Project
Escape Within
Category
Best Restoration or Reconstruction Project by Student
About the project (provided by the applicant)
Escape Within is an architectural reinterpretation of traditional Shirazi houses, reimagined to meet the spatial and professional needs of 21st-century living. Designed for two architects, it functions as both a dwelling and a sanctuary for creativity, reflection, and retreat. The project preserves local identity while redefining spaces for contemporary lifestyles: the basement, once a service area, becomes a light-filled living room fostering intimacy and gatherings; the central courtyard transforms into a skylit kitchen connecting daily life with nature; and the traditional panjdari (five-door room) is adapted as a serene master bedroom. More than a renovation, Escape Within creates a dialogue between past and present, blending vernacular heritage with modern comfort to offer a personal refuge and creative ground within the fabric of tradition.
Location
Lab-e Aab Neighborhood (Historical Context), Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran
Project design year
2025
Extra visual materials
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RToVcqNC8_no-F6BBTH41Iq_R4C8oyBv?usp=sharing
Applicant
Alin Maharlouei , Kiarokh Kankash
Alin Maharlouei and Kia Kankash are M.A. Architecture students of IAU Shiraz with a shared passion for architecture, interior, and object design. Alin, recognized with three Honorable Mention awards, explores infill architecture, sustainability, and cultural identity in contemporary living.
Kia focuses on architecture and interior design, merging functionality with aesthetic clarity. Together, they seek to bridge tradition and modern needs through innovative design.
Authors of the project
Alin Maharlouei, Kiarokh Kankash, Mehdi Tavakoli Kazerouni
Visualization
Alin Maharlouei, Kiarokh Kankash, Mehdi Tavakoli Kazerouni
Status of the project
Conceptual design
