HOUSE No. 04 (BUILT)

Designed and Represented by Mohammad Moezzi in 2019,

Constructed Partially by Mohammad Moezzi until 2019, and after by NET Architects in 2020

Nofel Street, one of Mashhad’s fast-growing residential areas, reflects the challenges of modern urbanization: high density, overlooked privacy, and fragmented green spaces. In response, House No. 04 reinterprets the principles of Iranian courtyard architecture to restore spatial harmony, privacy, and connectivity within a modern context.

At the heart of the project lies the concept of inward-focused spaces. Like traditional courtyards, the design uses an internal void as its organizing element, creating a layered spatial sequence. The building’s internal empty space, akin to a central hayat (courtyard), is carefully positioned to encourage movement and interaction. To access this void, one must pass through surrounding rooms, evoking the darakht (threshold) experience of traditional Iranian houses. This spatial journey establishes a hierarchy between mass and void, fostering a rhythm of enclosure and openness deeply tied to regional architectural traditions.

Two axes of access structure the layout. A horizontal axis connects semi-public areas, such as the lobby, to the main staircase, while a vertical axis links different levels of the house, offering openness and spatial variation reminiscent of multi-tiered courtyards.

The design is divided into two complementary volumes: the primary modular structure with limited openings, constructed from brick and concrete, and an attached eastern plane. This secondary plane acts as a buffer, shielding the house from surrounding mid-rise apartments and linear green spaces, while enhancing human-scale proportions for the entrance.

By integrating spatial hierarchy, controlled thresholds, and brick’s timeless materiality, House No. 04 recreates the serenity, adaptability, and privacy of traditional Iranian courtyard architecture, offering a contemporary solution firmly grounded in regional principles.