Hooman Balazadeh

Hooman Balazadeh (born 1978) is an Iranian architect and the founder of Hooba Design Group, an architecture firm based in Tehran.^[1] Known for integrating traditional Persian elements with contemporary design and sustainable materials,^[2][3] Balazadeh’s projects have received international acclaim, including the prestigious RIBA International Emerging Architect Prize in 2021.^[4]

Hooman Balazadeh
Born	1978 Iran
Nationality	Iranian
Occupation	Architect
Awards	RIBA International Emerging Architect Prize (2021), Architizer A+ Awards, 2A Asia Architecture Award, Villa Property Architecture Prize (2024)
Practice	Hooba Design Group
Projects	Kohan Ceram Central Office Building, Aptus Concrete Factory Showroom, Espriss Café, Ozgol Apartment

Career

After earning a Master’s degree in Architecture in 2003, Balazadeh began his career at the prominent Iranian firm Shirdel & Partners.^[5] In 2007, and officially in 2009, he founded his own practice, Hooba Design Group (also referred to as Hooba Tarh), with a focus on culturally and geographically responsive architecture.^[6]

His design philosophy emphasizes sustainability, the use of local materials, and spatial concepts inspired by Persian architecture. A notable characteristic of Hooba Design’s work is the frequent use of building materials sourced from clients' own factories, such as custom concrete blocks and bricks.^[7]

Major works

Balazadeh and Hooba Design have designed a number of notable buildings in Iran:

• Espriss Café (Tehran, 2014) – A compact and thoughtfully detailed café interior, which won first place in the 2016 2A Asia Architecture Award (Interior Design).^[8][9]
• Ozgol Apartment (Tehran, 2018) – A residential project that explores vertical space and facade composition.^[10]
• Aptus Concrete Factory Showroom (Karaj, 2020) – Designed using concrete blocks sourced from the client's factory, emphasizing industrial aesthetics.^[11]
• Sharif (Peykasa) Office Building (Tehran, 2021) – Located near Sharif University of Technology, this office building highlights technological integration and functional design.^[12]
• Kohan Ceram Central Office Building (Tehran, 2020) – One of Hooba Design's flagship projects, this building features a distinctive double-brick-skin facade and was awarded the 2021 RIBA International Emerging Architect Prize.^[13]

Awards and honours

Top Awards

• RIBA International Emerging Architect Prize (2021) – Awarded to Hooba Design Group for the Kohan Ceram Central Office Building.^[14]
• Villa Property Architecture Prize (2024) – Presented at the Villa Magazine Awards.^[15]
• Architizer A+ Awards (2021, 2015) – Winner in the “Best in Typology: Commercial” category.^[16]
• 2A Asia Architecture Award (2016) – First place in the Interior Design category for the Espriss Café.^[17]
• Iranian Interior Design Award (2014) – First prize awarded to Hooba Design.^[18]

Other

• Second place, Memar Award (2007) – Ehsan Pood Textile Factory
• First place, Iranian Interior Design Awards (2007)
• First place, First Iranian Facade Design Award (2008) – Iranian Architectural Identity
• Third place, Second Iranian Interior Design Awards (2009)
• First place, Third Iranian Interior Design Awards (2010)
• Second place, Memar Award (2013)^[19][20]
• First place, Iranian Interior Design Award (2013)
• Fifth place, Shar Group Competition (2013)
• Second place, Persian Standard Factory Competition (2013)
• Honorable Mention, Khosrow Shahi Garden Design (2013)
• First place, Memar Award (2019) – Public Category^[21]
• First place, Memar Award (2020) – Aptus Concrete Factory Showroom
• Second place, Memar Award (2021) – Hitra Administrative-Commercial Building^[22]
• Shortlisted, WAF Interior Design Award (2012)
• First place, Iranian Interior Design Award (2014)
• First place, 2A Asia Award (Turkey, 2015)^[23]
• First place, Architizer A+ Award (New York, 2015)
• Shortlisted, Brick Award (Austria, 2016)^[24]
• Winner, Main Architecture Prize – Kohan Ceram Central Office (USA, 2020)^[25]
• Shortlisted, Dezeen Awards – Kohan Ceram Central Office (UK, 2020)^[26]
• Nominee, Creative Design Award – Kohan Ceram Central Office (France, 2021)^[27]
• Winner, Architizer A+ Award (USA, 2021)
• Gold Winner, A' Design Award – Kohan Ceram Central Office (Italy, 2021)^[28][29]
• Shortlisted, WAF – Aptus Concrete Showroom (Portugal, 2021)^[30]
• Shortlisted, WAF – Kohan Ceram Central Office (Portugal, 2021)^[31]
• RIBA International Award for Excellence – Kohan Ceram Central Office (UK, 2021)^[32]
• Finalist, Architizer A+ Award – Aptus Concrete Showroom (USA, 2021)
• Finalist, Architizer A+ Award – Sharif Office Building (USA, 2021)^[33]
• Longlisted, Dezeen Award – Aptus Concrete Showroom (UK, 2021)
• Longlisted, Dezeen Award – Sharif Office Building (UK, 2021)^[34]
• Shortlisted, Brick Award – Kohan Ceram Central Office (UK, 2021)^[35]

Philosophy

Hooman Balazadeh’s architectural philosophy centers on the integration of contemporary design with cultural authenticity and environmental consciousness.^[36] Deeply inspired by Persian architectural traditions, his work seeks to reinterpret historical elements through a modern lens, prioritizing harmony between built forms and their geographic and cultural contexts.^[37][38] Balazadeh places significant emphasis on material honesty, often incorporating locally sourced or client-produced materials—such as brick and concrete—as both functional and expressive elements.^[39] His approach fosters a dialogue between innovation and tradition, where spatial quality, light manipulation, and sustainable practices coalesce into cohesive architectural narratives.^[40] He has championed architecture that is not only contextually responsive but also economically viable, avoiding superficial ornamentation in favor of elemental, tactile, and environmentally attuned design solutions.^[41]