Unchecked, car-oriented urban expansion in the four decades since the Iranian Revolution had seriously diminished Tehran’s liveability, and the role that public spaces have played in past political demonstrations had fed the authorities’ reluctance to invest in them. Aiming to foster a “pedestrian-oriented city” through multiple small-scale interventions, a group of urban specialists, together with members of the previous municipal administration, embarked on a project titled “Meydangah” to identify and activate underused spaces that could be made into vibrant urban nodes. One of the 100 sites that they pinpointed was Jahad Metro Plaza. They sought out young architecture practices for the commissions – in this case KA Architecture Studio, led by Mohammad Khavarian.

The original idea was simply to redesign the pavement in front of the metro entrance, but the architects successfully argued the case for a more impactful intervention that also involved replacing the entrance building. Located at the intersection of Valiasr Street, which runs north–south through the city’s historic core, Dr Fatemi Street and Ghazali Street, with its buildings dating back to 1980s urban planning initiatives, the triangular site offered a prime location for a structure that would resonate with its cultural and historical setting.

An assembly of interlocking barrel vaults, both monumental and welcoming, has transformed the metro entrance into an all-weather social hub that buffers traffic noise. In a series of indoor or outdoor spaces that offer varying levels of intimacy, people can take a restful pause, gather to chat, or listen to street musicians. Differences in vault heights make the building permeable to both air and light, while establishing strong visual and functional connections across the site levels.

Construction was completed economically in just seven months, using a modular steel-mesh framework on which traditional bricks, handmade in the primary contractor’s local workshop, were applied – a familiar technique requiring no specialist skills. Subtle variations in the brickwork reference Iran’s history of geometric brick patterning. For resistance to vandalism, there are no loose furnishings, and lighting is embedded in ceilings and walls.

The plaza in front is organised for street vendors, including Afghan immigrants who previously operated illegally and can now continue to work in a safe, officially approved setting.

Jury Citation

“With 159 stations and a length of over 250 kilometres, the Tehran Metro is one of the most extensive in the world, carrying millions of passengers every day. As critical urban infrastructure, the functionality and appeal of the Metro are central concerns for the municipality, the client for this project.

The redevelopment of the station entrance transformed a once conventional and modest access point into an open public space: a plaza that encourages passage, encounters and events. Unlike the former structure, which closed off stairways at ground level, the new design opens the station to the sky and neighbourhood, converting former stair areas into a pedestrian zone with direct street access and improving accessibility.

The wide facade enhances ventilation and provides a welcoming space for public interaction, informal commerce and urban life, acknowledging the need of metro passengers for space beyond transit.

The project’s architecture is characterised by its striking volume and integration of vaults, arches and circular forms, which reference Iran’s rich civilisational heritage. The use of brick further strengthens this historical connection, and its warm, subtle texture emphasises the station’s status as a new urban monument. At the same time, the station blends in with its contemporary surroundings, standing out among the newer buildings that frame the site.

This renewed identity imbues the station with energy and distinction, establishing it as a landmark within the neighbourhood and the wider city. Its strategic location further enhances its potential to become embedded in the collective memory of Tehran’s residents and visitors.

Aesthetically, the design draws upon Iranian architectural traditions. Daylight penetrates through large openings in the ceiling, illuminating the interior and improving the station’s environmental quality. The widened entrance brings in light and air, creating a sense of openness and flow.

Through its subtle strength, attention to heritage and craft, and its aim to revive pedestrian space and social interaction, the project exemplifies the role of architecture in shaping public spaces as living dialogues between history, people and ideas.”

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture