Hariri & Hariri Architecture is a New York-based multi-disciplinary architecture and design firm by Iranian-born Cornell-educated sisters Gisue Hariri and Mojgan Hariri. Today they are celebrated as two of the most accomplished women in American architecture and design and are described by critics as one of the most progressive and out-of-the-box firms currently working in the United States.

This project is private villa located on a steep, hilly area in the town of Lavasan, 30 minutes from Central Tehran, Iran. At its higher elevations, the site offers magnificent views of Jajrood Basin and the Alborz mountain range.

On top of the hill, above the property, are a series of postmodern and more traditional mansion lined-up, competing in size, visibility and of a multitude of finishes. The challenge of this project was to create a simple villa embedded in the topography that met the owners' desire for privacy while taking advantage of the surrounding views and enjoying the distant natural elements.

The project was to create a spacious main villa while allowing space for a large outdoor/indoor area a swimming pool. In addition to the main villa, an independent one bedroom guesthouse was designed including a living and dining area and a kitchenette. Also included on the west side of the property is a caretaker’s quarter over a two car garage, an elevator, as well as an open staircase connecting all levels of the house. The east side of the property is mainly an open grassy garden with a small tea pavilion and parking spaces for guests at the street level which is connected to the west side via an open bridge way.

Most of the guesthouse and the caretaker’s area is carved into the hillside, creating a three-story base or a podium for the main villa. Above this podium then sits the 2-story main villa in an L shape form with private indoor/ outdoor terrace and roof garden, and a swimming pool reminiscent of the Persian “Iwans” in traditional garden pavilions.

For additional photos of this project and to see additional work by the architects, visit the Hariri & Hariri Architecture website.

For further information email Hariri & Hariri Architecture via the contact details below.

See also:

Recovery of Iran’s housing market indicated

Iran horse lovers inspired villa, Entry to Venice Art Biennale for A House in Memory of Rostam project

Iran’s economic sanctions lifted and set to unlock USD 200 Billion worth of investments