The villa on top of the valley

Location: Kelardasht County, Mazandaran Province, Iran

Client: Private

Material: Stone

Design date: 2021

Site area: 500m²

Built area: 250m²

Studio: Re.view studio

Architects: Nikta Setareh Sanj, Iraj Kasraie

Story:

Text provided by the architects:

The question that came up in the design phase of the project was “what makes a home a villa and how villa becomes a home?”

We planned to make the space a very comfortable living quarter, either built to fit our clients’ specific needs and requirements or bought as an already-built villa designed and constructed to meet the general needs of future clients. The reference  to “villa” is to create a space where not only we incorporate the physical and environmental needs of clients, but also satisfy aesthetic aspects of a retreat where the occupants would enjoy time with loved ones on weekends or holidays.

The villa should come across as a “home” for its occupants, and not a property to be seen and judged by others from a distance with comments such as “this is a villa owned by rich people”. The contractors requested us to ensure that viewers are not “blown away” by their first impression, but rather enjoy the harmony from multiple angels through a set of windows to the valley below. The intention was not to create a panorama but a picture frame focused on details of the valley below. This was equivalent to looking at a city from the top of the mountain, where one cannot distinguish the streets and alleyways, and sees only the entirety of the city. In this design, by using multiple windows, we tried to isolate the focus on the valley by using the stonewall which, in addition to serving as the perimeter of the property, is also the ideal location to serve as tripod (viewer eyes) to enjoy the scenary below.

Everything was focused on observing sunrise and sunset over the valley.

The rest was “old” architectural techniques!

Part of the note from our imaginary client:

I purchased this land with my savings many years ago with the dream of building a cozy villa for my family.  Even though it is on top of a rocky hill, this villa would be the ideal weekend getaway from normal, regular everyday life.

I want the villa to be special enough that it is not ordinary but not so over the top that it would be a target for people. It will be situated on the top of the hill for a panoramic view of the valley in the front with no barriers to the view.  The villa would act as an old camera installed on a tripod ready to capture everything.

I don’t know how to translate all my requests into your architectural language; however, we do have to keep in mind the budget.  I prefer to economize on the selection of materials without sacrificing the quality and workmanship.

Please keep in mind that we will not have an electricity connection and piped water is very expensive. Everyone local knows the problems with water.

Selected project of 100 best works of Villa Magazine Award 2021 - with participant code VA-0032