About Villa Academy

December 7, 2024

Villa Academy

About

Background
The concept of the International Villa Academy™ was introduced to leading theorists in architecture, geography, history, sociology, psychology, and related fields by Amir Abbas Aboutalebi, principal architect at AA Design Atelier editor-in-chief of Villa magazine, in 2017. Driven by a desire to advocate for ideological reform within Iran's educational landscape, Villa Magazine—founded by Aboutalebi in 2015—conducted numerous architecture workshops. These workshops focused on enhancing competencies, fostering interactive learning among participants, and promoting practical engagement through innovative methodologies. They integrated various pedagogical elements into real-world projects with actual clients and challenges.
The Villa magazine workshops aimed to deliver a critical message to Iran's formalistic educational system, which is often resistant to innovative ideas and detrimental to the creative development and interaction of the new generation. Through these initiatives, the Academy seeks to challenge existing norms and encourage a more dynamic approach to education in the field of architecture.

About Villa Academy
Villa Academy is a private design school located in Tehran, Iran, offering a diverse array of programs and courses for individuals seeking advanced degrees and professional development in fields such as architecture, design, criticism, journalism, and design management.
The academy emphasizes pedagogical approaches that integrate both **vertical knowledge** and **horizontal skill development**. Its curriculum is crafted to provide students with a comprehensive education that merges theoretical insights with practical skills. Villa Academy promotes an open, collaborative environment, encouraging interaction among architects and students from various disciplines, with a particular focus on eco-architecture principles. This multidisciplinary approach fosters cross-collaboration and innovative thinking.
Villa Academy is committed to creating a supportive learning atmosphere that enhances moral character, personality, and social qualities. The programs center on individual villa projects that explore themes of health, well-being, sustainability, community, culture, innovation, tradition, affordability, and nature.
The academy's dedication to nurturing talent and delivering a holistic education positions it as a leading institution in the Middle East, particularly in the realm of experimental villas and future prototypes. Students have the opportunity to refine their skills, broaden their knowledge base, and contribute to the advancement of the design industry both regionally and globally. Experienced architects are invited to share their tacit knowledge through scholarly articles, books, and other publications.
Established in 2021 under the official name "Institute of Villa Architecture-Farhang Shahr," Villa Academy operates through a long-standing collaboration between Villa Magazine and the Farhang-Shahr Research Institute for Advanced Studies of Space and Environment. In 2024, the institute was rebranded back to Villa Academy under the authority of Villa Magazine.

Theorizing
The Theorizing section at Villa Academy is a platform dedicated to fostering intellectual growth and promoting critical thinking in the field of architecture and landscape design. As a leading institution in the Middle East, Villa Academy recognizes the importance of theoretical exploration and its impact on shaping the future of the design industry.
At Villa Academy, we believe in nurturing talent and providing a comprehensive education that goes beyond practical skills. Our focus on experimental houses and future prototypes allows students to push the boundaries of traditional design and explore innovative concepts.
Through the Theorizing section, we provide a space for experienced architects to share their tacit knowledge and insights. Esteemed professionals are invited to contribute to this platform through scholarly articles, books, and other publications. By sharing their expertise, they contribute to the advancement of the design industry not only in the region but also on a global scale.

Courses
VILLA-MBA
VILLA-DBA
THEORIZING
POSTDOC

Workshops
The Villa Academy workshops aim to foster a collaborative and trustworthy learning environment that enhances pedagogical skills, moral character, personality, and social qualities. Organized by Villa Magazine, these workshops comprise 10-15 groups and span a duration of 3-9 months.Advisors and Critics
Rana Zadeh: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Architecture (Concentration in Health Systems and Design). Negar Hakim: University Assistant Mag. Dr.phil.
Reza Assasi: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Architecture - History and Theory Hosna Pourhashemi: Ph.D., University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna & ETH Zurich, Sahar Farzanfar: Advanced Master of Applied Cybernetics, Behzad Sadat: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Mechanical Engineering, GSB Ignite, Program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Workshop Focus
The workshops center around the topic of Architecture, Conception to Completion, engaging participants in real projects with actual clients. They utilize a range of resources from local wisdom to modern knowledge to promote experimental learning.

Key Objectives
Skill Building: Enhance practical skills through real-world applications.
Problem-Solving: Tackle challenges collaboratively.
Knowledge Expansion: Increase understanding of architectural principles.
Systemic Change: Foster awareness of broader environmental and social contexts.
Personal Development: Encourage self-awareness and moral growth.

Activities
Participants engage in a variety of activities including:Experimenting Activities: Artwork, worksheets, physical modeling, site visits, lectures, discussions, and writing.
Planning Activities: Online collaboration, persona practice, quizzes, brainstorming solutions, and goal setting.

Workshop Environment
The workshops emphasize creating a supportive environment by:Arranging both physical and online spaces.
Fostering relationships and trust among participants.
Providing encouragement throughout the learning process.

Co-Facilitation Skills
Facilitators employ various skills such as reflecting, reinforcing, questioning, probing, paraphrasing, and self-disclosure to boost motivation and participation.

Additional Activities
The program includes group-sharing exercises, games, music sessions, storytelling, guided fantasies, and brainstorming activities to create a dynamic learning experience.

Timeline
The Villa Academy operated from 2017 to 2024, combining various pedagogical methods within Iran's educational context to foster a competitive environment. The winning project from these workshops is introduced to clients for the construction phase.

Prototype Status
The prototype status of the Villa Academy workshops is currently seeking funding as a startup model.

Villa Academy Award
The Villa Academy Prize is linked to the specific type of architecture, “Villa.” The prize is awarded irrespective of nationality, race, creed, or ideology to a living pioneer spirit (an architect or an architecture firm) who has dedicated his career to developing an “architectural dialect”, "practicing and experimenting" villa-discourse or a “contemporary manifestation” according to the purposes of the award.
Nominations are accepted internationally from diverse fields who have a knowledge of and interest in the villa-ideology / idea of the villa; a utopian setting for conversations of “architectural inventions.” The “Literary Production” of architecture or the “Writing Architecture.”
The Executive Director actively solicits nominations from past laureates, architects, academics, critics, politicians, professionals involved in cultural endeavors, and persons of diverse fields who have expertise and interest in the field of architecture.

Founder & Director
Amir Abbas Aboutalebi
Author, Experimental Architect at AA Atelier & Editor-in-chief at Villa Magazine

Honorary Advisors
Rana zadeh
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Architecture (Concentration in Health Systems and Design)

Negar Hakim
Univ.Ass. Mag. Dr.phil.

Reza Assasi
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Architecture - History and Theory

Hosna Pourhashemi
Ph.D. University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna & ETH Zurich

Sahar Farzanfar
Advanced Master of Applied Cybernetics

Behzad Sadat
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Mechanical Engineering, , GSB Ignite, Program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

-------------------------------------------------------

Design & Graphics
Trettestyket 16, 1388 Bergen, Norway
Email
villaacademy.ir@gmail.com
Phone
+98 (0)21 880 24 706
WhatsApp
+98 933 169 1433
Telegram
+98 933 169 1433
Instagram
@villa_academy

-------------------------------------------------------