Cheragh Nia
Architectural Portfolio
2017-2021
Zahra.Cheraghnia@mail.polimi.it
I am a computational designer with a background in architecture and experience in digital fabrication, additive manufacturing, and robotic fabrication. Utilizing advanced design and fabrication techniques, I develop innovative solutions for a wide range of projects.
Performing Arts Center
HARKAT Booth
Museum of Azerbaijan Music
Secondary School
Villa
Final Projet
Supervisor: Dr. Leila
Rahimi
Software: Revit - Lumion
Diverse generations, cultures, and beliefs inherently shape architectural landscapes, necessitating adaptability for sustained relevance. Today’s technological advancements afford greater design flexibility, underscoring the importance of accommodating evolving patterns across different eras. Despite Tabriz’s cultural richness, a notable scarcity of cultural facilities exists, with Tabriz University failing to allocate dedicated spaces for artistic education. Therefore, the establishment of an exhibition and performing arts center becomes imperative, not only to enrich the arts but also to facilitate their integration with architectural discourse, fostering mutual growth and innovation. Moreover, such a project presents an opportunity to explore cutting-edge technologies in construction, aligning with the evolving needs and possibilities of contemporary architecture.
The building’s morphology and shape are inspired by the nature of the performing and visual arts, which have been analyzed to inform its design. The initial form of the building serves as the structural framework for the exterior shell.
Constructed with concrete and glass walls, the building is intended to display its activities from various angles and scales within the university.
The complex consists of four buildings grouped around a central site, accessible from surrounding walkways. The performance space is located to the north, multi-purpose exhibition halls are connected to the south and east sides, and the administrative offices are situated on the west side
1.Dressing Room
2.make-up Room
3.Practice Room
4.Music Room
5.Resting Room
6.office
7.Interview Room
8.Storage
9.Control Room
10.Stage
11.Storage
12.Archive
13.Secretariat
14.Security Office
15. Resting Room
16.Toilets
17.Pantry 18.Offices
19.Storage
20.Cafetria
21.Lobby
22.Exhibition
23.Conference Room
24. Exhibition
25.Ticket Office
26. Security Office
27. Exhibition
1.Lobby
2.Performance Hall
3.Control Room
4.Security 5.office
7.Management
8.Technical Room
9.Meeting Room
10.Foyer
A-A
B-B
International Student Festival of HARKAT
commissioning institution: The University of Tabriz
Software: Revit - Lumion
The International Student Festival of HARKAT is the largest student event in Iran, organized by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology. This festival uniquely combines the elements of a traditional festival and an exhibition, bringing together students from around the globe. Its primary goals are to encourage student projects and activities, inspire creativity, and serve as a platform for fostering international cooperation among students.
During the festival, students from various disciplines collaborate to showcase their respective fields and departments. As an architecture student, I was part of the design and construction group, contributing to the creation of our department’s booth. Designing a booth for this event is crucial for representing our department and highlighting its strengths and innovations.
In 2020, as Tabriz hosted the International Student Festival, we envisioned an extraordinary booth. Embracing the festival’s global essence, we chose a modern style to symbolize progress and innovation. The shared architecture and philosophy booth uniquely blended structure and thought. Inspired by deconstructivism, our design captured fragmentation and reinterpretation. With bold lines and dynamic shapes, our booth evoked curiosity, inviting visitors to explore the connections between architecture and philosophy. It stood as a testament to modern design, where form becomes a canvas for intellectual exploration.
As members of the architecture department, we were honored by the University of Tabriz, which appointed us as the designers of the hosting booth. This privilege allowed us to select our booth location, ensuring an optimal position to showcase our work.
The western staircase, being more accessible from the entrance, influenced the orientation of the booths. Consequently, the architecture booth entrance is positioned to ensure its interior is visible from the upper levels, enhancing visibility and engagement.
Architectural Design Studio 3
Supervisor: Dr. Leila Rahimi
Software: Revit - Lumion
Golestan Garden, a historical park in Tabriz, was transformed from a public cemetery to a city park during the second Pahlavi era. Located in the historical district, it houses significant architectural and cultural heritage sites but has faced social challenges, prompting a revitalization design through a cultural center.
Inspired by the shared heritage and transformative impact of Azari symphonic music, the design symbolizes cultural renewal. The booth features a disharmonious structure reflecting the current state and a regular cube as a museum to break the dissonance. Drawing inspiration from Fikret Amirov’s “Azerbaijan Capriccio,” the design embodies diverse mughams and serves as a metaphor for social and cultural transformation, aiming to rejuvenate Golestan Garden into a vibrant cultural hub.
“Azerbaijan Capriccio” starts with a dynamic climax in CHAHARGAH mode. Reflecting this, the main entrance is at the highest level, symbolizing reaching a peak to visit the museum.
The piece begins with a dynamic CHAHARGAH tetrachord by brass, then shifts to strings at 35 seconds. Two brutal forms represent these tetrachords, shaping the building’s main theme.
At 5:10, the piece shifts to introverted SHUR Mugham, inspiring stairs to the lowest galleries. At 5:50, it shifts to SEGAH Mugham, reflected by part of the lower level being at and below ground.
At 1:30, the piece modulates, reducing dynamics. At 3:30, it shifts to joyful RAST Mugham, inspiring a spacious, bright museum entrance.
At 4:30, the piece modulates to spiritual HOMAYUN Mugham, leading us to the first gallery where we explore the basis and concept of music.
At 6:13, “MORGHE SAHAR” in SEGAH Mugham symbolizes freedom, leading visitors to higher levels with open areas, while at 7:30, the piece returns to CHAHARGAH with an aggressive phrase, represented by stairs back to the entrance.
1. The Main Lobby 2. The First Gallery
Security
The Locker Room
WC Rooms
Conference Hall
1. Temporary Exhibition
Terrace
Children’s Gallery
Cafe
Cafe Kitchen 6. Practical Classes
Classes 8. Teacher’s Room
Kitchen
WC Rooms
Storage
Practice Room
Library
1. The Lobby of the Galleries
2. The Gallery of the Common Era
3. The Gallery of the Independency
4. The Gallery Classical Music of Azerbaijan 5. Cinema Museum 6. Store 7. Warehouse 8. Warehouse Manager Room
9. The Secretary of the Manager
A-A
B-B
Architectural Design Studio 2
Supervisor: Hossein Fallahnezhad
Software: Revit - Lumion
The area is currently home to three schools—a high school, a middle school, and a primary school—built around 40 years ago, prior to the expansion of residential estates. Consequently, issues such as traffic congestion and noise pollution were not anticipated, creating significant challenges for residents over the years. The primary goal of the new design is to address these problems by demolishing the existing schools and replacing them with a combined secondary school, which includes both a high school and a middle school.
Current traffic problems stem from school buses and narrow street entrances. I separated school entrances and exits, placing entrances in the north, high school exits on the west, and middle school exits on the east to prevent blockages.
In Tabriz, the southern sun is ideal, while the western sun is not. I oriented buildings west to east to maximize southern exposure, minimizing western. Classrooms are on the southern and northern sides for better energy efficiency.
To reduce noise pollution, I placed playgrounds in the site’s center, away from western and eastern buildings, and added greenspaces around them.
To reduce wind and noise, green spaces were added in wind-affected corners, creating a pleasant landscape for students, staff, and residents.
1. copy room
2. school clerk’s office
3. computer lab
4. auditorium
5. sport room
6. studio
7. kitchen
8. principal office
9. parent’s meeting room
10. conference room
11. wc room
12. counselor office
13. student association room
14. school health room
1-teacher’s room
2-classroom
3-study room
4-library
5-laboratory
6-computer class
Section A-A
B-B
Architectural Design Studio 1
Supervisor: Hassan Niazi
Software: Revit - Lumion
The site was located on sloped land, presenting a challenge to design for maximum productivity while minimizing costs. Additionally, the villa was situated in a crowded district, necessitating a solution for the parking entrance. National Building Regulations required the building to be at least three meters from the northern boundary and limited its width to fifteen meters. Consequently, only 30-40 percent of the land was available for construction, with the remainder designated for yard and green spaces. Furthermore, the villa’s design needed to include a plan for arranging the rooms and living areas for the inhabitants.
The two-meter slope difference between the northern and southern parts was addressed by creating garden steps in the yard.
Regulations divided the constructible area into two yards: one for the entrance and one for the backyard.
To maximize room space, I put the parking in the basement with a ramp on the southern side, as the northern area was too short.
1-Parking
2-Sport room
3-Bathroom
4-Laundry room
5-Storeroom
1-Piano class
2-Bathroom
3-Living room
4-Kitchen
5-Sitting room
6-Guest room
Mezzanine level
7-Library
1-Bedroom
2-Bathroom
3-Dressing room
4-Workroom
5-Entrance
6-Living room
7-Kitchen
First Floor
Section A-A
