Reza Mafakher's Award-Winning Jewelry Store Design: A Modern Take on Qajar Reign Aesthetics

Reimagining Traditional Iranian Architecture with Futuristic Chrome Cubes

The Rahimzadeh Jewelry store, with its 113-year history, is located in the main bazaar of Tehran. The antiquity of the building and its proximity to the Golestan Palace, a significant building from the Qajar reign, inspired Mafakher's design. The Palace's Mirror Hall, with its mirror ceiling and walls, became the main concept for the store's design. Mafakher has reimagined this traditional design element in a modern context, using 4 by 4 chromic cubes to coat the walls and ceiling of the store.

The use of chromic cubes not only reflects the mirror theme of the Qajar reign but also presents the history of the building in a unique way. The main brick ceiling is exposed behind the movements of the chromic cubes, creating a two-layer wall that showcases the building's antiquity. The cubes work as a 2-dimensional surface, creating a unique reflective wall, and as they reach the top part, they gradually appear as three-dimensional volumes and eventually become a whole cube.

The project, which covers an area of 75 m2, took five months to complete in 2016. Mafakher was assisted by a team of design associates and construction professionals. The team's research focused on the unique elements and characteristics of Qajar reign's houses, which informed the design's main concept.

One of the challenges the team faced was modernizing the mirror element of old Iranian houses. They decided to use Chrome as the main material, which is modern but has the reflective quality of a mirror. This innovative approach to material use is a testament to Mafakher's commitment to pushing the boundaries of design while honoring cultural heritage.

The Rahimzadeh Jewelry store design is a perfect example of how traditional design elements can be reimagined in a modern context. It showcases Mafakher's innovative approach to design and his ability to create spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The project's success is a testament to the power of design to transform spaces and create unique experiences.

The design's award-winning status further underscores its innovation and excellence. The Silver A' Design Award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation. Winning this award is a testament to Mafakher's skill and creativity, and his ability to create designs that inspire amazement and wonder.