The idea of this project was shaped by our attendance in voluntary documentation of the Ghyathia School workshop in September 2022, in Khargerd. This is one of the greatest historical Timurid heritage of Iran. While working in this school which is the only remarkable potential of this village by the public, and even the professional, we noticed the worthiness of responsive vernacular architecture of this region that has used the local wind energy to provide urban resiliency of this area for years. The famous 120-day Sistan wind refresh the region's excruciating heat. Traditional windmills or Asbads were built based on the climatic conditions, to flour wheat and make bread using these winds. Numerous short adobe wind catchers provide a pleasant indoor air quality for residents, while presenting an eye-catching landscape. The beautiful unique adobe context of this village is going to be destroyed in modern construction, due to lack of knowledge about its values. Talking to some of the residents of adobe context of the village we find out their needs to renovate their houses. This project aims to preserve the adobe context of Khargerd, while improving living conditions in two phases. In the first phase it is considered to refurbish one of the adobe houses, and also the only Ecotourism Residence of the village. In the second phase the two remains of Aasbads of Khargerd, and also their nearby park will be reused.

Cooperating with local people, and indicating the richness of their vernacular context can be a key to increase self-esteem of the villagers while preserving their historical heritage. This also can lead to improving their financial situations by attracting tourists. 
Reusing the old windmills can preserve this valuable sample of historic architecture. They represent a kind of responsive and passive strategy of using wind energy, a low-tech beautiful turbine which is made of natural materials and works well for years. This must be preserved for the next generations. The kids park near old Aasbad, can be an opportunity for local people, their children, and visitors to talk, feel and think more about the way of living by nature. 

Gel Studio is a sustainable design studio at Shiraz, focusing on Vernacular Architecture, Passive Design and Architecture for Humanity. It has 2 fixed members and in every projects according to its needs, some members added to this team. In this project we have a nice chance to cooperate by a range of professionals, university students also lovely people of Khargerd village.
Aida Zare M: Co-Founder of Gel Studio
1984, Shiraz, Iran, Architect and University Lecturer.
Sobhan Zare M: Co-Founder of Gel Studio
1988, Iran. Master of Architecture. Working in the different fields of architecture, art and graphic designing.
Anis Darvishi
Master of Restoration of Historical Buildings and Context. Her childhood was marked by historical monuments in Khorasan regions. Since 2015, she works on Windmills. 
Amir Ashna, Parisa Talepour, and Fateme Shakib 
The talented interior architecture students of Shiraz University of Arts, they are interested and work on passive design, vernacular architecture, and hands on experiences.

Narjes Delavari, M.A of Architecture, Qavam al-din Shirazi is her favorite Iranian classic architect.

Maedeh Karimi, Master of urban design, Interest in architecture design, and find solutions in Urbanism and mapping.

Maryam Shouride, master of Iranian Architecture studies is also with us.