Rong Cultural Center: participatory design and sustainability

The island of Hormuz is a 42 km long, oval-shaped tongue of salt land that extends into the Persian Gulf. The Rong Cultural Center, with its shape in harmony with the island but also in its own iconic way, is located in the main port of Hormuz.

Dialogue for Design

The ZAV Architects studio, which is responsible for designing the Rong cultural center, before proposing any architecture projects, initiates a collaborative process with the community. For the designers, it is essential that Rong has a calculated presence on the island, paying attention to social and environmental sustainability, therefore multidisciplinary workshops and brainstorming sessions are organized with the local people. A spontaneous initial result is a temporary community center, where the process of aggregation and participation begins, endearing the population to the project and its meaning.

The design concept

The ZAV Architects then studied the geomorphology of the island, leading them to choose an earth effect as the finish for the center and a shape reminiscent of a hilly terrain. To build such a natural form, in harmony with the island, the team concluded that the earth construction system and Nader Khalili's Super Adobe method could be appropriate. In its implementation, the adopted sandbags technology was combined with a steel structure covered in cement.

Gathering Place

The Rong cultural center includes a 45-square-meter tourist information office and a cafeteria, as well as a bike rental and an 80-square-meter sort of stage. This platform can host cultural activities, events, and ceremonies that catalyze interaction between locals and tourists, ultimately serving as an urban space where people can stroll.

Sustainability and multiculturalism

The presence of the Rong Cultural Center creates pride among the island's inhabitants, as well as being highly appreciated for the activities it offers. Rong has provided Hormoz with a multicultural public space. The amphitheater plays an important role for musical, cultural, and environmental events. The Rong building is sustainable and recyclable, quick and easy to construct, which is why its model can be replicated further.

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ZAV Architects

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