Chabahar Hotel: A Masterpiece of Minimalist Architecture

Reza Mafakher's Award-Winning Design Marries Hospitality and Innovation

The Chabahar Hotel, located in the economic free zone in the south of Iran, is more than just a place for travelers to rest their heads. The design, inspired by the desire to create a friendly host that welcomes guests through its hospitality, services, and architectural form, aims to enhance the traveler's experience and create lasting memories.

Mafakher's design philosophy for the Chabahar Hotel was to create a form by reducing negative spaces in rooms and other areas in the hotel. This approach is in stark contrast to the dominant design ideology of forming structures through the arrangement of similar modular spaces. The result is a hotel that doesn't just accommodate guests, but invites them in with its open and welcoming architecture.

One of the unique properties of the Chabahar Hotel is its minimal architectural design that shapes the modular, hospitable, and accommodating spaces by reducing the negative spaces from the main form. The underside layer of the mass is reduced, expanding the space between the opposite sides of the building and creating an inviting connection between the road and the valley behind. Rather than blocking the view like a dam, the hotel opens an experience for the guests to enjoy the ocean.

The modular form of the rooms reduces the overall volume by synchronizing spaces and making each room unique. To accommodate natural lighting and views of the central rooms, a semi-private courtyard was created by removing a portion of the top layer, thereby increasing the experience and value of the adjacent rooms. This harmony between the rooms and the surrounding environment is a testament to the thoughtful and innovative design approach of Mafakher and his team.

The Chabahar Hotel's design was realized using exposed concrete, giving it a raw and industrial aesthetic that contrasts beautifully with the natural surroundings. The hotel covers a wide area of 45000 m2, making it a significant architectural presence in the region. The design process, which began in March 2016 in Tehran, was driven by the vision of creating a travel spot in Chabahar city that would attract business and investment to the region.

In conclusion, the Chabahar Hotel is a shining example of how thoughtful and innovative design can transform a space into something much more than just a place to stay. It's a testament to the power of architecture in shaping experiences and creating lasting memories. The Silver A' Design Award it received in 2017 is a well-deserved recognition of the creativity, technical expertise, and innovation that went into its design.