Sara Samadi Ardebili, Farid Gharibi Nia , Advisor: Asst. Prof. Dr. Ehsan Reza
student
cyprus international university
Turkey
Architecture
As time has passed, people's lives have changed with mechanization, and it has caused a decrease in intimacy and fading of emotions and feelings and physical… more
Omar Harb
advisor
Phoenicia University
Lebanon
As an architect and founder of Omar Harb Architects & Associates, my work centers on creating… more
The Miris Hive is a deeply thoughtful and poetic project that responds sensitively to both environmental and social concerns. The concept draws inspiration from traditional Iranian stepped villages like Masuleh and Kandovan, and reinterprets their spatial intimacy and topographic responsiveness through a contemporary modular language. This architectural homage brings together emotional warmth, passive sustainability, and topographic sensitivity.
Architectural Qualities:
The use of modular design to preserve the natural terrain and adapt to changing slope conditions is skillfully handled. This adaptability also facilitates prefabrication, making construction more efficient and sustainable. The stepped terraces create shared green spaces and reinforce a sense of community — a vital design goal, considering the project's critique of modern social disconnection.
Passive Environmental Strategies:
The windcatcher concept, inspired by vernacular architecture, is well-integrated and multi-functional. Its combination of air movement, shading, and water-cooled microclimates is an elegant passive strategy. Additionally, the adjustable openings for light, sound, and air introduce occupant agency over their comfort.
Landscape Integration:
The surrounding site strategy, with its health paths, green tunnels, and pedestrian bridges, contributes to a strong holistic vision. It’s not only a place to live but also to walk, gather, and grow as a community — which aligns with the initial aim of reintroducing emotion and intimacy into the built environment.
Materiality & Construction:
The use of stone, wood, and glass harmonizes with the modular and ecological philosophy of the project. Prefabricated components further enhance environmental responsibility and flexibility in construction, especially for difficult terrains.
Clarify Structural Feasibility:
While the modularity and prefabrication approach is compelling, the proposal would benefit from clearer articulation of structural systems, especially how these prefabricated modules are anchored into steep terrains.
Fire Safety and Evacuation Strategy:
Given the stepped and interconnected form, an evaluation of emergency egress routes, especially for elderly or mobility-impaired individuals, would strengthen the design’s technical robustness.
Privacy Management Between Levels:
Consider deeper strategies to mitigate privacy issues between upper-level courtyards and lower-level roofs. Landscape screens, lattice work, or gradient changes in planting could help.
Thermal Performance Detailing:
Additional diagrams or studies showing the effectiveness of the windcatcher and passive ventilation systems through seasonal changes would support the environmental claims more credibly.
Cultural Adaptation and User Behavior:
As the concept draws heavily from rural Iranian villages, a study of user adaptation in different socio-cultural or urban contexts (e.g., Cyprus, Turkey, or elsewhere) would demonstrate broader applicability or offer needed localization strategies.
Phasing and Development Strategy:
A modular project like this invites the possibility of incremental growth. A proposed phasing plan could demonstrate how the community could evolve over time, supporting a dynamic and long-term vision.
Digital Presentation Refinement:
While the narrative is rich and compelling, the architectural text could be edited for conciseness and clarity, especially in its English translation. A tighter presentation would help jurors or readers digest the richness of the proposal more effectively.
Conclusion:
The Miris Hive is an ambitious and emotionally resonant architectural response to the disconnection and ecological damage of modern life. It succeeds in balancing human intimacy, cultural continuity, and environmental sustainability. With refinement in technical articulation and contextual adaptability, this project could serve as a strong model for community-driven eco-architecture.