Baka Cafe

2022 | Commercial

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Baka Cafe

Our office faced an interior design commission for a 30-square-meter takeaway cafe in Rasht. From the outset, this project presented numerous challenges. The client's desire for a fully modern design, emphasizing dark materials, wood, and metal throughout the interior, combined with the small footprint, demanded a deep, research-driven approach. Within this limited space, we had to integrate temporary seating, a customer order area, and a section for ancillary product sales, which further added to the design's complexity.

The ultimate goal of our design philosophy was to evoke a familiar and pleasant feeling in the subconscious of the visitor. This sensation would be rooted in their memories and perceptions of local architecture, yet expressed through a completely modern language. This approach was built upon the aforementioned core design principles: "fracture, displacement, dynamism, angle shift, and purity."

"Fracture" and "angle shift" refer to breaking straight lines and introducing unconventional angles in surfaces and volumes. This not only helped visually define different functional zones within the cafe's small footprint but, inspired by Rasht's winding alleys and organic natural forms, also instilled a sense of vitality and visual depth. "Displacement" and "dynamism" signify visual movement and a lack of static arrangement in elements and forms. This evokes the vibrancy of urban life and local bazaars in Rasht, imbuing the space with a lively and dynamic energy.

01/06

Architectural Specifications

Project TypeCommercial

StatusCompleted

LocationRasht

Built Area30 m²

Year2022

ArchitectK.Nazari

TeamP.Nassirof · R.jahangard · N.Mahdavi · H.Hamdavi

01/06

Baka Cafe

Our office faced an interior design commission for a 30-square-meter takeaway cafe in Rasht. From the outset, this project presented numerous challenges. The client's desire for a fully modern design, emphasizing dark materials, wood, and metal throughout the interior, combined with the small footprint, demanded a deep, research-driven approach. Within this limited space, we had to integrate temporary seating, a customer order area, and a section for ancillary product sales, which further added to the design's complexity.

The ultimate goal of our design philosophy was to evoke a familiar and pleasant feeling in the subconscious of the visitor. This sensation would be rooted in their memories and perceptions of local architecture, yet expressed through a completely modern language. This approach was built upon the aforementioned core design principles: "fracture, displacement, dynamism, angle shift, and purity."

"Fracture" and "angle shift" refer to breaking straight lines and introducing unconventional angles in surfaces and volumes. This not only helped visually define different functional zones within the cafe's small footprint but, inspired by Rasht's winding alleys and organic natural forms, also instilled a sense of vitality and visual depth. "Displacement" and "dynamism" signify visual movement and a lack of static arrangement in elements and forms. This evokes the vibrancy of urban life and local bazaars in Rasht, imbuing the space with a lively and dynamic energy.

Smart Home

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2026 | May | 15

Shipping Containeer

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2026 | May | 15

Kinetic Facade Systems

Responsive building envelopes in coastal temperate zones negotiate daylight penetration, solar thermal gain, and natural airflow. By translating mathematical origami patterns into articulated metal louvers, facades transform from static boundaries into living environmental filters.

Our experimental prototypes demonstrate a 34% reduction in peak cooling loads when coupled with automated angle shifting based on seasonal solar trajectories.

2026 | Apr | 28

Acoustic Joinery in Rasht

Exploring how micro-perforated local hardwood screens dampen urban reverberation while cultivating intimate hospitality environments. In compact takeaway cafes and boutique retail interiors, acoustic comfort often dictates the perceived spaciousness of an environment.

Through staggered wooden battens and sound-absorbing felt backings, we eliminate harsh echoes without sacrificing clean, minimalist planar geometry.

2026 | Apr | 12

Form Evolution & Spatial Theory

Grayscale Office

Grayscale Office (GSO) is an architectural and spatial design studio based in Rasht, northern Iran. Our practice operates at the intersection of contextual memory and contemporary geometric abstraction.

We approach every commission—from compact retail pavilions to civic public halls—as an inquiry into how built space can evoke an intuitive sense of belonging. By synthesizing the climatic nuances of the Caspian littoral with rigorous computational detailing, our architecture creates quiet, poised environments calibrated for contemporary life.

Est. 2019 | Rasht, GuilanArchitecture · Interiors · Urban Research

Design Principles

01

Fracture & Angle Shift

Breaking orthogonal constraints to instill visual depth, inspired by the winding alleys and topography of northern Iran.

02

Displacement & Dynamism

Expressing visual movement and non-static arrangements that reflect the vibrant pulse of Caspian urban life.

03

Material Purity

Direct honesty in concrete, steel, dark timber, and local masonry without cosmetic ornament.

04

Vernacular Continuity

Reinterpreting traditional semi-open Talār verandas and natural cross-ventilation in contemporary language.

Team & Leadership

01

K.

K. Nazari

Principal Architect & Founder

Leads conceptual development and architectural theory at GSO. Focuses on transforming local vernacular typologies through modern geometric abstraction.

02

P.

P. Nassirof

Senior Architectural Designer

Specializes in spatial organization, structural systems, and material detailing across residential and commercial commissions.

03

R.

R. Jahangard

Computational Design & Facade Systems

Directs environmental modeling, parametric skin development, and digital fabrication workflows.

04

N.

N. Mahdavi

Interior Architecture & Joinery

Oversees tactile interior environments, custom acoustic millwork, and micro-spatial space optimization.

05

H.

H. Hamdavi

Technical Coordination & Project Delivery

Manages engineering integration, construction documents, and site precision across Guilan province.

Inquiries & Studio Directory

Headquarters

Grayscale Office (GSO)
22 Bahman Boulevard, Lakani District
District 2, Rasht, Guilan Province, Iran

Geo: 37.2737° N, 49.5796° E

View on Google Maps↗

General & Project Inquiriesstudio@grayscaleoffice.com

Telephone+98 (13) 3375 8420

Press & Mediapress@grayscaleoffice.com

Studio Hours (IRST)

Sat – Wed: 09:00 – 18:30
Thursday: 09:00 – 14:00
Friday: Closed

Direct Transmission

GSO Architectural Practice

Studio LocationStudio Location & Cadastral Mapping

Double Click To Open In Google Maps

Coordinates: 37.273678, 49.579568Rasht, Gilan Province, Iran