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The Mellat Park Cineplex project in Tehran is located in the far southwest side of Mellat Park, on a long and indeterminate piece of land with an area of 6,000 sq. meters. After studies of parks all over Tehran relative to urban planning considerations, Mellat Park has been programmed to serve multiple urban functions and because of its size it has an extensive urban impact. Moreover, this park can host special performance/ functions from across the city, specifically in the fields of educational and professional research. The construction of this project responds to a regional necessity (the lack of cultural and cinematic spaces) and is a net-positive for the city as a whole.


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Approaching the site

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Exterior

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Exterior

The complex is limited by the park’s recreational space to the north and the east, by the Niayesh Highway in the south and by the Enghelab Sport Complex in the west. Having a total built area of 15,000 sq. meters, this project consists of 4 cinema halls, each seating up to 300 people and a small performance salon with a capacity of 40. It also features exhibition areas, a restaurant, coffee shop, music and book store, and office/service areas. In total, it can accommodate about 2200 people at peak hours.


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Exterior, viewing into the plaza

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Exterior, viewing into the plaza

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The plaza

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The plaza

Due to the long and indeterminate shape of the site, the spatial organization of the project creates 2 cinema halls on the basement floor and 2 other cinema halls on the first floor, which in order to best take advantage of the exquisite nature of the environment, are connected two by two, mirroring one another on 2 levels (on the basement and ground floor).


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Entry ramp from the plaza

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Interior ramps

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Interior ramps

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Interior stair case

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Interior ramp

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Interior ramps

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Interior ramps

Thus, by connecting the slopes of the two cinema halls along one another, the spatial organization resulted in the creation of three extensive open spaces: the first one, at the basement, is dedicated to exhibition activities. The second one, on the ground floor, creates a huge covered plaza (EYVAN), which is considered the main public space of this project. This covered plaza is a place for conversations, exchanging ideas and different cultural and social activities. The 3rd one, on the highest level, is dedicated to the restaurant and the food court of the complex.


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Gallery space

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Theater entry

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Theater

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Shop space

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Restaurant space

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Roof

These three horizontal open spaces are connected to each other via two vertical spaces on each end, containing waiting areas and service spaces. The connecting elements for circulation such as the corridors, escalators, elevators have also been affected by the special form of the halls and open space. The special stretch and curve in the form of the building results in continually changing section widths and make it possible to design smooth and curving ramps along the building’s northern side. Hence, like the sidewalks and topologic pathways in the park, the circulation spaces create an expression of continuity wherein these spaces are brought into the building. The effect is one of cinematic creation, in which exquisite scenes shift with you as you move throughout the building.

In the end, one can say the form of the building and its elements are in accordance with the shape of the site, all operating integrally like a living organism having relative and consequent elements.


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Circulation diagram

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Spatial organization diagram

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3D section

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Site plan

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Second basement

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First basement

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Ground floor plan

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First floor plan

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Second floor plan

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Longitudinal section A

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Longitudinal section B



Fluid Motion Consulting Architects was established in 2004 by two architects, Catherine Spiridonoff and Reza Daneshmir, in the city of Tehran. To date, the office has worked on a variety of architectural and urban design projects. The office has been responsible for design and project management and in their work, have focused on improving the quality of architecture in their country.


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