ruhollah rasooli adds open verticality to introverted iranian city

architect ruhollah rasooli imagines his latest project, ‘the forgotten’ amidst the 7000 year-old city of kashan. as one of the most visited historical cities of iran, it has preserved a large part of its old architectural context. the introverted typology of the buildings turn the tourists’ and locals’ attention toward the interiors – full of intricacy and decoration. however, rasooli aims to challenge this notion and create a space that allows viewers to see the external shell and city fabric simultaneously with its rich interiors. 

rasooli’s design intends to closely view and examine the city fabric and its exterior surface while exploring the interior cultural pockets. the continuous straw surface that covers the wide range of interior activities, joins two separate worlds with contradictory characters: the dense and crowded interior against a peaceful exterior.

the in-between spaces grow from the interior’s core, and continue upwards cracking the shell at a height that overlooks the fluid, organic surface of the city. the vernacular shapes follow similar formal patterns found on the plans, and are now translated into vertical, connected spaces. the building features multiple stairways and elevators along with small recreational areas that can potentially redefine and expand throughout kashan.

the kashan bazaar and its surroundings are considered the project’s site. focal points providing great vistas are determined on plan and follies are placed in these areas. ruhollah rasooli’s proposed follies add a new layer of interaction between the city and the people by creating a connection between the inside and the outside, and the possibility of experiencing the two simultaneously.

project info:

architect: ruhollah rasooli

project name: the forgotten

location: kashan, iran