Architecture of Tehran
Encyclopedia
Tehran is a relatively old city. As such, it has an architectural tradition unique to itself.
Despite the occurrence of earthquakes during the Qajar period and before, some build
ings still remain from Tehran's era of antiquity. However, most of Tehran's architecture has been obliterated by the wave of hasty modernization that swept through the capital over the last 40 to 50 years. Of the 8 city gates of old Tehran, none remain today.
Tehran's growth began with the Qajar dynasty
declaring Tehran as their capital. Soon many palaces were built and by the late 1970s, Tehran had grown so large that Ray
, a former satellite and city in itself, became connected to the ever expanding "Greater Tehran".
The Qajar culture flowered into a mature form of vernacular architecture, and many relics today remain of this tradition. Most, however, are government offices and residences of the royal elite. The "Kushak" of Ahmad Shah
in the Niavaran Palace Complex
is a fine example of this tradition.
Many of the urban designs of modern Tehran are attributed to Victor Gruen
in the 1960s. Gruen devised a master plan for many of northern Tehran's neighborhoods between the years 1963-1967.
Pahlavi architecture tried incorporating themes from European Modern architecture
. The "White House" of Sadabad Palace
or the main Palace of Niavaran are examples of this style of design.
Despite the chaotic sprawl of Tehran, many designers are gradually incorporating aesthetics in their designs, and international awards have been given to projects in the city.
launched the May 2004 Tehran architecture conference with a candid critique of Tehran's architectural development. He stated that municipal authorities have turned their backs on Tehran
's heritage and looked toward the West - Paris, London and New York — for inspiration. "I think they abandoned Tehran", he is quoted as saying, "Innovation, yes. But not slavish copying. Forgetting your heritage, forgetting your background is not recommended."
Frye continued that modern buildings in Tehran should maintain a Persian style and sensibility and "not be a copy of the bad architecture that sweeps the world in globalization", he remarked. "I think it’s essential that the heritage of a people be preserved. If Wal Mart came to Isfahan
, what would happen to the bazaar?"
Frye has urged Iranians to work hard to preserve their identity.
Despite the occurrence of earthquakes during the Qajar period and before, some build
ings still remain from Tehran's era of antiquity. However, most of Tehran's architecture has been obliterated by the wave of hasty modernization that swept through the capital over the last 40 to 50 years. Of the 8 city gates of old Tehran, none remain today.
Tehran's growth began with the Qajar dynasty
Qajar dynasty
The Qajar dynasty was an Iranian royal family of Turkic descent who ruled Persia from 1785 to 1925....
declaring Tehran as their capital. Soon many palaces were built and by the late 1970s, Tehran had grown so large that Ray
Ray, Iran
Rey or Ray , also known as Rhages and formerly as Arsacia, is the capital of Rey County, Tehran Province, Iran, and is the oldest existing city in the province....
, a former satellite and city in itself, became connected to the ever expanding "Greater Tehran".
The Qajar culture flowered into a mature form of vernacular architecture, and many relics today remain of this tradition. Most, however, are government offices and residences of the royal elite. The "Kushak" of Ahmad Shah
Ahmad Shah Qajar
Ahmad Shah Qajar was Shah of Iran from July 16, 1909, to October 31, 1925 and the last of the Qajar dynasty.- Reign :...
in the Niavaran Palace Complex
Niavaran Palace Complex
thumb|right|350px|The "Kushak" of Ahmad Shah, or [[Ahmad-Shahi Pavilion]] |PavilionNiavarān Palace Complex is a historical complex situated in the northern part of Tehran, Iran. It consists of several buildings and a museum. The Sahebqraniyeh Palace, from the time of Naser al-Din Shah of Qajar...
is a fine example of this tradition.
Many of the urban designs of modern Tehran are attributed to Victor Gruen
Victor Gruen
Victor David Gruen, born Viktor David Grünbaum , was an Austrian-born commercial architect best known as a pioneer in the design of shopping malls in the United States.- Biography :...
in the 1960s. Gruen devised a master plan for many of northern Tehran's neighborhoods between the years 1963-1967.
Pahlavi architecture tried incorporating themes from European Modern architecture
Modern architecture
Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...
. The "White House" of Sadabad Palace
Sadabad Palace
The Saadabad Palace is a palace built by the Pahlavi dynasty of Iran in the Shemiran area of Tehran.The complex was first inhabited by Qajar monarchs and royal family in the 19th century. After an expansion of the compounds, Reza Shah lived there in the 1920s...
or the main Palace of Niavaran are examples of this style of design.
Despite the chaotic sprawl of Tehran, many designers are gradually incorporating aesthetics in their designs, and international awards have been given to projects in the city.
The architectural development of Tehran according to Richard Frye
Prominent Iranologist Richard Nelson FryeRichard Nelson Frye
Richard Nelson Frye is an American scholar of Iranic and Central Asian Studies, and Aga Khan Professor Emeritus of Iranian Studies at Harvard University...
launched the May 2004 Tehran architecture conference with a candid critique of Tehran's architectural development. He stated that municipal authorities have turned their backs on Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
's heritage and looked toward the West - Paris, London and New York — for inspiration. "I think they abandoned Tehran", he is quoted as saying, "Innovation, yes. But not slavish copying. Forgetting your heritage, forgetting your background is not recommended."
Frye continued that modern buildings in Tehran should maintain a Persian style and sensibility and "not be a copy of the bad architecture that sweeps the world in globalization", he remarked. "I think it’s essential that the heritage of a people be preserved. If Wal Mart came to Isfahan
Isfahan (city)
Isfahan , historically also rendered in English as Ispahan, Sepahan or Hispahan, is the capital of Isfahan Province in Iran, located about 340 km south of Tehran. It has a population of 1,583,609, Iran's third largest city after Tehran and Mashhad...
, what would happen to the bazaar?"
Frye has urged Iranians to work hard to preserve their identity.
See also
- Architecture of Iran
- Goldis TowerGoldis TowerGoldis Tower is a shopping center located in the commercial district of Sadeghiyeh in Tehran, Iran....
- Tehran International TowerTehran International TowerThe International Tehran Tower is a 54-story building in Tehran, Iran. It is the tallest residential building in Iran.It is located North of Youssef Abad district, close to Kordestan and Resalat Expressway.-Facilities:...
- Bāgh-e FerdowsBagh-e FerdowsBāgh-e Ferdows , also known as Emārat-e Bāgh-e Ferdows and The Mohammadieh Palace, is a historical palace in Tajrish, Shemiran, North Tehran, between Zafaraniyeh and Jafar Ābād. It is part of a palace complex consisting of two castles, the North Castle and the South Castle, of which the former has...
External links
- Library of Congress on Tehran's Architectural Conference
- US State Dept on the Conference
- On the Shahyad (Azadi) Tower
- Photos from the changing face of Tehran
- Modernized Iranian architecture in Tehran (Video, 6 min 48 sec), Press TV, 26 September 2010.