The project’s primary design methodology began with an investigation of architectural history of bazaars in Iran and the city of Mash-had. Since time immemorial, the unbreakable bond between the city bazaars and the foundations of the economy has led to bazaars taking on an important and consistent role in people’s daily lives.
The principal morphology of the design is inspired by bazaars such as Sar-Shoor, Farsh and Reza. Among the key characteristics of such bazaars is the porch-like entrance hall that, similar to the main portal, guides the pedestrians inside. Individual arches and porches all ultimately lead to the bazaar’s main entrance. Using vaults and arches to cover large openings is yet another visual characteristic of bazaars.
Tagh Behesht is located in Mash-had, Iran. The project’s site has great potential to become an urban hub, given its proximity to one of Mash-had’s largest public parks which encourages and invites visitors of all ages. At the same time, its strategic geography allows it for it to become a major attraction for tourists and visitors of nearby countries since Nation Park is among Mash-had’s first tourist attractions, inviting many travelers and tourists every year.
One of the main ideas in the project’s future design is connections to the city using pedestrian bridges to create safe and enjoyable walkways. The important principal behind the design of such bridges is to incorporate nature and green spaces as platforms situated in different areas around the project to produce a more pleasant experience and a net positive environmental effect. These bridges, acting as pedestrian footpaths, present a new city experience for visitors by creating a different perspective of the city away from traffic.
The flat middle garden much like a city junction is the intersection between all suspended pedestrian bridges, which invites the city in, eventually connecting the remaining business floors and bazaars. This garden acts as the project’s main connection hub and is the promenade ultimately allowing circulation between the project and the bridges. The public garden floors much like the bridges extend the available views, improving the relationship between the business units and the visitors.
One of the more interesting components of this project is the suspended courtyards in between the office areas which provide a green space for all floors and business units as well as sufficient and direct light for office spaces. Our main concern in designing such green spaces was to ensure proper distance between current business units so as to allow for a beautiful and open landscape; a design concern which has never been considered in any of the Iran’s current office building designs. The general typology and shape of this void is such that it is in continuation of the main layered garden without providing direct public access.
