
Mashhad Council
Location:
Year:
Status:
Program:
Project Leader:
Architect:
Mashhad
2020
Competition Entry
Council/ Retail
Husein Yassin
Karam Jebara
In this very challenging plot , sloped narrow and long in a densely built area, the challenge was to place the large program without creating a massive building that will harm the urban environment around it.
Our proposal uses curved surfaces that undulate along the street creating a dynamic facade. Towards the centre of the plot the lower masses recede, and the sidewalk widens to create an open public space partially covered by the cantilevering upper floor. The buildings atrium, its main entrance and the retail spaces all face this small plaza. There is continuity from the atrium to this outside space, a democratic gesture that gives it more significance, the interior of the council that is meant to serve the public interest is both seen and felt from the outside.

The facade is made of a pattern of long and narrow windows, the thickness of the wall prevents direct sunlight penetrating the building from the east. This dense pattern of slits combined with the smoothly curved surface gives a very dynamic and monumental outlook to the building. Unique and vital in what is supposed to be the most important public building in a town lacking and so much in need for a collective public identity and culture.
