The gabled roof is an architectural classic. It’s simple, functional, and unmistakable. Yet, Alireza Taghaboni of Tehran-based Next Office–Alireza Taghaboni has revitalized this age-old form in an unexpected way. Completed in 2025, the Gable Villa in Royan—a coastal city in northern Iran—sits close to the Caspian Sea where traditional architecture relies heavily on pitched roofs to counteract heavy rainfall. This isn’t just an aesthetic decision; it’s practical, centuries-old, and intuitively local. Taghaboni takes this familiar form and weaves it into the fabric of modern architecture, creating a dialogue that’s both fresh and engaging.
Designer: Next Office–Alireza Taghaboni (photos by Ehsan Ahani)
Innovative architectural hybridization
The Gable Villa is an architectural hybrid. Its design juxtaposes an inclined, traditional structure with a modern, right-angle framework. This combination avoids the pitfalls of pastiche and instead fosters interior spaces that are both novel and cohesive. The sloped exterior not only crafts a distinctive silhouette but also transforms the inner environment. Rooms blossom under the ridge and cocoon where the slope descends, yielding a spatial hierarchy through natural geometry rather than artificial barriers.
Founded in 2009, Next Office consistently asks: How can you create contemporary buildings within Iran’s rich architectural tapestry? Their celebrated Sharifi-ha House played with adaptability through movable rooms. Now, the Gable Villa takes a subtler approach—it’s less about visible mechanics, more about silent proficiency, achieving depth without ostentation.
Local essence with global insights
The Gable Villa is a testament to local roots. Amidst global trends that often dilute regional nuances, this project celebrates its locality. In Royan, traditional architecture isn’t mere decoration; it’s foundational, integrated into the villa’s structural essence. Taghaboni, rather than simply borrowing aesthetic elements from history, inherits its logic and reinterprets it for today.
Ehsan Ahani’s photography encapsulates the villa’s essence. It captures a serene confidence, melding seamlessly into its surroundings. The light dances uniquely over the gabled architecture, an experience mirrored in the imagery—instantaneously felt, yet subtly conveyed.
For architecture enthusiasts, the Gable Villa reaffirms the impact of thoughtful regional design. While contemporary architecture has leaned towards a homogenized global style, Taghaboni’s work demonstrates the lasting value of regionally-rooted design. The traditional gable and pitched roof—a child’s crayon-drawn classic—still brims with potential and relevance in skilled hands.
Taghaboni and Next Office warrant attention, not for the loudest statement, but for creating work that rewards diligent observation. The Gable Villa exemplifies a building that is thoughtful, deliberate, and remarkably astute.
Source: yankodesign.com