Cheshmandaz villa
Location: Isfahan, Iran
Architect:
Ghazaleh Hanaei
Client: Private
Material: Brick & Stone
Design date: 2023
Completion date: 2024
Site area: 900m2
Built area: 400m2
Architect: Ghazaleh Hanaei
Design Team: Mehrdad Keyhani, Ashkan Abbaspour, Abtin Akhlaghi, Kiana Sooran
Executive Manager: Pouria Shafiei
Styling: Dorsa Experience Design
Creative Director: Shahin Fatemi
Design Director: Ghazaleh Hanaei
Brand Design Director: Soheila Fathiyeh
Styling Team: Mitra Naghdi, Anahita Karimi, Anita Shirani
Furniture Design: Samaneh Farahmand Yeganeh
Engineering: Keyvan Mehrabian, Saba Nikkhah
Photography: Meysam Mir Zendedel
Story:
Text provided by the architect:
Cheshmandaz Villa is located in the tourist area of Qaleh Sarshir, approximately 26 kilometers southeast of Isfahan. The site enjoys a unique natural setting, defined by the presence of the Zayanderud River to the south, mountain ranges to the north, and expansive green plains that together create an ideal environment for a tranquil retreat. The surrounding recreational complex enhances the site’s appeal, offering amenities such as a playground, artificial fishing pond, cycling paths, play areas, a restaurant, and a supermarket.
The villa is situated on a 900-square-meter plot, with a clear north–south orientation toward the mountains and the river. This strong relationship with the landscape played a decisive role in shaping the architectural concept. The elongated east–west geometry of the site informed the development of a rectangular floor plan, articulated by a series of strategically placed voids along its length. These voids act as living frames, deliberately capturing views of the mountains and lush greenery while drawing the surrounding landscape into the interior spaces.
Architecturally, the design seeks to dissolve the boundary between indoor and outdoor environments, establishing a seamless dialogue with nature. Floor-to-ceiling glazing extends across the primary living spaces, transforming the surrounding garden and mountain vistas into ever-changing natural artworks. These expansive openings maximize daylight penetration throughout the day, while sliding glass doors enable the living areas to open directly onto the outdoor spaces, reinforcing a sense of continuity and immersion in the natural setting.
A defining feature of the villa is the swimming pool, positioned at the same level as the main living area. This deliberate alignment allows the pool to mirror the sky and landscape, visually extending the exterior into the interior and enhancing the project’s calm and contemplative atmosphere. The living room’s high ceilings further accentuate this effect, guiding the eye upward and outward toward the surrounding scenery.
Guided by the client’s vision, the project aims to provide a sanctuary away from the pressures of urban life—a place for relaxation, leisure, and social interaction. The villa encourages moments of gathering around an outdoor fireplace beneath the starlit skies of Pirbakran, swimming, or simply enjoying the region’s abundant sunlight. To support this lifestyle, the outdoor spaces were carefully composed, with the pool, outdoor living areas, and barbecue facilities thoughtfully integrated within dense vegetation, fostering a harmonious balance between architecture and nature.
The Cheshmandaz Villa represents a response to its natural context, seeking to establish a relationship between architecture and landscape. Through careful attention to spatial organization, orientation, and material transparency, the project aims to bring the surrounding environment into everyday experience.
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