Specialised “Villa Design” Programme

September 12, 2026

SPECIALISED “VILLA DESIGN” PROGRAMME
Villa International Academy
With Amir Abbas Aboutalebi,
CEO & Editor-in-Chief, Villa Magazine
Principal Architect, AAdesign Atelier

The villa has long served as one of architecture’s most important laboratories for experimentation, individual expression and the development of new ideas. For many influential architects, the villa has provided a unique opportunity to test architectural concepts at an intimate scale—often becoming a platform for entering professional practice, developing a distinctive architectural identity and gaining recognition within both professional and academic circles.

The Specialised “Villa Design” Programme at Villa International Academy is designed as an intensive, highly selective and semi-private learning experience for emerging architects, designers and talented architectural students who seek to develop a stronger conceptual, design and professional approach to villa architecture.

With a strictly limited number of participants, the programme is held at Sohravardi Atelier and consists of six three-hour sessions. Rather than following a conventional lecture-based format, the programme combines theoretical discussion, design practice, critical review and project development.

The programme is structured around three interconnected areas:

PART I — THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS

The Ideology of the Villa
Villa Typology, Styles and Architectural Approaches
The Evolution of the Villa in Iran and the World
Villa Culture, Lifestyle and Economics
The Villa as an Architectural Laboratory
Positioning and Competition in the Contemporary Villa Market

PART II — DESIGN PRACTICE & PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

From Imagination to Concept
Developing a Villa Design Concept
Reading and Analysing Site and Context
Climate, Landscape and Cultural Context
Spatial Organisation and Villa Programming
Design Development and Architectural Decision-Making
Project Presentation and Representation:
Sketches, Physical Models, Digital Tools, Diagrams, Drawings and Other Methods

PART III — PROJECT DOCUMENTATION & PROFESSIONAL POSITIONING

Architectural Writing and Storytelling
Describing and Communicating a Villa Project
Critical Writing and Architectural Argument
Professional Project Documentation
Preparing a Project for Publication
Participation in National and International Architectural Competitions and Awards
Building an Architectural Portfolio and Professional Identity

VGENE — DESIGN QUALITY & ARCHITECTURAL PERFORMANCE

The programme will also introduce selected principles of VGENE (Villa Green Energy & Environmental Network) as a framework for enhancing the environmental performance and architectural value of villa projects.

Topics include energy optimisation, resource efficiency, lightweight construction, environmental responsiveness, and the role of integrated design strategies in improving the quality, performance and positioning of architectural projects.

LEARNING THROUGH CASE STUDIES

Throughout the programme, participants will study the work of leading Iranian and international architects and examine selected iconic villa projects through their concepts, design strategies, relationship to context, representation and architectural narratives.

The objective is not simply to study existing villas, but to understand how architectural ideas are formed, developed, communicated and ultimately positioned within professional practice.

THE VILLA NETWORK

Selected participants will be introduced to the Villa international professional and editorial network, creating opportunities to engage with the broader community surrounding Villa Magazine, Villa Academy, Villa Award and Villa Foundation.

The programme is intended not only as a design course, but as an intensive platform for developing architectural thinking, design capability, professional presentation and a distinctive position within the field of villa architecture.

ADMISSION & SELECTION

Participation is by application only and subject to a review of the applicant’s academic and professional background.

Applicants whose profiles meet the programme’s initial criteria will be invited to an “Outstanding Villa Talent” interview.

The selection panel will include:

One representative of the Editorial Team of Villa Magazine
One representative of the Editorial Team of Villa Academy
Director of Villa Award
Director of Villa Foundation

Following the successful review of the applicant’s academic and professional CV and completion of the interview, the programme fee and final participation conditions will be communicated individually to the selected applicant.

Limited places. Admission by selection.