Hossein Amanat
Encyclopedia
Hossein Amanat is an Iranian-Canadian
architect. He is best known for being the architect of the Azadi Tower
in Tehran, Iran, and the Bahá'í Arc
buildings in Haifa, Israel. He is a Bahá'í
.
As a young graduate from the University of Tehran
he won a nationwide competition in 1966 to design the Shahyad Tower, renamed the Azadi Tower
. This first architectural project led to the opportunity to create some of Iran's most distinctive projects with reference to traditional Persian architecture. Amongst them are the initial buildings of the Sharif University of Technology
in Tehran
, Iran
., the Persian Heritage Center, the Faculty for Business Management of the Tehran University and the Embassy of Iran in Beijing
, China
.
Since moving to Canada in 1980, Hossein Amanat, a Bahá'í
himself, designed the three administrative buildings on the Bahá'í Arc
in Haifa
, Israel
, the Bahá'í House of Worship
in Samoa
., the Jiang’an Library for the Sichuan University
, the media library for the Beijing Broadcasting Institute. He designed religious and cultural centers for the Bahá'í Faith
near Dallas, Seattle and Washington DC, several multifamily condominiums in Santa Monica, CA. and mixed-use high-rise buildings in San Diego, CA. and Burnaby, B.C., Canada.
Iranian-Canadian
Iranian Canadians or Persian Canadians are Canadians of Iranian/Persian national background or descent. Their numbers are estimated as 121,510 from the 2006 Canadian census and the main communities can be found in Southern Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec; the vast majority, however, live in...
architect. He is best known for being the architect of the Azadi Tower
Azadi Tower
The Azadi Tower , previously known as the Shahyād Āryāmehr , is the symbol of Tehran, the capital of Iran, and marks the entrance to the city.-Construction:...
in Tehran, Iran, and the Bahá'í Arc
The Arc (Bahá'í)
The Arc is a number of Bahá'í administrative buildings at the Bahá'í World Centre on Mount Carmel located at Haifa, Israel. They include the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the Seat of the International Teaching Centre, the International Archives, and the Centre for the Study of the Sacred...
buildings in Haifa, Israel. He is a Bahá'í
Bahá'í Faith
The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
.
Practice
University of Tehran
The University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
he won a nationwide competition in 1966 to design the Shahyad Tower, renamed the Azadi Tower
Azadi Tower
The Azadi Tower , previously known as the Shahyād Āryāmehr , is the symbol of Tehran, the capital of Iran, and marks the entrance to the city.-Construction:...
. This first architectural project led to the opportunity to create some of Iran's most distinctive projects with reference to traditional Persian architecture. Amongst them are the initial buildings of the Sharif University of Technology
Sharif University of Technology
Sharif University of Technology is a university of higher education in technology, engineering and physical sciences in Tehran. Sharif University of Technology is one of the most prestigious universities in the country, and is considered Iran's MIT...
in 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...
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
., the Persian Heritage Center, the Faculty for Business Management of the Tehran University and the Embassy of Iran in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Since moving to Canada in 1980, Hossein Amanat, a Bahá'í
Bahá'í Faith
The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
himself, designed the three administrative buildings on the Bahá'í Arc
The Arc (Bahá'í)
The Arc is a number of Bahá'í administrative buildings at the Bahá'í World Centre on Mount Carmel located at Haifa, Israel. They include the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the Seat of the International Teaching Centre, the International Archives, and the Centre for the Study of the Sacred...
in Haifa
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, the Bahá'í House of Worship
Bahá'í House of Worship
A Bahá'í House of Worship, sometimes referred to by its Arabic name of Mashriqu'l-Adhkár ,is the designation of a place of worship, or temple, of the Bahá'í Faith...
in Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
., the Jiang’an Library for the Sichuan University
Sichuan University
Sichuan University is one of the oldest national universities in China. It is ranked No. 8 among the Chinese universities according to the 2010 Academic Ranking of World Universities....
, the media library for the Beijing Broadcasting Institute. He designed religious and cultural centers for the Bahá'í Faith
Bahá'í Faith
The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
near Dallas, Seattle and Washington DC, several multifamily condominiums in Santa Monica, CA. and mixed-use high-rise buildings in San Diego, CA. and Burnaby, B.C., Canada.
Awards
- 2001 American Concrete Institute Award
- 1995 Excellence in Building Design, Marble from Greece Competition
- 1985 Tucker Award for Architectural Excellence
- 1975 Royal Pahlavi Medal for Design
- 1971 Medal of Art - Iranian Ministry of Education