Born on February 2, 1954, in Tehran, Hadi Teherani moved to Hamburg with his family at age six. He immersed himself in Hamburg’s architectural environment, later studying at Braunschweig University of Technology between 1977 and 1984 archdaily.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15caoi.ir+15. Although he initially ventured into fashion design in Cologne, his passion pivoted to architecture, which led him to co-found BRT Architects in 1991 alongside Jens Bothe and Kai Richter. In 2003, he established Hadi Teherani AG, a platform for delivering holistic design across architecture, interiors, and products.
Architectural Landmarks: Cityscapes Reimagined
Teherani’s signature style is glass‑dominant architecture, prioritizing light, air, and panoramic views.
- Dockland Office Building, Hamburg
Shaped like a ship’s prow, the building projects nearly 40 meters over the Elbe River. Within its 9,000 m² floorplan, communal areas like conference zones are “midships”, and the glazed façade affords sweeping port views for employees. - Dancing Towers (“Tanzende Türme”), Hamburg
Two lean‑slanting towers (up to 3 m tilt) at Reeperbahn, they stand as kinetic symbols of the city’s energy, expressing movement through architecture. - Mercator One, Duisburg (2020)
A sleek corporate complex designed with refined facade and lighting features, earning both federal and Iconic Awards. - Zayed University, Abu Dhabi (2011)
An organic roof design echoing desert topography frames communal shaded plazas and flexible spatial flow, embodying his commitment to climate‑smart planning.
Other significant works include the Swiss Re HQ in Munich, Frankfurt Airport long‑distance station, Crane Houses in Cologne, and Lodha Altamount in Mumbai.
Sustainability & Design DNA
Teherani firmly embeds sustainability in his architecture. For example:
- Lakeside Resort near Kellersee features geothermal heating, solar energy, green roofs, lake‑cooling systems, and platinum DGNB certification goals.
- Frankfurt Airport long‑distance station is Germany’s first “green” railway station.
- Collaborations on sustainable timber facades and energy‑efficient design reflect his environmental priorities .
Holistic Philosophy: Architecture Meets Object Design
A key to Teherani’s success is his integration of architecture with interiors and product design. He designs everything—from door handles and furniture (like the Interstuhl “Silver” chair, Poggenpohl kitchens, Axor faucets) to textiles, e-bikes, and even 3D‑printed bio-plastic stools.
“Architecture provides the basic foundation for a spatial idea. Only the complex implementation, from smallest details to emotionally tuned space, can realize a comprehensive design concept.”
This principle ensures that every bathroom, chair, or facade connects to the larger architectural narrative, giving each element a seamless, emotive cohesion .
Recognition & Global Footprint
Teherani’s blend of holistic innovation and international reach has garnered numerous accolades:
- Awarded the German Federal Cross of Merit (2020) .
- Recipient of MIPIM, LEAF, FIABCI, CityScape, ARX, and Iconic Awards.
- Operates studios in Hamburg, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Moscow, Bangalore, with ongoing global projects world-architects.com+10en.wikipedia.org+10welt.de+10.
Vision for the Future: Cities in Flux
In a 2024 interview, Teherani emphasized that cities thrive on change, supporting high-rises like Hamburg’s Elbtower and urging faster digital permitting and practical ecological standards to foster new housing development.
He remains optimistic amid industry fluctuations, encouraging investors to seize opportunities with realistic pricing and supportive policies .
Conclusion: A Legacy Beyond Buildings
Hadi Teherani’s career spans from his pioneering auto dealership and railway station to lantern-like towers and whole-campus designs. At its core, his work is holistic, sustainable, and sensorial, bridging architecture, urbanism, interiors, and product design.
His buildings highlight transparency and contextual awareness. His products echo an architectural DNA in design and detail. And his vision for cities, dynamic, efficient, and sustainable, is pushing architecture into an integrated future.
Teherani is more than an architect: he’s a designer of environments, crafting spaces and objects that connect human experience, the built world, and the planet, always with the same cohesive, emotionally driven hand.
