Iran’s tradition of carpet-making illustrates its legacy of transforming simple materials into valued items. For generations, Iranian artisans have spun wool into intricate carpets using natural dyes and creative designs. These carpets are integral to everyday life, serving as spaces for sitting, eating, sleeping, and hosting guests. This tradition of turning basic resources into multifunctional objects has shaped a culture of adaptability and resourcefulness. However, the advent of the oil industry shifted the focus towards consumerism, leading to environmental degradation and a departure from sustainable architecture practices.

In the heart of Hormuz Island, nestled in the Persian Gulf in Tehran, the Center for Handy Skills seeks to revive these age-old values through a pioneering approach to architecture. Designed by Iran-based ZAV Architects, the centre is a testament to the potential of "Type-less" architecture — a concept that champions flexibility, sustainability, and local engagement. The design eschews fixed typologies in favour of spaces that can transform in response to user requirements. This educational building is a two-storey platform designed to adapt spatially to future needs, mirroring the versatile nature of Iranian carpets.

The story of Type-less began with a desire to reintroduce sustainable practices in the country’s oil-dependent economy. Excessive resource consumption driven by wealth had led to a construction boom characterised by demolition and new builds, often at the expense of environmental health. ZAV Architects envisioned a shift towards a circular economy that prioritises recycling, zero-waste, and the creative use of discarded materials.

Hormuz Island presented a unique challenge and opportunity for their vision. The most abundant material found in the region were cement blocks, a staple in local construction. These blocks, along with a concrete structure and scaffolding, became the primary components of the building. The low-tech approach allowed the creation of a structure that can evolve with minimal demolition, echoing the adaptability of traditional crafts found in Iranian architecture.

"One can think of it [cement blocks] as the new local material”, share the architects. This perspective honours local traditions and also leverages the skills and resources already present in the community.

Delving deeper into the design of the Center for Handy Skills, one can see how its structural and functional elements intertwine to create a cohesive whole. The building’s concrete architecture serves as the backbone, supporting a unified slab that allows spatial units to be constructed anywhere on its plane. This flexibility enables modifications to the dimensions, positions, and relationships of open and closed spaces without major demolition.

Another distinct feature is the scaffolding structure, which creates an adjustable, independent circulation system. This scaffolding ensures that every corner of the building is accessible, promoting fluid movement and adaptability. It also supports the canopy roof, which acts like an umbrella to protect the spaces beneath from precipitation, further freeing them from the necessity of heavy insulation.

The construction of the building didn’t come without challenges. The team had to contend with the island's harsh climate, including extreme winds and storms. The canopy roof was designed to provide natural ventilation and protect the spaces beneath from structural constraints. Despite these precautions, high winds sometimes caused the roof to make loud noises, underscoring the importance of ongoing adaptation and resilience in design. Yet, including empty corridors between closed spaces in its design, effectively reduced the average temperature by up to 14 degrees Celsius, demonstrating its suitability for the local climate.

The centre also faced the realities of environmental challenges such as floods and storms. The island, which is a salt dome 30 metres above sea level, provided a naturally elevated site. The project area was well-drained, enhancing its resilience to flooding. The architects even began contemplating future designs that could float on water, further exploring the concept's potential in response to rising sea levels.

Structural integrity was a paramount concern, especially given the unconventional design elements. A structural engineer meticulously calculated the load-bearing capacities of the concrete structure and scaffolding. The safety and durability of the building were tested through real-world events, including recent earthquakes and storms, proving the robustness of this approach.

The architects at ZAV are embracing innovative approaches in their work. Their ethos treads on creating spaces that meet the vision and society’s needs. By integrating economic viability with social responsibility, they strive to go beyond traditional architecture, prioritising impactful projects over expensive ones. The name, ZAV, reflects their dedication to altruism and meaningful solutions to designs that build national self-confidence. This is relevant in developing countries, where practical and community architecture can make a difference.

In designing the project, the Iranian architects were mindful of preserving the island’s cultural heritage while embracing modern innovations. They focused on the island's present-day life rather than solely on its historical past. This perspective allowed them to uncover an authentic, accessible heritage that informed their innovative designs. The resulting education architecture resonates with both historical and contemporary sensibilities, ensuring relevance and meaning for the local community.

Looking ahead, the practice envisions vast potential for Type-less architecture. The concept’s main strength lies in its adaptability. This openness to evolution allows for continuous improvement and responsiveness to changing needs and circumstances.

Summing up their vision for the future, the architects tell STIR, “We see vast potential for the development of ‘type-less’ architecture, particularly in terms of material and structure. The concept is still in its early stages of development, suggesting numerous possibilities for growth and evolution in all aspects of design."

The Center for Handy Skills is more than just a building; it is a model that showcases the possibility of blending sustainable design with modern architectural needs. It demonstrates how knowledge and local materials can be harnessed to create adaptable, resilient structures that serve the community while respecting the environment. This approach not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the groundwork for future innovations in sustainable architecture.

In a world facing the dual crises of climate change and environmental degradation, this concept offers a promising path forward. It challenges the conventional paradigms of construction and urban development. The question now is, how can we make these principles integrate into mainstream architecture to build a more sustainable and resilient world? 

Project Details

Name: Type-less Building | Center for Handy Skills
Location: Hormuz Island, Iran
Client: Ehsan Rasoulof
Gross Built Area: 572 sqm
Architect: ZAV architects
Firm Location: Tehran, Iran
Lead Architects: Mohamadreza Ghodousi, Fateme Rezaei Fakhr, Golnaz Bahrami, Hanieh Alizadeh
Design Team: Payman Barkhordari, Sheila Ehsaie, Soroush Majidi, Azin Ravayee
Graphic & Illustration: Somayeh Saeedi
Supervision: Payman Barkhordari, Soroush Majidi
Structure Engineer: Jalal Tabatabaei, Farhad Beygi
Mechanical Engineer: Gholamreza Maleki
Electrical Engineer: Pejman Moradian
Construction: Amir Tehrani Nobahari
Construction team: Hormat Ghasemi, Nabi Timas, Ayub Hormozi, Kamboojiye Poshtgol, Ramin Koolaghani, Javad Irandegani, Aref Gholami, Khosro Heb, Farzad Moharami, Davoud Meimandi, Abbas Gederi, Assad Gederi, Mojtaba Moalemi, Rahmat Ghalandari, Mohammad Moalemi, Zabih Zarnegari, Mehdi Rahimi - Javad Gederi, Hamid Khezr