An Inspiration from Nature, a Work by Mohammad Ghaffari and Shahab Ahmadi
The works of designers around the world are directly rooted in their personal viewpoints and artistic philosophies, which are clearly perceptible in their creations. Within the realm of design, many architects have entered other design disciplines, and this distinction is often evident in their work, frequently resulting in highly distinctive outcomes. Architecture is an inherently interdisciplinary profession, sharing numerous commonalities with other fields. Accordingly, architects often extend their practice into other areas of design. In this section, we introduce two young architects who, in addition to architecture, are actively engaged in other design disciplines.
Shahab Ahmadi and Mohammad Ghaffari, both of whom have produced works across various design scales—from conceptual design to fabrication—have, on this occasion, collaborated to create a joint collection inspired by nature. In this collection, an effort has been made to reinterpret existing products of the past by considering their original context and function, while redefining them through a conceptual and functional lens.
Beginning with Shahab Ahmadi: an architect, conceptual designer, and researcher, and founder of Hasht Architecture Office. His professional path began in childhood with an interest in graphic design and an early understanding of aesthetics at a micro scale. Due to the close relationship between architecture and graphic design, he developed an interest in architecture and pursued formal academic studies in this field. Following the establishment of Hasht Architecture Office in 2014 (1393) together with Iman Hedayati, he commenced his professional practice while continuing research, design, and construction across various architectural projects. He has consistently placed emphasis on the continuity of Iran’s historical architectural creativity, its evolution, and attention to profound human concepts within the lived experience of space.
Furthermore, the limitations of materials and construction methods, combined with a desire for innovation and the application of contemporary knowledge in service of architecture, led him toward research and experimentation with materials and construction techniques. After implementing these approaches in numerous architectural and interior architecture projects, participating in various competitions, and receiving multiple awards in the field, he developed a strong interest in product design and its alignment with experiences of design and construction. With familiarity in computational design, he entered the realm of computational design and digital fabrication through the presentation of the Architecture and Magnetism project in 2016 (1395), co-developed with Mohammad Koochaki, which was presented at one of the most prestigious international conferences on digital architecture (eCAADe 2016). He now seeks to employ this knowledge to traverse the continuum from architecture to product design as an interconnected process.
With a strong interest in architecture and other design disciplines, he has produced creative works in interior design, industrial design, and graphic design through a deep understanding of material properties—outcomes shaped by his experience across multiple architectural fields. Currently, in a joint endeavor with Mohammad Ghaffari, architect and designer, he has contributed to the creation of a collection titled Concept, approached from a conceptual perspective and inspired by nature.
Mohammad Ghaffari is an architect, jewelry designer, conceptual designer, and researcher, and the founder of ENS Design Studio. His deep childhood interest in charcoal drawing and painting scenes from nature and urban architecture led him to pursue higher education up to a master’s degree in architectural engineering. He began presenting his artistic works through an exhibition in Russia titled Night of Iranian Arts, and to date has participated in over 30 domestic and international exhibitions, including in London, Dubai, Armenia, Russia, and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. His experience includes serving as a jury member in architecture and fashion, teaching, membership in the working group of the Iran National Fashion Foundation, and more than nine teaching terms in interior architecture programs at the University of Tehran’s Center of Excellence since 2012 (1391).
He considers his design collaboration with Tadāvom-e Pouyā Architecture Office and the experience of receiving numerous national and international awards to be among the most valuable periods of his architectural career. His professional portfolio also encompasses works in other artistic disciplines, including architecture, industrial design, graphic design, and fashion design.
Membership in the International Council of Museums (ICOM) under UNESCO, along with serving as artistic advisor to the Presidency of the High Council of Stamps and the Communication Museum, has enabled him to curate more than five art exhibitions in prominent museums. His collaborations with media—as a researcher and editorial secretary of Villa Magazine, and with Tarah o Memar and Fashion Emrooz magazines—reflect his strong commitment to research. He regards the role of the author-designer within society, in both design and research, as a personal responsibility.
In the most recent collaboration between these two designers, a jewelry collection inspired by nature and based on a semantic interpretation of Iran’s deserts has been created under the title “The Dream of the Desert.” The Dream of the Desert represents the aspiration for life and vitality at the heart of the desert—a precious gem that shimmers like a mirage; a longing for existence within nonexistence. The design of The Dream of the Desert jewelry collection has been developed with careful attention to body ergonomics and a sensory design approach, creating a pathway for discovering both the visible and hidden dimensions of the work. It offers a spectrum of shifting perspectives for the viewer and wearer, as though engaged in a search for the revival of lost days.
