General Information

Project Name: Echo box

Architecture Firm: BMDesign Studios (BMDS)

Firm Location: Iran/ Tehran

Completion Year: 2020

Project location: Tehran

Designer: Babak Mostofi Sadri

Fabrication: Mr. Khalaji

Photo credits:  Soha Khazaei Poul

This 700-square-meter rooftop garden offers a serene escape for sunbathing and evening gatherings beneath the canopy of large willow trees, providing a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Our design aimed to create a shaded area with a strong sense of enclosure, ensuring intimacy and tranquility.

With fewer environmental constraints related to light, we had more flexibility in choosing plant species, but the existing design posed limitations on what we could alter. To ensure that the large willow trees, which will eventually dominate the roof garden, had ample space to grow, we raised the flower beds accordingly.

General Information

Project Name: Niavaran roof garden

Architecture Firm: BMDesign Studios, Babak Mostofi Sadri

Firm Location: Iran/ Tehran

Completion Year: 2020

Gross Built Area: 700 square meters yard,

Project location: Tehran

Lead Landscape Architects: Babak Mostofi Sadri

Design Team: Fattaneh Khalili, Nahid Rastegar

Photo credits:  Negar Agha Ali Tari

Photographer’s e-mail: Tarinegar@gmail.com

Planting contractor: Mr Alipour

Clients: Abadsazan Iran

Design delivery Architect & Interior Designer: Hamed Soltani

Client’s project manager: Amir Akbarpur

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.

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.

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.

Gallery/ Design process:

General Information

Project Name: Serpent

Landscape Architecture Firm: BMDesign Studios, Babak Mostofi Sadri

Website: https://bmdesignstudios.com/

Contact e-mail: info@bmdesignstudios.com

Firm Location: Iran/ Tehran

Completion Year: 2020

Gross Built Area:

1000 square meters yard,

Project location: Tehran

Lead Landscape Architect: Babak Mostofi Sadri

Design Team: Fattaneh Khalili, Nahid Rastegar

Photo credits:  Negar Agha Ali Tari , Babak M Sadri               

Photographer’s website: http://www.negartari.com/

Photographer’s e-mail: Tarinegar@gmail.com

Planting contractor: Mr Alipour

Clients: Abadsazan Iran

Design delivery architect & interior designer: Hamed Soltani

Client’s project manager: Amir Akbarpur

As morning sunlight filters through the large glass window, it scatters luminous patterns into the air, imbuing the central void with a serene sense of grandeur.

Nestled in the lush, green foothills of the northern Iranian mountains, Villa Modern Gali offers a contemporary reinterpretation of the region’s traditional homes, known as “Galipoush-Khaneh.”

It offers a variety of semi-open spaces, promoting natural ventilation throughout the home.

COMPARISON OF THE OLD, AND THE MODERN

Villa Modern Gali
Contemporary Reinterpretation of Traditional Iranian Architecture

Nestled in the lush, green foothills of northern Iran, Villa Modern Gali offers a contemporary reinterpretation of the region’s traditional homes, known as “Galipoush-Khaneh.” This design seamlessly integrates with the natural landscape, providing a harmonious blend of modern living and traditional architectural elements.​

Design Philosophy
The villa embraces a multi-disciplinary approach, incorporating architecture, landscape architecture, lighting design, and engineering. This collaborative methodology ensures effective coordination across all disciplines, resulting in a cohesive and high-quality design. The use of in-house expertise fosters a common working practice, enhancing the overall project execution.​

Sustainable Architecture
A key feature of the villa is its sustainable design, which includes the innovative use of concave roofs. These double-layered, steeply sloped roofs collect rainwater and morning dew, contributing to the building’s water supply and reducing reliance on external sources. This approach aligns with BMDesign Studios’ commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.​

Interior and Landscape Integration
The villa’s interior spaces are designed to maintain a visual relationship with the surrounding green areas, enhancing the connection between indoor and outdoor environments. The landscape design complements the architecture, creating a cohesive living experience that celebrates the natural beauty of the site.​

in short
Villa Modern Gali exemplifies BMDesign Studios’ dedication to innovative, sustainable, and contextually sensitive architecture. By reimagining traditional forms through a modern lens, the villa offers a unique living experience that honors the past while embracing the future.

PROJECT INFO:

AREA: 660 SQM

LEAD DESIGNER: BABAK MOSTOFI  SADRI

DESIGN TEAM: ZAHRA NOORI, DENA LEVI BAKHTIARI, FATEMEH MONFARED

DETAIL DESIGN: ZAHRA NOORI

STRUCTURE: ALI KARAMI

MEP: FARHAD AHMADI GROUP

CLIENT: FARHAD JAVAN

MODEL: DENA LEVI BAKHTIARI

STATUS: UNDER CONSTRUCTION

The expansive south-facing glass facade, equipped with insulated glazing, welcomes abundant natural light while offering sweeping views of the cherry orchard and the surrounding mountains. On the ground floor, the open communal areas flow into a hallway that leads to a cozy library and a small kitchen on the first floor. Both bedrooms are designed to take full advantage of the picturesque front landscape, with large windows framing views of the orchard and seamlessly connecting the indoor spaces to the serene outdoor environment.

The villa’s exterior is primarily finished in concrete, offering a modern, minimalist aesthetic. Exceptionally, the sloped roof features a double skin design, with the upper layer composed of cutting-edge, invisible Tesla solar cells. This innovative roofing system creates a continuous, expansive surface for solar panels, positioned 30 cm above the roof. This double-skin design not only enhances the building’s energy efficiency but also integrates sustainable technology in a visually discreet and seamless way.