Iranian architecture stands as a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage, marked by a unique blend of tradition and innovation. The works of famous Iranian architects not only reflect the historical depth and artistic flair of various eras but also profoundly influence contemporary architectural practices worldwide. From the intricate tilework of ancient mosques to the modernist approaches of today’s designers, Iranian architecture showcases a diverse palette of styles that embody the values and aspirations of its people. This article delves into the significance of these architects and their enduring impact on both national identity and global architectural trends.
Introducing Prominent Iranian Architects
Master Akbar Matifi Fard (son of Master Hossein) was born on 1956 october 25 into an artistic family and started working with his father at the age of 9 and began learning the traditional Iranian art of plastering from the same age.
Among the works of Master Akbar Motifi Fard, one can mention eight years of apprenticeship under his esteemed father at the shrine of Imam Reza. After his father’s passing, he undertook notable projects for two years at the Bagh-e Ferdows complex in Tehran. Following his time at Bagh-e Ferdows, he worked at the private residence of the Minister of Oil, which is now the building of the Iraqi Embassy in Tehran. After his father, he recorded significant works in his resume. He teaches Iranian art as a professor at the university after gaining valuable experiences and developing unique ideas.
Master Matifi Fard’s implementation of Iranian architecture and Islamic architecture, along with traditional, modern and applied stucco
Some of the works of Master Akbar Motifi Fard:
The shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh
The shrine of Imam Reza
Restoration and renovation of the houses of the Ameri and Tabatabai families
Sultan Ahmad Bathhouse in Kashan
Imamzadeh Ali Akbar in Chizhar
Imamzadeh Ismail in Chizhar
Imamzadeh Abdullah in Shahr-e Rey
Imamzadeh Ismail in Mighun
Imamzadeh Mashhad in Mighan, Arak
Prince Mohammad
Imamzadeh Reyhan in Khomain
Restoration and renovation of historical houses in Naein and the Naein Grand Mosque
Restoration of the Yameh Caravanserai in Ardabil and the Ardabil Mosque
The Grand Mosque of Tabriz
Artam Omran Vision Company, managed by Engineer Matifi, has been engaged in art, traditional design and traditional and modern execution for many years, taking advantage of this capacity in the implementation of traditional and modern plastering projects. You will learn more about the master’s portfolio and ideas below.
For more information and access to more content, you can refer to the link below. If you are interested in viewing the executed images and various works of Master Matifi Fard, refer to the gallery
2.Seyhoun Houshang
Of Contemporary Iranian Architects
You only need to search a little in the field of architecture to have heard the name of Houshang Seyhoun, a personality who has a very high position among domestic architects and is one of the best contemporary architects in Iran. After completing his studies in architecture at the University of Tehran, Professor Seyhoun moved to France, the Faculty of Fine Arts in Paris, to complete his education and training. After that, he worked at the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran. After that, he also served as the president of the university for several years. Among his honors is the introduction of three academic fields: urban planning, performing arts, and music. Professor Seyhoun, as one of the contemporary architects of Iran, managed the architecture of important historical monuments, including the tomb of Nader Shah in Mashhad, Kamal al-Molk in Neyshabur, the tomb of Khayyam in Neyshabur, the tomb of Mohammad Taghi Khan Pesian, the design of the Toos Museum building in 1969, and the Sepah Bank building in Tehran’s Topkhaneh Square, etc. For this reason, Professor Houshang Seyhoun is known as the “man of lasting buildings.” He also participated in a painting exhibition at the University of Massachusetts in 1972, where his works were exhibited alongside the works of Picasso and Dali. His paintings were centered around Iranian landscapes and villages. The orientation and tendency of Master Houshang Seyhoun, one of the famous Iranian architects, was functionalism, or in other words, everything that is designed and built should appear natural. Master Houshang Seyhoun died in Vancouver, Canada in 2014.
3.Hossein Amanat
One of the famous contemporary Iranian architects is Hossein Amanat, who graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Tehran. Professor Houshang Seyhoun was also a student of Professor Houshang Seyhoun. Hossein Amanat’s most famous work is the Freedom Tower in Tehran. The design for the Freedom Tower was proposed by Professor Amanat at the age of 24 under the name “Shahyad”, which dates back to before the revolution. Then, it was implemented in a competition titled “Memorial of the 2500-year celebrations”. Professor Houshang Amanat was interested in modern architectural style, and the general architectural design of this building was inspired by the buildings of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque and Kasra Arch. Of course, his works are not limited to the Azadi Tower, as the Sharif University of Technology building, the Iranian Embassy in Beijing, and many other valuable works of this famous Iranian architect are also included. Hossein Amanat should be considered one of the prominent architects of the modernist style, which he combined with the traditional Iranian style.
4.Bahram Shirdel
A famous Iranian architect who graduated from American universities (specializing in architecture at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, USA) and Canada (University of Toronto) in the field of architecture with the subject of research on the historical texture of Isfahan, called the City of Spectators. His first professional work was the establishment of the architectural office of “Axe Reno Consulting Engineers”, and then he established the “Office of Shirdel and Kinips Consulting Engineers” and began working in London. In Iran, a branch of this office called “Shirdel and Associates Consulting Engineers” began working in 1997. Among the honors of us Iranians is that Professor Shirdel has also been a lecturer at the universities of Chicago, Texas, Miami and the American University of Sharjah in the UAE. Before entering Iran, his works were related to the urban design of the Los Angeles Metropolis and Montreal, Canada, the National Museum of Scotland, the Library of Alexandria in Egypt, the reconstruction of Samarkand in Uzbekistan, the Thara Conference Hall in Japan and Jacques Cartier Square. They entered Iran after the 1970s, including the works of Bahram Shirdel, Iran’s best architect, the passenger terminal of Imam Khomeini International Airport, the National Water Museum, the Kansai Library in Japan, and the development plan for the shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh in Qom.
Different Iranian styles and their influence on world architecture
ranian architecture is one of the oldest and most diverse architectural styles in human history, which has been influential in different countries of the world from very distant times to the present day. These styles, with their own characteristics, have been formed over different centuries and based on different cultural, religious and social conditions. Iranian architecture has been influential not only in Iran but also in many parts of the world, including India, Central Asia, the Caucasus and even Europe.