Karaoke House / Man Office

Architects: Man Office
Area: 360 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Deed Studio
Lead Architects: Hossein Ebrahimzade
City: Mashhad
Country: Iran

Karaoke House residential project designed by Man Office in Mashhad, Iran reinterprets elements of 1970s Iranian architecture, focusing on durability, function, and craftsmanship rather than nostalgia. The project replaces synthetic materials with traditional ones like washed cement and small tiles, which require skilled labor and offer better thermal performance. Located in the Nakhrisi neighborhood, an underdeveloped area with a narrow alley and visual clutter, the design emphasizes facade closure for privacy and order, while enhancing natural light and ventilation inside. The spatial strategy centers on three vertically oriented elements: a double-height terrace-exhaust with a T-shaped lightwell and folding door for airflow and shading; a central void-overlook housing the main staircase and overlook windows that connect spaces without losing privacy; and two courtyards, one at the south edge and another on the second floor as a private terrace. These elements activate the vertical axis of the house and create layered, internal connections that address both contextual challenges and traditional spatial logic.

At the outset of designing this house, the architects sought to address a core question: how can the architectural strategies of past decades, specifically the 1970s Iranian residential typology, be reinterpreted for contemporary use? The goal was to move beyond nostalgic value judgments that evoke temporary emotional responses and instead revive and apply elements that have become obsolete due to the rise of mass production and economic pressures. These elements had previously played a key role in ensuring durability, functional clarity, and resistance to wear. One clear example in this project is the reintroduction of proper functional separation within the plan, along with the replacement of synthetic and resin-based materials with traditional alternatives such as washed cement, which demands skilled craftsmanship, and the use of small-format tiles, which offer improved performance in response to contraction and expansion.

The next phase of the design process addressed the specific contextual needs of the project. The house is located in the Nakhrisi neighborhood of Mashhad, an economically underdeveloped area. Considering the fragmented and visually unappealing urban fabric, along with the narrow width of the alley adjacent to the site, the architects determined that eliminating direct views from the interior to the exterior and maximizing facade enclosure would improve security and reduce visual disturbance within the home. This decision informed the development of three primary architectural elements, each focused on providing sufficient natural light and ventilation, establishing internal sightlines, and organizing spatial relationships.

The shared principle among these three elements lies in the activation of the Z-axis functionality within the house, derived from the project’s varying height levels:

1. Terrace-Exhaust: For the kitchen, positioned behind the facade, and the adjacent dining area, the architects designed a double-height terrace topped with a T-shaped structure that allows natural light to enter through a glass surface above while facilitating air circulation based on its form. In addition, a folding door was installed along the terrace’s outer edge to regulate light and airflow, enabling this multifunctional terrace to contribute meaningfully to the overall spatial quality of the interior.

2. Void-Overlook: The central void in the building introduces natural light, sky views, and a sense of the passage of time into the home, while also integrating two key architectural components. The main staircase connects the living, dining, and kitchen areas to the upper-level bedrooms, facilitating vertical circulation. In addition, the void features openings commonly referred to as snooping windows in 1970s architecture, here referred to as overlooks, which provide shadowed visual access between spaces. These overlooks maintain a degree of interconnection without compromising the autonomy and privacy of each individual area.

3. Two Courtyards: The design includes one courtyard on the southern side of the property and another terrace-courtyard located at the center of the second floor. The latter serves as a private sitting area, offering an outdoor space with a high level of enclosure and seclusion within the overall layout.