Ham Saye Apartment

Design by Navid Emami

The Ham Saye Apartment, designed by Navid Emami, is a unique and innovative housing project that aims to address the neglected relationship between neighbors in modern society. Inspired by the vernacular standards for housing in Iranian culture, the design incorporates common spaces to foster a sense of community and preserve the neighborhood culture.

One of the main challenges faced by the design team was to lower the building cost without compromising on the quality of the living space. To overcome this challenge, the team focused on creating simple details and utilizing recycled materials. By doing so, they were able to reduce the overall cost of the project while still maintaining a high level of design quality.

The Ham Saye Apartment stands out from other designs in its category due to its unique properties. The design prioritizes communication and diversity, creating interior communal spaces such as a shared library and a playground with a pleasant view. The use of a modular system for the facade and plans reduces repetitive elements and adds a sense of originality to the design. Additionally, the apartments are designed to provide ample daylight and feature terraces that can be used as gardens, creating a comfortable and inviting living environment.

The realization of the design involved the combination of recycled local stones and cement to create a white facade. This innovative method not only adds visual appeal to the building but also contributes to sustainability by utilizing recycled materials.

The Ham Saye Apartment is located in Karaj, Iran and was completed between 2014 and 2015. The design team, led by Navid Emami, included members such as Said Soori, Nassim Nouri, Meisam Fallahi, Hamed Ahmadi, Parastoo Narimisa, Fatemeh Rostami, and Behrooz Samadi.

The design of the Ham Saye Apartment was driven by extensive research and a deep understanding of the context and user needs. The team sought to create better homes for users in a low-income region where most apartments have low architectural quality. By utilizing vernacular materials and inexpensive work force, they were able to raise the quality of living space and provide a better living environment for the residents.

The Ham Saye Apartment has received recognition for its design excellence and innovation. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2018 in the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category. This prestigious award is given to designs that meet professional and industrial requirements, integrating industry best practices and competent technical characteristics.

Overall, the Ham Saye Apartment is a testament to the power of design to create meaningful and functional spaces that not only meet the needs of the users but also contribute to the preservation of cultural values and the betterment of society.