Architecture studio Hooba Design Group has unveiled plans for the Marbella Residential Complex, which would comprise a series of stacked villas in Kelarabad, Iran.

Seeking to propose a more sustainable alternative to a typical apartment block, the 38,477-square-metre complex by Hooba Design Group will be composed of "high-rise villas" that draw on both "regional architecture and local environmental laws".

"The residential pattern has changed from an apartment pattern to high-rise villas in such a way that a villa with its own typology can be formed on any plot of land," the studio said.

"The expansion of this typology is in search of an alternative method of construction in this geography of Iran, based on the local knowledge of the region itself."

Renders of the proposal reveal a network of raised, pitched volumes stacked on top of one another with the use of large columns.

At ground level, a large, grassy base will host a series of additional spaces, above which an expansive seating area will be sheltered by the villas.

The volumes, which vary in width and height, are each depicted with large openings and entirely glazed fronts that lead out to planted terraces overlooking the surroundings.

A series of elongated roof terraces, which will be connected via external staircases and complete with greenery, will span atop the development to provide additional space for residents.

Visualisations of largely-wooden interiors reveal lofty, open-plan living spaces featuring glazed divisions and mezzanine levels, along with swimming pools.

According to the studio, sustainability measures will include the collection and purification of rainwater within the complex.

"An attempt is made to create a sustainable ecosystem – in terms of energy and water supply – in such a way that the majority of the water consumption of the entire complex can be provided by collecting rainwater and purifying water in the complex," the studio explained.

Also in Iran, KA Architecture Studio topped a metro station in Tehran with brick barrel vaults and Olgoo completed a subterranean holiday home near Tehran that critiques overdevelopment.

The visualisations are courtesy of Hooba Design Group.

Project credits:

Principal architect: Hooman Balazadeh, Mousa Azizi
Client: Paya Sazeh Pasargad
Project manager: Hamidreza Mahmoudian
Project architect: Sanaz Goodarzi
Design team: Mahsa Mazhari, Mahour Arab, Emiko Sudo, Samaneh Mir-ahmadi
Motion graphics team: Peyman Nozari, Milad Mohammadi
Structure: Saeed Ferdosi, Mohammad Ali Tajjali
Mechanical consult: Babak Nazarparvar, Mojtaba Arabpour
Physical model: Hiroto Sudo, Emiko Sudo