- Project: Vault on Vault Villa
- Architect: KRDS
- Location: Iran, Nur
- Year: 2023
- Area: 440 m2
- Photography: Mohammad Hassan Ettefagh
A Contemporary Reinterpretation of the Iranian Vault
Set against the lush foothills of northern Iran overlooking the Caspian Sea, Vault on Vault Villa by KRDS (Kourosh Rafiey Design Studio) reimagines one of Iran’s oldest architectural archetypes — the vault — through the lens of modern living. This 440 m² residence in Nur transforms traditional structural logic into a sculptural, climate-responsive family home that merges heritage and innovation.
Architectural Concept: Stacking Arches, Layering Time
The villa’s defining idea lies in its name: vault on vault. Instead of using a single arch or dome, the design stacks multiple vaults in perpendicular directions, creating an intricate spatial system where each vault supports and defines the next. This geometric interplay gives the home its bold rhythm while celebrating the timeless logic of load, thrust, and balance.
The approach is both structural and poetic — each vault is a frame for light, air, and movement, producing a sequence of volumes that feel monumental yet intimately human.
Orientation and Climate Response
Situated in Mazandaran’s humid, temperate coastal climate, the villa’s design is carefully tuned to its environment. The north and south façades open wide to capture daylight and natural ventilation from sea breezes, while the east and west walls remain solid, shielding the interiors from heat gain.
The vaults’ curvature isn’t merely aesthetic; it shapes passive cooling and airflow across spaces, while deep overhangs create self-shading and comfort throughout the day. The result is an architecture where form is both performance and experience.
Spatial Organization: Living Among Vaults
Inside, the villa unfolds as a series of “capsules” — spatial pockets framed by the vaults. The ground floor houses social areas including the living room, dining space, and an open kitchen oriented toward the garden and pool. The upper level contains private bedrooms and terraces, with each space nested under its own vaulted canopy.
The central void and its cascading arches define circulation and sightlines, linking every level visually and experientially. Light filters through the gaps between vaults, animating walls and floors in patterns that shift through the day.
Material Palette: Tradition Meets Modern Craft
The structural system combines concrete, steel, and brick — a contemporary reinterpretation of vernacular techniques long used in Iranian architecture. The palette remains minimal: pale plastered surfaces, smooth stone flooring, and occasional timber accents. The purity of materials heightens the geometry, allowing light and shadow to sculpt the interior atmosphere.
Externally, the villa’s volumes appear both solid and fluid — an interplay of mass and void, texture and reflection — capturing the essence of the northern Iranian landscape.
The Spirit of Continuity
Vault on Vault Villa stands as an exploration of continuity between past and present. Rather than replicating tradition, KRDS abstracts its structural and symbolic power, creating a home that is timeless yet unmistakably modern.
The project speaks of identity and evolution: architecture that remembers its roots while looking forward — bridging craftsmanship, engineering, and art into a singular expression of contemporary Iranian design.
