Interviews with Amin Naimi

Grand Interview

1 July 2025 · Sepanta Multifunctional Hall

“One of the reasons for choosing the turtle shell as inspiration for the design of the opera hall was that the nearest beach to the location is a protected nesting site for turtles. The importance of this issue, along with the elegant form of the turtle shell, led to this design decision.”

“The main challenge in constructing the roof form of the opera hall was determining the type of structure and its covering. After consulting with experts, it was ultimately decided to use a space frame structure with a tensile fabric covering.”

“Although the hall is located a few kilometers away from the turtle nesting site, efforts were made to select environmentally friendly materials. Additionally, the materials chosen were required to be resistant to humidity.”

“The use of solar panels, clean energy sources, and wind turbines—considering the wind speed on this side of Kish Island—is among the project’s environmental goals.”

“Given that Kish Island is a natural habitat and nesting ground for turtles, increasing construction on the island had led to a decline in attention to these animals. Through the design and construction of this hall, we aimed to redirect attention to these beautiful creatures and remind people that this is their home.”

“For the sound and acoustic systems, consultations were held with top specialists during the design phase, and we hope that the implementation will be carried out properly.”

“By using indirect, non-intrusive, and soft lighting—mainly through concealed light sources—every effort has been made to avoid disturbing the turtles’ natural habitat.”

“Efforts were made to maximize the use of lightweight and flexible materials that could accommodate the designed form while also being environmentally friendly.”

“This has a very positive impact, as many designers see that attention to the environment and natural forms is being recognized in architectural competitions. It encourages them to incorporate environmentally inspired forms in their future designs.”

“The restaurant and food court are located on the lower level of the opera hall, with separate entrances from the outside. They were designed and built to complement the required guest facilities, but they maintain an independent identity from the hall, with distinct spaces and separate entrances.”

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Interviews with Amin Naimi

Grand Interview

Your innovative integration of turtle conservation with the architectural design of Sepanta Multifunctional Hall presents a unique approach to environmental responsibility - could you elaborate on how this connection influenced your design decisions and spatial planning?

The wavy, suspended ceiling of Sepanta Multifunctional Hall creates a striking visual parallel with ocean waves - what technical challenges did you encounter in realizing this complex structural element, and how did your team overcome them?

Given the sensitive location of Sepanta Multifunctional Hall near turtle habitats in Kish Island, how did environmental considerations shape your choice of materials, lighting design, and construction methodologies?

The triple-glazed curtain wall in Sepanta Multifunctional Hall offers views of the Persian Gulf while addressing energy conservation - could you discuss how this feature balances aesthetic aspirations with environmental performance?

Your research indicates that Sepanta Multifunctional Hall's design evolved from studying the local environment - how did your initial environmental survey influence the final architectural interpretation of turtle forms in modern context?

The 6,000-square-meter Sepanta Multifunctional Hall accommodates diverse functions including music, theater, and opera - what specific design elements ensure optimal acoustics and versatility across these different performance types?

Looking at the night lighting scheme of Sepanta Multifunctional Hall, how did you balance the desire for dramatic illumination with the need to protect the adjacent turtle habitat from light pollution?

The smooth GFRC surface of Sepanta Multifunctional Hall creates a distinctive architectural statement - what inspired your material selection, and how does it contribute to both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the design?

As recipient of the Iron A' Design Award for Sepanta Multifunctional Hall, how do you envision this recognition influencing future architectural projects that merge environmental conservation with cultural spaces?

The restaurant and food court integration within Sepanta Multifunctional Hall adds another layer of functionality - could you explain how these social spaces were designed to complement the main performance venue while maintaining their own distinct identity?

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition