Kerman Cultural Center and Exhibition of Underground Treasures

The project, located near the historic Malek Mosque in Kerman—a prominent Seljuk-era monument—and the Sheikh Al-Islam Bathhouse. Situated at the crossroads of these foundational elements, the design seeks to enhance social interactions while seamlessly integrating with the historical context.

The location is situated on a site that has undergone significant demolition and neglect due to urban development despite housing substantial monuments such as the Sheikh Al-Islam Bathhouse and the historic Malik Mosque.

The project's architecture has been developed with a comprehensive approach, integrating influential layers into the design process. In other words, the design, with a deep understanding of the project's context, relies on a development strategy that addresses the needs of the local community and the surrounding site context.

In the design process, we concluded that one of the most suitable responses to the site is a project characterized by landscape and open space, with a focus on development at the interface. Therefore, to achieve a harmonious form, we superimposed an aerial image from 1956 (Gregorian calendar) onto the floor plan, to create a representative view of the original historical context, including courtyards, coverings, and pathways, while reflecting the architectural character of the past.

The majority of the project is embedded underground to respect the historical integrity of the Malek Mosque while providing an area on the ground floor for social interaction. This approach also facilitates a connection with the historical Sheikh Al-Islam Bathhouse.The courtyards designed to provide natural light to the complex, with windows surrounding them on the lower level, offer a new interpretation of the central courtyard.

Overall, the project seeks to enrich the understanding of the valuable site by stimulating the audience's emotions through innovative interpretations of Iranian architectural spaces, complemented by formal and conceptual references .