What does the ideal city look like to you? | Raha Ashrafi | TEDxOmidSalon

03 Sep 2024 (13 days ago)

Architectural Philosophy and Approach

Raha Ashrafi and Marzieh Zaut are architects and partners who, while sharing some similarities, have different approaches to architecture.
They work with a younger generation of architects who have distinct perspectives and are eager to address their concerns within projects.
Ashrafi describes their architectural firm as a family that strives to create a space for dialogue, recognizing and valuing the potential in their differences.

Raha Ashrafi states that 500 years ago, cities in Iran were structured around caravanserais, bazaars, schools, and mosques. The design of these structures was influenced by the cultural and geographical context of the location.
Ashrafi observes that public spaces in those cities were not typically designed but rather emerged organically. People utilized these spaces for various purposes based on their location and scale, including socializing, playing, and holding gatherings.
Ashrafi notes a shift in urban planning over the past 50 to 100 years, where accessibility became paramount. While people and their activities initially remained important, the focus gradually shifted towards transportation, particularly cars, which significantly impacted urban spaces.

Ashrafi believes that cities should prioritize accessibility and efficient transportation, acknowledging the importance of people's needs and preferences in urban design.
Designers can customize public spaces and involve people in the decision-making process for those spaces.
People should be engaged in the design process. There are different ways to achieve this, including participatory design and inclusive design.

Participatory design focuses on involving people in different stages of the design process, such as information gathering, post-design, post-construction, or throughout the entire process. The level of involvement depends on the neighborhood and its culture.
In a project in Tehran, residents were included in the design process to address the challenge of incorporating greenery into alleys without sacrificing parking spaces. The residents helped determine the placement of trees, and the designers provided structure and form to their ideas.
In the Haya project, gathering input from the community revealed that the designers' perceptions of the project's problems didn't necessarily align with reality. The project aimed to translate the community's desires and concerns into a tangible form and geometry that addressed their needs.
Beyond data collection, residents were involved in the construction process of the projects. This fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility for the projects within the community, encouraging their protection and maintenance.

Inclusive design aims to consider the needs of at least five different groups of people in the design process. While addressing the needs of even one group is beneficial, the goal is to cater to as many groups as possible.
Inclusive design is a method that should be used when designing for a variety of people and preferences.

The Booshan Abresham Park project had two challenges: a lack of safety for the neighborhood due to homeless people and a lack of facilities for women and children.
The Booshan Abresham Park project sought to include the deaf and hard of hearing community because the project was located next to the Federation of the Deaf Sports Center.
A book was published making standards available to the public.

The Biryank project's main challenge was noise pollution from a nearby highway.
The Biryank project was near a metro station and the Galban neighborhood.
A study on neighborhoods revealed a lack of adequate facilities for children and young adults, prompting efforts to enhance the quality of spaces for these age groups.
The project site, situated near a highway, necessitated measures to mitigate noise pollution, including adjusting the elevation of user spaces and incorporating greenery as a sound barrier.
The design concept, named "Geshmim Gorehgah," features interconnected sections catering to the needs and activities of five distinct age groups.