ReNest,
Post-War School-Rebuilt by its Own Community
Principle Architect : Pouya Nasr
Principle Architect : Pouya Nasr
Panel of Juries,
People from:
Zaha Hadid Architects
Studio Tim Fu
MC Studio
Foster and Partners
Bjarke Ingles Group
OBMI
Synthesis Architects
Project
In Feb. 2026, during the war, a school was devastated by an air strike, leaving behind a scar that extends far beyond its damaged walls. More than a building was lost; the local community lost a part of its collective future.
Today, the site remains abandoned, suspended between memory and ruin. Rather than treating the school as a monument to destruction, this project reimagines it as a living framework for recovery. Inspired by the nest-build ing ingenuity of weaver birds and informed by the indigenous principles of KAPAR vernacular architecture. The context-oriented proposal empowers students and local communities to become active participants in rebuilding their own environment.
KAPAR Morphology (SINCE C. 4000 BCE)
Kapar is a traditional vernacular shelter found primarily in the warm and humid regions of southern and south-eastern Iran. Originating more than 6,000 years ago, this lightweight architectural typology emerged as a direct response to local environmental conditions, available natural resources, and the lifestyle of rural and nomadic communities. (studies on published article, 2020) Architecturally, Kapar is characterized by a lightweight curved or semi-cylindrical structure formed through a series of bent timber or reed frames. The structural skeleton is covered with woven mats, palm foliage, reeds, and other locally sourced organic materials, creating a permeable envelope that promotes natural ventilation and passive cooling. The spatial configuration is simple and functional, generally comprising a single enclosed volume used for living, sleeping, storage, and social activ ities. (studies on published article, 2020)
KAPAR Form Evolution (ReNest)
The architectural language evolves from the traditional Kapar, constructed from reed, wood, and palm foliage, into a contemporary system of lightweight pavilions distributed across the site. These structures create a network of learning, gathering, play, and reflection spaces embedded within a topographic landscape designed for exploration and social interaction.
Beyond its role as a school, ReNest is conceived as a flexible community infrastructure. In doing so, it transcends its original function to become a symbol of resilience, reunion, and collective memory, a platform where communities can reconnect, learn, and heal together
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