The Farmanieh Mall Freeform Skylight Project is one of the largest and most complex freeform structures in Iran. This skylight is located on Shahid Lavasani Street in Tehran and is known as a unique example in the country with a span of 28 x 52 meters. The organic and fluid form of the skylight creates a variable width at different points, making this project an outstanding architectural achievement.
Architectural Form and Structural Design
The design team created a modern, dynamic and completely distinctive volume using curved geometry and wave movements. The main structure of the skylight is based on an engineered triangulation system; a method that allows for the construction of complex freeform surfaces with high precision.
Triangulation Engineering and Precise Modeling
To accurately implement the project form:
- The structural surface was defined with precise nodes and elements.
- Modeling software determined the angles, mass and appropriate cross-section of each member.
- All parts were made with CNC and laser cutting to ensure the necessary accuracy for the freeform form.
In these structures, expansion, contraction and vibration of the glass are of great importance. For this reason, aluminum is the best recommended material. If steel is used, an aluminum nose and electrostatic paint coating are used to prevent oxidation and control thermal changes.
Main structure and internal cover
The main structure is made of engineered steel sections and the internal part is completely covered with a U-shaped aluminum cover to create a unified appearance.
Implementation process and change of project teams
Initially, the implementation of the structure was carried out by a Turkish team and Architaj acted as a consultant. However, when the cooperation of the foreign team stopped due to sanctions, the project remained unfinished. After that, the work was continued by the client and the domestic team and the implementation process was completely completed without the presence of the foreign team.
Glazing and technical details
In this project, HS glasses with international standards are used.
Important technical measures:
- Complete sealing with WS adhesives
- Execution of glazing with very high precision due to the large dimensions of the opening
- Complete control of air, water and thermal stress penetration
The complexity of the form made glazing one of the most sensitive parts of the project.
The importance of this project in the development of freeform technology in Iran
The Farmanieh mall skylight was the starting point of the evolution in domestic freeform structures.
After the foreign team stopped, Architaj Group localized freeform technology in Iran by reverse engineering.
The result of this experience:
- 100% domestic implementation of freeform structures
- Achieving international quality
