Iran X Azerbaijan

The Iranian - Azerbaijani border features two separate towns both named Astara nestled against the Caspian Sea. A local vacation spot for both countries, their physical separation is characterized by the Astarachay river, and at its most eastern point there is little development on either side of it. The rich, natural beauty of the area is something to be treasured, but is there room for gentle human intervention?

This proposal features a soft, light architectural move that would create a connection point between the two Astaras. Identifying the thread as a delicate architectural element, the project features two winding paths with a shared threading handrail that meet on the border, gently hovering above the river. The thread becomes the structure to support the various hoops, as well as a place for hanging swings and benches to sit and watch the games being played. A checkered floor is used, offering a rhythmic cadence for which rules can be derived. The main court is slightly skewed, just enough to be easily recognizable as a basketball court, but also identifiable as slightly different than usual.