Entrance Gate and Walls of the Siraf Refineries Infrastructure Company (SRIC) Area
The design of the entrance gate was a challenge between function and beauty and creation of balance between the two. Both the function of the entrance gate as a representation of the position and the doorway and its aesthetic aspects, given the subject and its background, and, of course, its symbolism should be taken into account. The environmental site is associated with the rugged and barren morphology that covers a vast landscape, where the comprehensive Siraf refinery plan, (Siraf Refineries Infrastructure Company (SRIC)), is located within the area. Considering the contradictory structure between these two inner environments (built environment) and the outer environment (natural environment), a dialogue using the "entrance gate" as the connecting factor and the point of change in space and place should be established.
With regard to the path leading to the entrance gate to which there is a vast corniche and roughness on its surface, we tried to overcome the barriers for seeing. First, we considered the initial volume of the cube, which was the basis for the subsequent development. This is an abstract form of the cubic and simple structure of the buildings in the city of Siraf. This can be seen, especially in the ancient castle of the city. By emptying the middle part and cutting the volume and displacing its two parts, the form is turned from the two-dimensional frame mode and become a three dimensional volume for visibility from different angles. In the view from a far distance, this volume can be visible. But from a near distance, due to high height (35 meters), it leads to confusion. At the lower height (6 m), a bridge as a symbol of "moving forward and progression" is added for the transition between the two sides of the passageway, as well as the definition of the entrance gate on a human scale. As well as, an area is intended on the top of the second volume for the gallery of oil industry achievements and the viewpoint that is accessible to the embedded steps.
Architecture and aesthetics of technical engineering are two elements that go along with each other, where one emerges after the other one. Beauty in industrial environments such as refineries, plants, etc. can be sought in the inherent order of their own spaces. This order emanates from within of themselves and forms the industrial morale and character of these environments so that the form and function are intertwined and formed together. To create such a character in the form of the entrance gate, a symbolic comparison of entrance gate with the elements and internal attributes of the refinery is used to further link with it. The formal similarity with the rig of oil wells, fluid motions of installed and mechanical pipes, steps of towers, structural structure and dominant technical engineering approach, prevailing horizontal and vertical motions in the movement circulation of these spaces are the points that have been considered in the design of the entrance gate.

2017

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