At the onset of the 20th century, Isfahan earned the moniker “the Manchester of Iran” owing to its robust textile industry. Nearly 40 spinning factories thrived during this era, predominantly situated south of the Zayandeh Rood river. These factories served as major employers for the residents of Isfahan, with the Risbaf factory being the last surviving remnant. Located adjacent to Chaharbagh Bala Street and encompassing approximately seven hectares, this factory space is a mosaic of alleys, squares, and structures. The inherent spatial qualities of this site make it an ideal canvas for designing a communal urban space. Originally designed for industrial use, it now stands as a proposition for an Urban Shared Space.

Isfahan is renowned for its diverse and contemporary urban spaces, each representing the characteristics of its respective era and contributing to Isfahan’s present-day identity. Consequently, our design concept hinges on preserving the historic essence of this space. To achieve this, we’ve adopted a minimalist approach, eliminating enclosing walls while introducing alleys, squares, and buildings to seamlessly merge with the city. This approach centers around the creation of an integrated ground surface and provides space for simple social activities such as strolling and conversation. Additionally, existing buildings are illuminated, and derelict structures are repurposed as sculptures to enhance the spatial experience.