Tamrin Space Cultural Center by Bahador Kashani Madani is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Bronze A' Design Award in Interior Space and Exhibition Design Competition Category.
BronzeInterior· 2025
Tamrin Space Cultural Center
Client: Tamrin Space
Bronze A' Design Award Winner in Interior Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #164128The Design
About Tamrin Space Cultural Center
The design approach focused on maximizing the potential of the existing building, aligning spatial divisions with the client's requirements, and enhancing functionality. By carefully evaluating access, views, and vistas, the layout offers fluid movement through different areas while providing spaces for pauses and interaction. Accessibility for disabled individuals, along with natural light and ventilation, were prioritized to create a welcoming and inclusive environment. The final design integrates aesthetics with functionality, offering a harmonious and versatile space.
The Recognition
About the Bronze A' Design Award
Tamrin Space Cultural Center is a Bronze A' Design Award winner, a highly prestigious recognition granted to outstanding designs distinguished by creativity, ingenuity, and astuteness. Bronze winners are amply skillful and strikingly creative artifacts that authenticate the vast experience, imagination, and resourcefulness of their designers. Tamrin Space Cultural Center is expected to be a highly regarded, admired, and cherished object that is notably professional and innovative. This Bronze A' Design Award-winning design incorporates best practices in art, science, design, and technology, and is excellent for its attention to detail. Tamrin Space Cultural Center splendidly satisfies needs, touches desires, charms feelings, and appeals to curiosity.
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We transform spaces into functional works of art, specializing in cultural venues, commercial interiors, and luxury projects. Our designs prioritize natural light, accessibility, and authentic materials to create environments that inspire and endure.
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Design Interview
What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
The main idea was to preserve and continue the life of an old building rather than demolishing it and building anew. We wanted to respect its history, character, and imperfections while giving it a new life and purpose.
What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
Our main focus was to preserve the identity and character of the existing building while transforming it into a functional and inspiring space for artists to work, practice, and create.
What are your future plans for this award winning design?
My hope is simply that Tamrin Space continues to live and evolve as a home for artists, while preserving the character and identity of the original building.
Grand Interview
Your innovative approach to natural light in Tamrin Space Cultural Center, particularly the full-height void and glass floor design, has created a remarkable atmosphere - could you elaborate on how this central feature influences the daily activities and user experiences within the space?
One of the primary goals in the renovation of the Tamrin Space was to preserve the authenticity of the original structure with minimal intervention. However, the introduction of a full-height vertical void with a glass floor and glass handrail was a carefully considered solution to a key challenge: the lack of natural light in many interior areas. This light well channels daylight deep into the lower levels, significantly reducing reliance on artificial lighting and creating a visual and spatial connection between floors. Through this subtle yet purposeful intervention, the overall spatial quality and user experience were greatly enhanced—without compromising the building’s original character.
The restoration of Tamrin Space Cultural Center beautifully preserves historical elements while introducing modern functionality - what inspired your decision to maintain and showcase elements like the soot-stained bricks and vaulted ceilings, and how does this connection to the past enhance the cultural experience?
Our design philosophy for the Tamrin Space was deeply rooted in respecting the building’s historical legacy while adapting it to meet contemporary needs. Features such as the soot-stained bricks and vaulted ceilings are not merely architectural details; they are tangible narratives that embody the building’s stories and character.At first glance, the old soot-blackened cavities—originally designed to channel smoke from oil heaters—might have seemed like elements to be concealed. However, by deliberately exposing them, we revealed a lesser-known part of the building’s history and heritage. Preserving and showcasing these features was essential to creating an authentic atmosphere that invites visitors to connect with the cultural legacy embedded within the space.This connection to the past enriches the cultural experience by creating a layered environment where history and modernity coexist harmoniously. It allows users to feel a sense of continuity and respect for tradition while engaging with the innovative and dynamic functions of the restored center. In this way, the building becomes a living museum—a place where memory, culture, and contemporary creativity intersect and inspire.
The structural reinforcement of Tamrin Space Cultural Center presented significant engineering challenges - could you share insights into how the integration of shear walls and unified foundation system has contributed to both the building's longevity and its artistic functionality?
Given that the project is located in Tehran—a city crisscrossed by numerous active earthquake faults—ensuring the building’s future resilience was paramount in breathing new life into this historic structure. Structural integrity was therefore a key focus of the restoration.The integration of shear walls and a unified foundation system addressed seismic and load-bearing demands effectively, securing the building’s longevity and safety. Shear walls provide critical lateral stability against seismic forces, while the unified foundation evenly distributes loads, minimizing differential settlement and structural stress.Importantly, special attention was paid to the architectural expression of these structural elements. Most of the new concrete shear walls, as well as many of the steel beams and columns, were deliberately left exposed, harmonizing engineering functionality with the building’s aesthetic. This careful integration preserved the openness and fluidity of the interior spaces, striking a balance between rigorous engineering and artistic vision.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- The architecture of the Tamrin Space encompasses everything that embodies value and authenticity, acknowledging that nothing lasts forever and nothing is ever complete. The design seeks to create an environment where the details are precise and hidden, appreciating the subtle beauty that exists in the simplicity and authenticity of the elements.The final plan was developed by considering access, views, and vistas, as well as spaces for pauses and divisions, accessibility for disabled individua
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Total Land Area: 365 sqm
Area of Construction: 525 sqm - Tags
- Persian, Modern, Music, Theater, performance, Handmade Tile, Cafe,
- Production Technology
- One of the most significant changes made to the building was the introduction of natural light into the center of
the structure through a skylight on the roof and the creation of a full-height void from the roof to the ground floor.
This void, featuring a glass floor on the second level and open with a glass railing on the first level, directs light to
the garden situated beneath the void. As a result, all areas of this project benefit from natural light. In the design
of new volumes and elements, such as the central garden on the ground floor, the layout of the café tiles, and the
restrooms, inspiration was drawn from the existing shapes and elements of the building. The volumes that form
the café counters, reception counters, and library were all made from plaster, designed to appear as if they
emerged from the walls themselves. A meticulous and restrained use of materials in various sections, along with
efforts to restore and repair the existing elements of the building, aimed to preserve its authenticity and identity. - Design Challenge
- A significant amount of time was spent on reinforcing the building's structure. On the foundation, bending bars combined with concrete beams created a unified foundation system, which was connected to the existing structure using dowel bars. Additionally, considering the moisture in the foundation and to prevent rising damp in the building's walls, a drainage channel (drainage trench) was installed in front of the foundation. All walls, floors, and ceilings were reinforced and strengthened. Two shear walls were added to the structural system in the east-west direction, and three shear walls were added in the north-south direction.
- Research
- One of the most significant changes made to the building was the introduction of natural light into the center of the structure through a skylight on the roof and the creation of a full-height void from the roof to the ground floor. This void, featuring a glass floor on the second level and open with a glass railing on the first level, directs light to the garden situated beneath the void. As a result, all areas of this project benefit from natural light. In the design of new volumes and elements, such as the central garden on the ground floor, the layout of the café tiles, and the restrooms, inspiration was drawn from the existing shapes and elements of the building. The volumes that form the café counters, reception counters, and library were all made from plaster, designed to appear as if they emerged from the walls themselves. A meticulous and restrained use of materials in various sections, along with efforts to restore and repair the existing elements of the building, aimed to preserve its authenticity and identity. Even in areas where imperfections were left intentionally untouched, the building's original character was maintained. The age and passage of time were showcased by revealing the brickwork of the vaulted ceilings and the soot-stained bricks along the old chimney route. Alongside the library window, which benefited from controlled light due to the proximity of a mature mulberry tree in the yard, a cozy space for sitting and reading was created.
- Inspiration
- The project's client had a clear and defined vision of the desired space even before selecting the project building. They described this space as follows: Tamrin Space is the dream of having an independent house for a group of music and theater artists. It’s about enjoying working together and engaging in artistic activities in a space meticulously designed and prepared for such experiences.
- Project Duration
- The design of project started in December 2020 in Tehran and construction is finished in November 2022 in Tehran.
- Operation Flow
- The outcome of this project is a dynamic and multifunctional space that aligns perfectly with the activities taking place within it. On the other hand, a valuable house in one of Tehran's cultural neighborhoods has been properly restored and renovated, enabling it to continue its life for many more years. The building’s proximity to significant cultural and artistic centers, such as the City Theater and Roudaki Hall, is in complete harmony with its function, and it can serve as an inspiring example for other buildings in the area that are threatened with demolition.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Mohammad Hasan Ettefagh
Image #2: Photographer Mohammad Hasan Ettefagh
Image #3: Photographer Mohammad Hasan Ettefagh
Image #4: Photographer Mohammad Hasan Ettefagh
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