HooBA Design Group Reinterprets Tradition Through Light and Materials

HOOBA Design Group operates from Tehran with a focus on material application and light to address local climate and urban context. Since founding the practice in 2007, architect Hooman Balazadeh has secured local and international recognition for a portfolio of buildings that prioritize refined construction and the reinterpretation of vernacular wisdom.

Connecting local culture with contemporary design requires a specific approach. Balazadeh explained that his method relies on a dialogue between modern architecture and local culture. Instead of copying historical forms, the firm seeks to reinterpret the spatial intelligence, craftsmanship, and environmental knowledge found in traditional structures. The goal is to create buildings that feel timeless while remaining deeply connected to their specific site and expressing a modern architectural language.

Architecture should draw on Indigenous knowledge but also advance it. This pursuit of expansion defines the core principles of the practice. By grounding contemporary design in historical context, the firm avoids superficial stylistic choices in favor of work that resonates with its surroundings.

Windows as controlled relationships

Windows and openings serve as more than sources of light and ventilation. They shape the user’s experience of the space. The firm finds inspiration in traditional Persian architecture, where courtyards and filtered light create moments for contemplation.

Each aperture is treated as a carefully framed relationship between the interior and exterior. This approach controls privacy and views while establishing a deep relationship to the environment. The design treats openings as an integral part of the overall strategy. This method reinforces a unified architectural language rather than creating fragmented expressions across the facade.

By treating these openings as a consistent system, the firm ensures the spatial quality and livability of the project remain high. The result is a seamless transition between inside and out that guides the viewer’s experience.

Materials with new identities

Material selection is central to the firm’s output. Balazadeh believes materials must express both their intrinsic character and the identity of the place. The team reinterprets traditional elements like brick and stone using contemporary techniques and detailing.

In the Kohan Ceram project, brick ceramic was combined with glass to form a composite material. This substance functions simultaneously as structural infill, interior and exterior finish, and thermal insulation. Its semitransparent quality allowed the material to be deployed throughout the project, generating multiple architectural performances from a single geometry.

The Sharif project took a different approach to the modular nature of brick. Here, the material strategy integrated solar-control capabilities with intelligent facade technologies. This transformed the brick into an active component of the building’s environmental performance.

The role of construction and craft

Balazadeh noted that craft is not simply about fine detailing. It is a way of thinking that reflects the care invested in every decision. This includes the spatial composition, the proportions, and how materials meet and age over time. The firm was honored to receive the Best in Craft award for the 2026 Architizer A+Awards. This recognition aligns with the belief that meaningful architecture emerges from the thoughtful integration of design, materiality, and skilled execution.