Based in Tehran, the Sharifi-ha House by Iranian architectural firm Nextoffice is a luxurious home by anyone's standard. The seven-floor residence boasts an elevator, swimming pool, and a sizable gym. More interestingly, it also features three rooms which resemble large wooden boxes and sit upon operable rotating platforms.
Sharifi-ha House was completed in 2013 and comprises a total floorspace of 1,400 sq m (15,000 sq ft). Given its size and unusual design, the layout of the house is complex, and a glance the architectural plans in the gallery are worth checking out for a more complete idea on how it's put together.
The two basement floors contain the gym and leisure facilities, which include a billiard table, while the ground floor consists of parking space and the housekeeper's quarters. The first and second floors feature communal family spaces including the kitchen, lounge, television room, and a piano area. Finally, the remaining floors include bedrooms, private bathrooms, and additional kitchen and lounge areas.
Sharifi-ha House's three operable rooms remain in a flat, or "closed" position during cold weather. However, if the sun comes out, each room can rotate 90 degrees outwards with the touch of a button to reveal a terraced area. While the house is in its "open" state, there's also more ventilation and light available to those inside.
Each of the rooms rotates on its own mechanical base similar to those which rotate cars on the floor of a car show, and that are used in some theaters to change scenes. The actual system used is a customized one built by the owner's own employees for the purpose.
Though the architects pay lip-service to the concept of traditional summer and winter-based Iranian living quarters and mention something about flexibility, there seems little reason for employing such a difficult and expensive design over, say, shutters, except for the obvious one: an excuse to produce something visually and technically impressive.
If that is indeed the case, then it's a job well done.
Source: Nextoffice via Arch Daily
