ZAV Architects (Persian: طراحان و بناکنندگان زاو) is an architectural practice based in Tehran, Iran.[1][2]

ZAV Architects
Practice information
Key architectsMohamadreza Ghodousi, Fateme Rezaei Fakhr, Golnaz Bahrami
FoundersMohamadreza Ghodousi, Parsa Ardam
Founded2006
LocationTehran
Significant works and honors
ProjectsMajara Residence, Type-less Building, Farsh Film Studio
AwardsAD100, Memar Awards, ArchDaily Building of the Year, AR New into Old Award, Dezeen Awards, AR House Awards
Website
https://zavarchitects.com/

Background

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ZAV Architects was established in 2006 by architects Mohamadreza Ghodousi and Parsa Ardam. The firm is known for an adaptable architectural approach, which emphasizes resourcefulness and the use of local materials and workforce.[3][4][5]

Awards

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ZAV Architects was named an Honoree in the AD100 Best Designers in the Middle East and Africa in 2024[6] and 2025.[7] The firm has won the following awards:

Notable Works

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  • Majara Residence, Hormuz, Iran, 2020 - An accommodation complex on Hormuz Island featuring 200 domes constructed using the Superadobe technique.[12]
  • Type-less Building, Hormuz, Iran, 2022 - A two-story educational and community center designed with adaptable spaces, recycled materials, and low-tech construction to follow a circular economy.[13]
  • Rong Cultural Center, Hormuz, Iran, 2017
  • Farsh Film Studio, Tehran, Iran, 2017 - Conversion of a 1930s house in Tehran into a film school and underground cinema, using reclaimed materials.[14]
  • Baba Beski Tomb, Gonbad-e Kavus, Iran, 2020
  • Pedari Guest House, Khansar, Iran, 2011
  • Habitat for Orphan Girls, Khansar, Iran, 2014

References

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  1. ^ Charlesworth, Esther; Fien, John (2022-12-30). Design for Fragility: 13 Stories of Humanitarian Architects. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-81392-0.
  2. ^ "Majara Residence Case Study (J.E.D.I Voices)". Retrieved 2024-12-31.
  3. ^ Sarup, Pratyush (2024-12-04). "AD100 2025: The Best Designers in the Middle East and North Africa". AD Middle East. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
  4. ^ Staff, Round City (2020-12-17). "Interview: Iranian studio ZAV Architects shares manifesto for a better architecture". Round City. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
  5. ^ Fresku, Linda (2024). What are the reasons leading Iranian contemporary architects towards traditional know-hows? Rediscovering the sustainable and affordable character of implementing such elements (Thesis thesis). Technische Universität Wien.
  6. ^ Sarup, Pratyush (2023-12-04). "AD100 2024: All the Winners". AD Middle East. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
  7. ^ Sarup, Pratyush (2024-12-04). "AD100 2025: The Best Designers in the Middle East and North Africa". AD Middle East. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
  8. ^ "Building of the Year 2021". Building of the Year 2021. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
  9. ^ Peirson, Ellen (2021-06-29). "Farsh Film Studio in Tehran, Iran by ZAV Architects". The Architectural Review. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
  10. ^ "Rong Cultural Centre by ZAV Architects | Dezeen Awards". Dezeen. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
  11. ^ "AR House 2018". The Architectural Review. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
  12. ^ "Zav Architects Creates an Environmentally-Sensitive Complex on the Island of Hormuz". Interior Design. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
  13. ^ Architects, Z. A. V. (2023-12-21). "zav architects reuses discarded materials to form educational center in south iran". designboom | architecture & design magazine. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
  14. ^ Peirson, Ellen (2021-06-29). "Farsh Film Studio in Tehran, Iran by ZAV Architects". The Architectural Review. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
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ZAV Architects Website

Recorded video ZAV Architects delivering an online lecture for AIA Los Angeles, on Hyper-Connected Architecture in Iran - Majara Residence Case Study (J.E.D.I) Voices

Recorded video of founder of ZAV Architects, delivering his TEDx talk titled The Unknowns on regeneration in challenging environments (in Persian, English summary available here).