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Iran

Employing Iranian architectural forms and elements was one of the guiding principles of this design. The house is divided into two volumes, centered around open spaces (courtyards) and joined in the middle by a narrow passageway that resembles a lane. One of the volumes contains the public spaces of the house, the other one is private. Tile, stone, plaster and parquet were among the finishing materials. Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Sadri Residence

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The house successfully combines elements and details of three traditions in architecture: Iranian, Armenian, and Western, each dating back to a different period in Iranian history. In the later years of Qajar rule, the house served as the British General Consulate in Isfahan. Now, after a three-year restoration, it is the central headquarters of Polsheer Associates. Brick, tile, glass and canvas were all used in the restoration. Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture See also: "2002 Award of Merit: Polsheer House." UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards Website. <a href="http://www.unescobkk.org/index.php?id=2172"target="_blank">http://www.unescobkk.org/index.php?id=2172</a>. [Accessed December 21, 2006]

Polsheer House

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As an expression of its function -- a carpet-weaving factory -- the walls of this complex are interwoven. Its materials -crashed stone and granite, as well as glass and aluminium - were chosen with the natural texture of the region in mind. In addition to manufacturing shops, the complex also contains several showcase galleries. Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Zarbaffar Carpet Weaving Factory

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The design of the university is based on two important features of Iranian urbanism: the bazaar and the courtyard. The ‘bazaar’ is a pedestrian way placed at the centre of the university, and the buildings placed around it take their inspiration from the ‘Khan Madrassa’, which was designed as two intertwining courts. The architecture makes use of elements such as the canopy, the porch and the terrace to counter the effects of the hot and dry climate. Source:&nbsp;Aga Khan Trust for Culture

University of Pharmacology

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A plain, dilapidated structure was renovated and expanded to create a family home. The building is organised linearly, to fit the long and narrow site (10m by 70m). A central axis, which takes the form of a bridge, links its three layered components. The core of the house - the old building - contains the kitchen, guestrooms and a study, with bedrooms above. To the south is the public sphere, with a dining hall set over a pool. To the north is a private area with the children's bedrooms. Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Navab Safavi Residence

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The Central Library, which doubles as the first mediatheque in Iran, is a cubic building located on the historic&nbsp;<a href="http://archnet.org/sites/2717" target="_blank">Naghsh-e-Jahan square</a>, opposite&nbsp;<a href="http://archnet.org/sites/136" target="_blank">Hasht Behesht Royal&nbsp;Gardens</a>. The&nbsp;design draws on the spatial concept of a palace, creating a transparent interior space separated from the interior by a veil-like lattice wall. The building is set over five storeys, three of which are below ground to preserve the integrity of the skyline in this historic neighbourhood. The materials used are stone, brick, glass, aluminium, and cement and steel in composite form. Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture

City Central Library

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Jordan

To take advantage of Amman’s Mediterranean climate, the Iranian embassy is constructed of terraces of open and closed spaces in five different volumes that encourage airflow to create a cool environment inside. The structure evokes the urban environment of Amman, which is built on terraces on the hillsides. A walkway winds up to the embassy, its walls perforated with openings of different sizes spaced in an irregular pattern, creating a play of light and shadow. Source: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2011.

Embassy of Iran

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Mohamad Reza Ghanei

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Mohamad Reza Ghanei

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