Project Description
In 2019, Abadsazan entrusted us with the redesign of the landscape surrounding their flagship tower in Tehran’s prestigious Niavaran district. Our vision focused on preserving the existing vegetation and weaving the new landscape design seamlessly into the area’s natural character.
Nestled at the foothills of the Alborz Mountains, Niavaran has long enjoyed a cooler, pleasant climate during Tehran’s hot summers, attracting affluent residents seeking a tranquil retreat. Just a few decades ago, the district was dotted with lush orchards and elegant villa homes—now a rarity, as rapid urban expansion has consumed much of its green heritage.
By the time we joined the project, the tower and parts of the hardscape were already built, as we were brought in during the final stages of construction. From the outset, it became clear we were facing a long list of constraints. Most notably, significant portions of the landscape—particularly the roof garden—had already been constructed according to a pre-existing plan and could not be altered. Additionally, we were required to work with building materials that had already been purchased for the original design. This posed a major challenge, as we had little to no control over the color, texture, or overall aesthetic of these materials.
As is often the case with residential landscape projects in Iran, both the budget and timeline were tight. The site was surrounded by tall towers, limiting sunlight and significantly narrowing our palette to shade-tolerant plants. On top of that, the remaining space designated for landscaping was scattered with existing trees placed without any cohesive pattern. While we were committed to preserving them, these trees had suffered from poor maintenance during construction—some were partially dried out, others severely pollarded.
Establishing a new planting scheme amid these disorganized and damaged trees proved extremely difficult. Any new additions risked appearing disconnected and visually unappealing alongside the neglected existing vegetation.
Existing design
The first step we took was to assess the existing design, which allocated most of the yard to paved surfaces and confined greenery to a series of relatively small planting beds arranged around the existing trees.
Our proposal
We successfully persuaded our client to allow us to merge the fragmented green beds into a single, expansive planting area stretching across the full width of the site facing the tower. This transformation allowed the remnants of what was once a lush orchard to reestablish a visual and symbolic dialogue with the building and its new residents.
To define the boundary between the green space and the paved area, we introduced a sinuous, serpent-shaped seating wall. In the prehistoric cultures of Iran, serpents were revered as powerful guardians—symbols of life, immortality, fertility, water, and prosperity. Even today, the image of a treasure protected by a snake remains deeply rooted in collective memory.
Drawing on this rich symbolism, we designed the serpent-like wall not only as a functional seating element but also as a metaphorical protector—guarding what we believe to be the heart of the residence: the preserved green space.
We also incorporated a lawn within this area, creating a versatile open space suitable for various activities such as dog walking and casual play. The lawn gently transitions into a shaded seating area, surrounded by shade-tolerant plants, flowering species, and trees—offering a quiet retreat within the limited greenery.
This seating zone was deliberately shaped to resemble a tongue extending from the building into the green space—a subtle, symbolic gesture. It suggests that in the ongoing struggle between urban development and nature, the building always finds a way to assert dominance.
Due to existing infrastructure constraints, integrating water features was not feasible, as the utility systems could not be modified at that stage of construction.
The elongated seating wall also serves as a clear boundary between the paved area and the green space. To accommodate children’s play—particularly bike riding—we widened the pedestrian pathway and seamlessly integrated it with the playground. This design allows for both circulation and play to occur in harmony within the same space. By thoughtfully combining compatible activities, we were able to maximize the efficiency of the layout and preserve a larger portion of the site for greenery.
VIEW TO FRONT YARD
Entrance
Designing the building entrance presented a significant challenge, as it had to reconcile two levels with sharply contrasting slopes: a steep road with a 10% incline and a moderately sloped pedestrian walkway at around 2%. Complicating matters further, we had minimal space to work with and were limited to travertine slabs—an inflexible material compared to concrete.
Our solution was a thoughtful combination of ramps and steps: ramps were used adjacent to the sloping road to facilitate smooth transitions, while steps addressed the elevation changes where needed. The entrance area was divided into three key zones: vehicular access and parking entry, pedestrian access and main entry, and a welcoming green space with a flowerbed.
The generous height and width of the entrance not only resolved functional constraints but also gave the space a sense of elegance and prominence—setting the tone for the entire residence.
VIEW TO FRONT YARD
Backyard
In the fully shaded backyard, we created another green focal point, accompanied by a seating wall that gradually widens at one end—forming a semi-circular space where groups can sit together near the coffee shop. Though relatively compact at 1,000 square meters, the yard serves multiple purposes: it’s a space for residents to gather, play, walk, and relax. Seating options are thoughtfully distributed throughout the landscape—near the coffee shop, within the green areas, and in the open yard in front of the lobby.
To ensure visual harmony, we aligned all landscape lines with the architectural geometry of the building, reinforcing cohesion throughout the entire design.
Plant Palette
A diverse mix of shade-tolerant and ornamental species was selected to enrich the landscape with seasonal color, texture, and structure. Some of the key plants used in this project include:
Cornus sanguinea, Ophiopogon jaburan, Daphne odora, Canna indica, Nandina domestica, Phormium tenax, Juniperus horizontalis, Yucca spp., Acer negundo, and Aucuba japonica.
[1] Taheri, Sadreddin (2015). “Inversion of a Symbol’s concept”. Tehran: Honarhay-e Ziba Journal, Vol. 20, No. 3.
ENTRANCE
Gallery/ Design process:
