Kohravan Villa | Hypertext Architecture Studio | Khosrovans, Iran

Dialogue Between Architecture and Landscape

Located on the rocky slopes of Zarin-Kouh, the Kohravan Villa by Hypertext Architecture Studio presents a striking response to the dramatic topography. Rather than imposing its form onto the land, the villa weaves itself into it—carefully carved terraced levels following the contours of the mountain. This approach transforms constraints into creativity, creating a unified whole between natural and constructed forms.

Terraced Design: Carving Space from the Mountain

The steep terrain posed both a challenge and an opportunity. As the villa borders a protected natural zone, where construction is restricted, the architects adopted a strategy of minimal impact. The building unfolds across three stepped levels, each embedded into the slope, maintaining a balance between excavation volume and usable space.

This terraced organization also enabled architects to comply with local building regulations while maintaining a maximum height of 10.5 meters, distributing the program vertically across three floors—first, second and third levels.

Spatial Composition and Functional Zoning

Each level of the Kohravan Villa is uniquely adapted to function and topography:

• Lower Level: houses parking and jacuzzi, opening directly to the courtyard, ensuring privacy and connection with nature.

• Mid Level: dedicated to private areas, such as bedrooms and family rooms, combining seclusion with natural light.

• Upper Level: contains public zones, including the main living room and dining area, oriented toward expansive mountain views.

As the building volume increases upward, design emphasizes openness and transparency, framing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape while maintaining thermal comfort through a partially buried base.

Light, Air and Central Courtyard

One of the most ingenious elements in the project is the central space, carved from the southeast facade. This spatial void serves multiple functions—penetrating light inside, improving ventilation and visually connecting all three levels through a vertical sequence of spaces:

• On the lower level, the space becomes a main staircase, linking internal circulation to the terrain.

• On the mid level, it forms a courtyard, adding greenery and natural light to private zones.

• On the upper level, it transforms into an atrium, opening the interior to sky and reinforcing the vertical rhythm of the house.

This continuous void defines the villa's identity, acting as both a structural mediator and poetic center.

Material Duality: Earth and Stone

The Kohravan Villa architecture expresses a dialogue between mass and void, earth and structure. Stones excavated from the site were reused for fencing and landscaping, tying the project to its geological context. The villa itself is clad in scratched white stone, deliberately contrasting with the darker natural stone. This juxtaposition underscores the dual nature of the design—solid yet light, carved yet floating.

The palette is limited, textures and tones reflect the environment, allowing the villa to harmonize with the mountain over time.

Symbiosis of Relief and Architecture

The Kohravan Villa is a manifestation of contextual architecture, where each decision arises from dialogue with the ground. Through terraced levels, spatial voids and material interconnection, Hypertext Architecture Studio created a home that celebrates collaboration over conquest—contemporary housing deeply attuned to the rhythm of the mountains.