The Jahad Metro Plaza in Tehran, Iran, represents a groundbreaking approach to urban public space design in one of the Middle East's most densely populated metropolitan areas. Completed in 2023 by KA architecture studio under the leadership of Mohammad Khavarian, this 1,000-square-meter project demonstrates how thoughtful architectural intervention can revitalize urban transit infrastructure while addressing the broader challenges of pedestrian-friendly city planning.
Tehran's urban development has undergone dramatic transformation since the Iranian Revolution, with the city experiencing rapid, uncontrolled expansion driven by population growth and centralized governmental policies. The metropolis, which once featured a livable, low-density historic core, has evolved into a car-centric urban environment prioritizing highway construction, extensive street networks, and dense building blocks. This development pattern has systematically reduced the quality of urban life for pedestrians and significantly diminished the city's overall livability.
The Jahad Metro Plaza project emerged as a direct response to these urban challenges, reimagining how public transportation infrastructure can serve as a catalyst for improved pedestrian experiences. Mohammad Khavarian, serving as both lead architect and site supervisor, collaborated with a multidisciplinary team including design specialist Mehrasa Nikookar, structural engineer Mohammad Panahiyan, and lighting designer Meghdad Amiri. The project's facade engineering was handled by Behnood Gooharbin and Masoud Gooharbin, while project definition was overseen by Seyed Saeed Mirhosseini.
The architectural design emphasizes the integration of contemporary materials with functional public space planning. The project prominently features glass and brick elements, creating a visual dialogue between transparency and solidity that reflects both modern architectural sensibilities and traditional Iranian building practices. The careful selection and application of these materials demonstrates the studio's commitment to creating spaces that are both aesthetically compelling and practically suited to Tehran's urban environment.
Documentation of the completed project was captured by photographers Mohammad Hassan Ettefagh, Athena Taleghani, and members of the KA architecture studio team. Their imagery reveals how the plaza functions as both a transit hub and a gathering space, providing essential infrastructure while contributing to the broader urban fabric of Tehran.
The project's construction was managed by general contractor Mehdi Firooziyan, ensuring that the architectural vision was realized within the complex constraints of urban infrastructure development. The plaza serves multiple functions as both a metro station entrance and a public gathering space, demonstrating how transit-oriented development can contribute to more walkable, human-scaled urban environments.
This innovative approach to public space design positions the Jahad Metro Plaza as a model for future urban development projects in Tehran and other rapidly growing Middle Eastern cities. By prioritizing pedestrian accessibility and creating inviting public spaces around transit infrastructure, the project suggests new possibilities for reversing the car-oriented development patterns that have dominated regional urban planning in recent decades.
