Soltani+Leclercq is a collaboration between Francine Leclercq, an artist, and ali Adibsoltani, an architect.
Their joint practice, while discursive, a horizontal amalgam of concepts and things, it is not founded on any specific criterion of a multidisciplinary approach; it is simply a corollary .
The purpose here is to record the different stages of construction of Banafsheh Apartment Complex in Karaj, Iran .
Situated on a plateau at the eastern most edge of an urban development circa late Pahlavi era, the site is distinguished by a sharp drop of elevation to its east. An outstanding feature of the site is the range of the Alborz Mountains that line the horizon from North-West to the East.
The programmatic elements consisting of an underground parking, living units, and a commercial space have been arranged to enhance and frame the view of the mountains beyond. The in-between space comprising of the garden is sheltered by the exterior walls at North, South-West and South against harsh winter winds while during the summer it acts as a wind basin. A shallow pool typical of Iranian gardens will be incorporated to act as a natural ventilation device, The change in air temperature as a result of contact with water together with evaporative effects produce a mild air shift. The flow of this air to the living units directly from the garden is both an olfactory and a cooling agent and will help in reducing energy consumption. The terraces, balconies and the rooves have been conceived as the extension of the garden.
