SIMIN

—Portfolio Note:

This project represents original work and is shared here for portfolio purposes. Certain drawings and details have been selectively simplified, modified, or shown in non-final form.

—Project Overview:

This project is a small-scale commercial building in Birjand, Iran, reinterpreting the architectural arch as a spatial and sculptural element within a compact urban fabric. It spans 400 m² over two main floors, composed of interlocking volumes in Chamotte (fireclay) brick, Exposed concrete, Scratch-finished granite slabs, and High-performance glazing system to balance transparency and mass. Located in a high-value neighbourhood with mostly older, design-lacking architecture, it serves as the first new design in years, aiming to introduce a thoughtful approach. I contributed across all phases, from feasibility studies and concept design through schematic design, design development, construction documents, and on-site supervision, aligning with Iran’s Chapter 19 energy standards. The project is currently under construction, with the façade implementation ongoing.

—Context & Technical challenges:

The building features clean, interlocking volumes for a simple yet expressive form, using a restrained palette of brick, glass, and concrete to emphasize contrasts between solid/void and textured/smooth surfaces. The arch motif recurs in openings, balconies, and an ‘Elevated Vitrine’ that engages the street. The main technical challenge was balancing this expressive form with the material palette while ensuring integration of architecture, structure, and MEP in Revit modeling. Organizationally, as a self-funded project, the key issue was reconciling design ambition with strict budget constraints, requiring cost-sensitive decisions throughout to maintain quality without excess.

—Role & Modelling Scope:

I served as the lead architecture designer, financial analyst, BOQ creator, and modeler for architecture and MEP, operating primarily as an individual lead with selective collaboration on structure (via Tekla) and contractors. As co-founder of RENA, I handled solo design leadership alongside consultant inputs for specialist tasks. I interfaced with all disciplines, including structural engineers, MEP consultants, contractors, and local authorities. Key decisions I was responsible for included concept development, design choices, material selection, BOQ creation, and execution strategy; I contributed to structural detailing and coordinated specialist inputs. Work was primarily self-approved as owner-designer, with structural and regulatory validations by engineers and authorities.

—Coordination & Collaboration:

The project started with a site study and feasibility analysis to align ambitions with budget limits. Initial tasks focused on massing and sectional studies, quick concept sketches, and exploring cost-sensitive detailing options. Inputs included site surveys, local regulation constraints, a baseline structural model, and my own client brief as owner. Design progressed sequentially: ideation through sketches and massing, iterative refinements for form and materials, detailing with integrated modeling, and construction documentation. Coordination was organized via shared Revit models, milestone reviews, and on-site inspections. Changes or conflicts were identified through Revit markups and site checks, resolved by balancing design intent with budget via rapid contractor coordination. Quality was checked using internal checklists, model-to-site cross-verifications, and targeted mock-ups for façade details.

Pre-placement of embedded electrical conduits and junction boxes for future recessed coffer lighting, prior to concrete pour in waffle slab construction.

—Deliverables & Outcome:

Outputs produced included concept sketches, integrated Revit models (architecture, structure, MEP), construction drawings, detailed façade documentation, and BOQs. These were used by contractors and subcontractors for on-site execution, mock-ups, and technical validations by consultants. The work clarified façade detailing and buildability issues, reducing potential construction uncertainties while meeting realistic cost expectations. It improved design feasibility and coordination by providing coordinated documentation and a tight design-to-cost loop, enabling informed decisions in a budget-constrained context and minimizing onsite revisions.

—Constraints & Responsibilities:

Main constraints involved a tight budget from self-funding, the existing urban context limiting scale and aesthetics, and adherence to local regulations including energy standards. Outside my responsibility were specialist engineering calculations and formal procurement/legal approvals. I relied on structural engineers for detailed calculations and contractors for execution insights. Key assumptions respected included maintaining cost predictability, ensuring buildability within the palette, and aligning with sustainability targets per Chapter 19. Tools like Revit for architecture/MEP modeling, Tekla for structure, and Revit-to-Excel for BOQ were essential, used in a shared workflow for integration and quantity take-offs.

Rising structure perspective: Cantilevered balcony projecting from concrete frame.

Waffle slab coffer underside: Pre-pour embedded electrical infrastructure (junction boxes, conduits) visible post-concrete, ready for fixture integration.

Waffle slab electrical rough-in: Conduits and junction boxes embedded for future recessed lighting fixtures within the coffers. Ready for concrete pour.

—Reflection & Key Learnings:

I applied lightweight ISO-inspired information management practices and a strengthened design-to-cost feedback loop tailored for small-scale projects, subtly leveraging BIM for integrated Revit modeling to ensure precision across disciplines. Feedback received led to simplifying façade details and earlier contractor involvement for practical refinements, which I implemented to enhance buildability. For a similar future project, I would engage contractors sooner, conduct quicker mock-ups for critical elements, and formalize a lightweight shared data workflow from the outset to further streamline coordination and reduce iterative adjustments.