Saya, which means shadow, is chosen from the local dialect of the project’s owner’s hometown. The reason for choosing this name was the effective shadows that were formed on the formal structure of the building due to the sunlight during the day or external lighting at night.

The process of creating the main form in the project was based on the local and cultural studies of Targh Roud village, the client’s birthplace, as well as the family’s behavior of the owner of the project. A culture of behavior was formed that is very simple, governed and limited in relationships outside the family, and very bold, dynamic and homogenous within the family. The process of forming the project is such that with the external layer of the project, it observes a calm and regular relationship with the audience, and the central core of the project induces intimacy, dynamism and companionship through filing and emptying as well as soft curves.

The initial studies for the project began in Targhrud village, a district of Isfahan province (Iran), which is also the client’s birthplace. Authenticity was of great importance to the client. The vernacular architecture of this region—especially the ancient Targhrud Castle—and the behavioral and historical studies of its inhabitants revealed a remarkable sense of introversion and unity.

In the design process of Saya Villa, inspirations drawn from the semi-cold and semi-arid climate of the region directed the design strategies toward architectural solutions suitable for cold and dry climates (The project site—Lavasan, located in the suburbs of Tehran—also belongs to a cold and dry climatic zone).

As the design process progressed, the main volumetric idea was inspired by the Taq Kasra, a structure that stands as a symbol of grandeur and continuity in Iranian architecture, inviting the spirit of space inward. This concept is reflected not only in the arched form of the building but also in the spatial organization and the creation of a sense of continuity and depth on a human scale.

In Saya Villa, the arch acts as both a structural and conceptual element, defining the boundary between interior and exterior spaces. By creating a gradual transition from private to public zones, it forms a connection between the authenticity of the past and a contemporary interpretation of architecture.

The Saya Villa project is located in Lavasanat, a suburban area of Greater Tehran. Climatically, it tends toward cold and dry conditions and features a beautiful natural landscape of gardens and mountains. The area is considered a luxurious and recreational zone with convenient and close access to Tehran.

Saya Villa embodies a strong and calm exterior with a dynamic and intimate interior—its essence rooted in stone, symbolizing authenticity and effort. With its deep tones and floating mass, the form is both formal and influential, fulfilling all functional and architectural needs.

The spatial arrangement and interior forms of the project are derived from Iranian cultural behavior and the needs of family life. The design observes principles of hierarchy, privacy, and spatial order while harmoniously combining form, texture, and color. The interior reflects a respectful dialogue between nature and modern living.