A CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION OF THE TRADITIONAL PERSIAN GARDEN IN A CULTURAL ARCHITECTURAL FRAMEWORK
Mahan Garden is one of the most iconic public spaces within a large-scale, multi-functional commercial and cultural complex. Inspired by the design principles of the historic Persian garden—specifically drawing from the legacy of the original Mahan Garden—this project reimagines classical landscape concepts through the lens of contemporary architecture, engineering, and environmental performance.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY – A GEOMETRY ROOTED IN TRADITION
The garden is organized along a north-south longitudinal axis, aligned with a grand linear water feature that connects mountainous views to the north with a public plaza and musical fountain to the south. This orientation mirrors the traditional logic of Persian gardens, which were often designed in harmony with the natural slope of the terrain and the gravitational flow of water, thus reinforcing a sense of order, directionality, and narrative movement.
AIR-CUSHION ROOF STRUCTURE – LIGHTWEIGHT FORM, LUMINOUS ATMOSPHERE
One of the most distinctive structural features is the ETFE air-cushion roofing system, engineered to allow generous daylight penetration while reducing structural load. This translucent membrane system enables real plants—typically suited for outdoor climates—to thrive indoors. The result is a soft, filtered light quality, and a blurred boundary between architectural enclosure and natural environment, evoking the spirit of openness central to traditional courtyard landscapes.
MULTI-TIERED WATER FEATURE – SOUND, SYMMETRY, AND SPATIAL FLOW
A four-level cascading water feature, with each tier rising 7 meters in height, runs symmetrically along both sides of the garden’s central spine. This element is not only an acoustic and visual anchor, but also reinforces the axial balance and dynamic rhythm of the space. The controlled movement of water introduces a tranquil auditory layer and animates the journey through the garden, inviting moments of pause and progression.
SARODISES – BOTANICAL ARCHITECTURE AS FORMAL DEVICE
Lining the central axis are a series of custom-designed stone sarodises—multi-tiered planters cultivated with trained Dutch jasmine. Carefully shaped to mimic the form of the Persian cypress, a symbolic plant in classical garden design, these vertical vegetative elements serve both as architectural features and living sculptures. They create visual rhythm, hierarchy, and a botanical dialogue with the geometry of the space.
MATERIALITY – TACTILE, EARTHEN, AND ENDURING
The entire garden is paved and surfaced using natural stone in warm, earthy tones. Selected for its durability, low maintenance, and visual harmony with natural light, the stonework gives the space a tactile richness and grounded physicality. The combination of high-quality hardscaping with refined planting enhances the contrast between solidity and life.
HYBRID FUNCTIONALITY – A SPACE FOR LEISURE, COMMERCE, AND CULTURE
Mahan Garden is not only a contemplative environment, but also a lively social and commercial destination. It is home to a curated selection of fashion, accessory, and lifestyle brands, with well-known café and restaurant names set to open in the near future. The blend of luxury retail and immersive greenery offers a unique day-to-night experience—a setting for relaxation, dining, and memorable social engagement.
Its spatial scale, open configuration, and visual impact also make it an ideal venue for cultural events, brand launches, public performances, and seasonal activations.
Mahan Garden stands as a modern-day embodiment of the Persian garden, translated into a controlled architectural climate using advanced building systems, natural materials, and landscape intelligence. It fuses the elemental—light, water, stone, and vegetation—into an immersive experience that is at once timeless and contemporary. More than a passage or retail walkway, it is a space to inhabit, reflect, and reconnect with the spatial legacy of landscape design.
