A three-storey cultural centre, built on a 10,000 square metre site, in a 13.5 metre deep pit. The building was constructed underground so as to preserve the traditional axes of Tehran and the surrounding buildings, and so it could be connected to the old palaces. Geometric forms were incorporated onto the ceilings and extensive use of natural light is provided via the roof. Materials that do not require additional finishing were purposely chosen in order to reduce maintenance costs, and include white aggregate exposed concrete, bricks, stone, glass, wood, steel, tile, and granite (travertine).

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture