SCoopA, Solutions- Expo Milano Competition 2015
Facing the critical global challenges of desertification and overpopulation, Bahareh proposed "Green Desert", a multi-layered urban strategy that reimagines the arid landscape as a viable and sustainable habitat. The project is situated in Iran’s Dasht-e Lut, a vast desert shaped by hydro-aeolian processes that have formed distinctive yardangs, elongated ridges carved by wind erosion.
Instead of imposing foreign forms onto the landscape, Bahareh’s design works with the topography. She conceived a network of settlements integrated directly into the yardang formations, using the existing geology to provide climatic protection and spatial structure. The proposal leverages the desert's abundant natural resources, integrating solar radiation, geothermal energy, and wind power to create a self-sufficient ecosystem capable of supporting life in extreme conditions.
A key innovation in the proposal is the hydro-mechanical transportation system. Bahareh designed a vertical circulation network consisting of three interconnected rotating wheels, driven by the kinetic energy of descending water sourced from traditional qanats. As the water flows through the structure to the residential blocks, it powers the movement of the city while simultaneously providing passive cooling. This continuous circulation reduces temperature differentials, limiting energy loss and ensuring thermal comfort for the inhabitants.