Creative Echo Factory

Creative Echo Factory transforms the abandoned Gol Narges Vegetable Oil Factory in Shiraz into a 10-hectare hub of creativity, culture, and urban interaction. About 40% of the original structures are preserved, while burned walls, silos, and fragmented industrial elements are reimagined as active, interactive, and educational spaces. Rather than reconstructing the past or freezing it in nostalgia, the project activates memory — creating a living spatial echo that engages physically, visually, and emotionally.

A transparent lattice “ghost” reconstructs the factory’s lost mass, anchored to the preserved remains. From afar, it recalls the original silhouette; from within, it dissolves into light, shadow, and fluid circulation. Silos become vertical “Sky Towers” of light and sound, while burned walls are transformed into exhibition and interactive surfaces. The central void hosts a contemporary “Goud Ab” water basin that manages rainwater, creates reflective landscapes, and functions as a social and playful gathering area.

The project delivers a fully multisensory experience: shifting shadows, dynamic lighting, soundscapes, aromatic plants, tactile interaction with raw materials, and kinetic exploration across open paths. Sustainability is embedded through solar energy, passive ventilation, adaptive material reuse, rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable surfaces — transforming a formerly polluting industrial site into a model of ecological performance.

Emerging technologies — AR, VR, and AI — narrate the factory’s past, visualize speculative futures, and invite visitors of all ages to engage with cultural, educational, and creative programs. The site hosts creative workshops, oil-culture educational spaces, open-air performances, and interactive labs, ensuring continuous activity and social interaction.

Strategically integrated into the urban fabric, the project connects Hafezieh, Shiraz University, residential and commercial zones, and the future metro, becoming an active civic node rather than an isolated relic. Creative Echo Factory demonstrates that adaptive reuse is not just preservation; it is resonance, activation, and cultural production.

We do not build walls — we build echoes.
We turn silence into sound and connect Shiraz’s past to its future through creativity.

Total Project Area: 10 hectares

Preserved Existing Structures: ~40%, including burned walls, silos, and reinforced concrete structures

New Interventions:

Transparent lattice structure to reconstruct the factory’s ghostly silhouette

Reimagined silos (Light and sound Sky Towers, greenhouse for aromatic and oil-producing plants, product shop, participatory workshops)

Pedestrian and creative circulation paths

Exhibition and educational spaces

Central “Goud Ab” basin for stormwater management and interactive/play area

Structural Systems:

Steel frame for lattice structure and light/sound towers

Reinforced concrete for preserved structures

Lightweight modular structures for workshops and flexible spaces

Facade / Envelope: Transparent mesh and glass panels integrated with existing structures

Energy & Sustainability:

On-site photovoltaic panels covering the site and greenhouse

Passive ventilation and orientation-based natural airflow

Use of recycled and local materials

Rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable surfaces for stormwater management

Water Management:

Central “Goud Ab” basin for stormwater collection and runoff control

Recycled water network for greenhouse, green spaces, and workshops

Emerging Technologies:

AR/VR storytelling of the factory’s past and speculative future

AI-driven interactive installations for visitor engagement

Program / Uses:

Greenhouse and educational space for aromatic and oil-producing plants

Shop for oil and perfume products

Participatory community workshops for oil extraction and perfume-making

Creative studios, exhibition halls, educational and research spaces

Interactive playgrounds and exploratory pedestrian paths

Open social and performance areas

Visitor Experience:

Multisensory (visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, and kinetic)

Exploratory pathways and interactive installations

Light and sound towers, AR/VR installations for immersive past and future experiences

Urban Integration: Direct connection to Hafezieh, Shiraz University, residential/commercial districts, and future metro station, creating an active urban node and cultural destination

Student & Lead Designer: Fatemeh Farajzadeh Dehkordi – Master’s Student in Architecture, Shiraz University; conceptual design, industrial site adaptive reuse, and urban creativity

Faculty Advisor / Mentor: Dr. Amin Habibi – Faculty Member, Shiraz University; guidance in contemporary architecture and industrial heritage revitalization