Khan Boutique Restaurant, Mohammad Varasteh, Roza Tabadar, Fatemeh Mohammadi

Project Name: KHAN Boutique Restaurant \ Function: Restaurant
Company: Varta And Partners \ Lead Architects: Mohammad Varasteh, Roza Tabadar, Fatemeh Mohammadi / Design Team: Pejman Tahghighi, Pejman Bagheri
Structure: Available \ Mechanical Structure: Available
Location: Lotfalikhan Zand st, Shiraz \ Total Land Area-Area of Construction:
400 Sq.m-700 Sq.m \ Date: 2020 \ Client: Syamak Khalafi
Photographer: Amir Ali Ghafari \ Graphic: Peyman Tahghighi, Peyman Bagheri
Website: www.vartaoffice.com 
E-mail: varasteh.mohamad.ar@gmail.com
Instagram: @VARTA_OFFICE

khan boutique restaurant is located in the historic part of Shiraz, next to Haji Bazar, Mesgarha Bezar, and most importantly, Khan school, which is one of the most significant historical buildings of Shiraz. This restaurant, with an area of 700 square meters and two stories is built in the newly established Nikan complex. A complex, that despite the use of traditional materials, did not have any narration of its past and its valuable historical context. To improve the quality of the situation and to revive its historical identity, we first tried to organize the existing spaces, both in terms of layout and materials. Furthermore, the identity and history of the location were considered, as the most significant factor in the design.
For this reason, to improve the spatial and landscape quality, and to create a new meaning, the existing windows were replaced with wooden and handmade ones, and brick walls were replaced with handmade bricks. By opening one of the walls facing the bazaar and the shrine of Shah Cheragh, which made a connection between the outside and the inside, we somehow framed the history and created a visual connection. In addition, the natural light that entered the space could create a sense of light and shadow.
On the other hand, one of the demands of the employer, considering the situation and position of the project, was to achieve a significant and modern building. Therefore, considering these factors, we sought to create a flexible and new meaning for the new buildings in historical contexts, which should maintain their connection with their history and provide a symbol of modern functions. For this reason, culture was considered as the most important feature to achieve sustainable development in this complex.
historic symbols of Shiraz were also used in the design to increase the sense of belonging.
Since our ancient buildings have a combination of rhythmic forms and geometries we decided to keep those patterns alive. Also, the creation of a wall called the Mirror Arch, which is an abstract section and is inspired by the original arches of the Khan School, and also by merging its pattern with mirrors that were taken from the patterns of Iranian carpets, we tried to provide a new definition of Iranian architecture.
The mirror of the arch makes us hesitate and think, and by its presence as a part of the architecture of the building, it calms the space and gives it meaning. This arch is the point at which time records and repeats itself, Here the mirrors, like carpets whose roles are recording memories, are spread out over the arch to bring us and history face to face.