Yasaman Esmaili, Kimia Amini
Yasaman Esmaili
Studio Chahar, Gouron Open-air Museum
Iran, Tehran
Yasaman Esmaili is an architect and educator, and the founder of Studio Chahar, an award-winning research-based design studio established in 2018. The studio functions as a platform dedicated to fostering cultural expression, innovation, and community participation in the built environment through collaborative processes, with a particular emphasis on museum design and heritage conservation. Yasaman holds degrees from the University of Tehran, the University of Arizona (M.Arch and Sustainable Design), and the University of Washington (M.S. in Computational Design). A founding member of united4design, Yasaman has over seven years of experience with firms like Blokable, Hewitt Architects, and AE Architects. Yasaman’s recent work has resulted in the realization of several highly acclaimed projects. Her projects have been shortlisted for Aga Khan Award 2022, and won the 2018 Global LafargeHolcim Silver Award and the 2017 Gold Award for the Middle East Africa region. She has received the 2020 Tamayouz Women in Architecture Rising Star award and the 2023 University of Washington Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award. Yasaman has taught at Wentworth Institute of Technology, Roger Williams University, and the University of Washington, and has been a guest critic at several universities including Harvard, the University of Washington, and Yale.
Kimia Amini
Iran National Museum of Science and Technology
Iran, Tehran
Kimia Amini is a project manager and curator based in Tehran and Isfahan, Iran. She holds degrees in archaeology and museology from the Higher Education Center of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage in Iran and has completed her master's studies in International Relations. Kimia has conducted digital archaeological research at Isfahan’s Jameh Mosque (ADAMJI), a UNESCO World Heritage site, and has contributed to the expansion of several museum and archaeological projects. Since 2011, Kimia has been a member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), organizing sustainability educational design workshops. In recent years, she has closely collaborated with the Iran National Museum of Science and Technology, leading multiple exhibitions and international projects. She currently serves as the secretary of the University Museums Council in the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology. She has also collaborated with Studio Chahar since 2021 as an exhibition project lead, museum design project manager, heritage expert, and sustainability event facilitator.
Urban Waste Rethink: Museum, the Community, and Environmental Agency
This paper discusses the Jalal Al Ahmad Museum’s Urban Waste Workshop, a project initiated in Tehran's Sangelaj neighborhood that creatively repurposes recyclable materials, specifically shoe production waste. Conducted at the site of the under-construction Jalal Al Ahmad Museum, the workshop served as an introduction to the museum's future role as a platform for societal and environmental activism. It was designed to enhance cultural, social, and environmental engagement by uniting community members, designers, and environmentalists to transform urban waste into sustainable public space enhancements.
The two-day workshop began with a comprehensive analysis of the materials' origins, their historical context, and potential applications. The subsequent day focused on practical activities, where participants installed and presented their projects. The outcomes of the workshop were centered on enhancing the quality of spaces by emphasizing key aspects and characteristics. This included extending spatial perceptions. Special focus was given to elements such as focus, movement, and the framing of both distant and near views, creating moments of pause for passersby. The results attracted neighborhood experts and members to observe, discuss the results, and brainstorm future opportunities.
This approach proved effective in raising recycling awareness and fostering community involvement and sustainable urban development. The goal was to utilize the unique capacity of museums to promote sustainability and strengthen community ties in historic neighborhoods. By integrating artistic expression, environmental stewardship, and interactive education, the workshop aimed to enrich urban cultural landscapes and encourage widespread participation in sustainability initiatives.
Urban Waste Repurposing, Environmental Activism, Sustainable Urban Development, Community Engagement