Gooshe Music Cafe | Ashari Architects

Café Gooshe is located at one of the corners of a cultural complex corridor with no view of the exterior space.

After a few meetings with the complex owner, who is a big advocate of music and theater, we have defined the project question: How can we create a pleasant and private space for artists while also creating an interaction between inside and outside of the café. The goal was to not to encroach on the café's space.

In response to the project challenge, the design team was inspired by one of the ancient performing arts of Iran known as "Sayeh Bazi," or shadow play. In "Sayeh Bazi," the performance is based on cascading shadows of a series of dolls on the wall, which is cast by a light source.

The design consists of semi-transparent matte glass panels (frosted panels) to separate the Café from the lobby and act as a screen to cascade the visitors' shadows on it and simulate "Sayeh Bazi." Each scene on the screen conveys a distinct story. The visitors' shadows create an interaction between inside and outside of the café and entice the visitors' imagination.

The Café stage, as the essential element of the Café," is located behind the transparent glass panel. The glass panels provide a unique experience of projecting the shadows of events such as music concerts, theatre, and dance performances. This phenomenon entices the sense of curiosity and provides appealing visual connections and interactions between the café and visitors.

The glass panel was suspended to reveal visitors' feet to provide a dual interaction between the inside and outside of the café. As a result of all the design moves, the café simulates the shadow play and the visitors acting as dolls from the exterior view. Furthermore, this whimsical element in different hours of the day creates a dynamic façade.

The café aux influences the furniture layout of the café. The stage is at the common border of the lobby and cinema complex, located on the outer side of the café. The seating and chairs are oriented toward the stage and the kitchen at the corner of the café. The entrance and take out area are located between the seating area and kitchen.