Holy Defense Museum

Usage: War Museum- Building Design (Winner)
Location: Tehran/Iran
Year:  2006
Client: Development of Cultural Buildings Association
Architect: Jila Norouzi
Design Team:
Khosro hajseyedjavadi
Neda Rasooli
Sanaz Moinedin
Azam Omrani
Maryam Asgari
Parisa Sadeghi
Vahid Mohebi
Area: 42000 m²

Project description

The Iranian Historical Defense Museum preserves the memory and meaning of the 8-year Iran-Iraq war, ensuring that this heritage is never forgotten. The museum educates the present and future generations about Iran’s military history. Located in Tehran’s main cultural and entertainment district, Abbas Abad, the museum fulfills the client’s requirement for a landmark building.
The structure is a low-lying building that merges seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, featuring a gently sloping, folded roof influenced by the natural topography of the hills. The design also incorporates views of the green valley, Persian garden, and nearby lake, creating a dramatic contrast between the green hills and the metallic form of the building.
The building’s concept takes inspiration from an army tent (camouflage net), with large metallic forms extending horizontally. The space and detailed design create expansive open areas within the building. The main exhibition comprises seven sections on different levels, connected by gently sloping pathways.
The museum also houses an office department, library, auditoriums, and classrooms, which descend into a spacious underground atrium.

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