Through The Eyvān 2.0
The project, a visual diary of historical houses in Iran began after graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2018 and the development of the series Through The Eyvān during my MA in London. While working on the series I spent much time on researching Persian miniatures and became fascinated with the usage of patterns and motifs in architectural structures. Therefore in 2018 I decided to travel to Iran and visit different cities and historical houses to photograph, document and further research Persian architecture, design and motifs. I became fascinated with the ornamental Gač-bori, Āina-kāri and moqarnas on the walls and ceilings.
Borujerdi-ha House
Kashan, Iran
Built in 1857 by architect Ustad Ali Maryam and frescoes by prominent painter Kamal-ol-Molk.
It is said that a merchant, Borujerdi fell in love with Tabātabāei’s daughter, and when he formally proposed for her hand in marriage, Tabātabāei invited the suitor into their lavish house and stated that if you can build a house as beautiful as this, for she has grown in wealth and luxury then you can have her as your wife. Thus Borujerdi House became a man’s proclamation of love and fulfilling the condition of their marriage.
Incompetency in conservation
As majestic the presence of these houses are, unfortunately many parts of their structures have deteriorated due to lack of proper conservation and funding. While many houses have survived the neglect, regrettably there are countless historical and cultural sites that have been destroyed through carelessness and disregard to their history and heritage or demolished to build contemporary buildings on top for monetary personal gain.
A number of these destroyed houses are in Shiraz, my own hometown. In February 2018 Shams Salimi House in Lotfali Khan Zand St. and Yadollah Montaseri House in Montaserian alley, both from Qajar period which were inscribed on the National Heritage were illegally razed down to the ground at night. Unfortunately they weren’t stopped before extensive damage was done. The destruction of historic buildings in Shiraz has a record in the last decade, while these houses have the capacity to flourish the historical context of this metropolis and the economy of the capital of Fars province, but with or without permission, they are teared down in total darkness. Some of the removals are due to the development for expansion and build around Shāh Chérāgh Haram, a Shia mosque and funerary monument. More than dozens of registered National Heritage sites have been destroyed, further erasing the historical fabric of the olden neighbourhoods.
Tabātabāei House
Built in 1834 by architect Ustad Ali Maryam
Tabātabāei House is one of the most beautiful and spectacular historical monuments of Kashan, located in the neighbourhood of Sultan Amir Ahmad in the old district. The house is considered as one of the masterpieces of ancient architecture, it was built by Seyed Jafar Tabātabāei, one of the famous carpet merchants of that time. His house like other historical buildings of that period, has luxurious decorations, architectural originality and design in accordance with the specific culture and climate of its region.
The most mesmerising ornamental details of the house that I personally love is the design patterns of Āina-kāri and Gač-bori - mirror and plaster work.
Privatisation of cultural heritage into boutique hotels
While the government’s failing can be seen in many sectors. There are individuals whom on their own time and expense started to preserve and bring attention to the restoration of Persian cultural heritage, particularly in architecture and design.
When visiting these locations and conversing with the managing teams, they explained that the current owners purchased the old abandoned and deteriorated house - many which were privately owned and built in the Qajar era - for renovation and rebuilding. Most of these houses are turned into boutique hotels or restaurants, fortunately they are kept on record and the council of Cultural Heritage mandates them to be registered as part of National Heritage sites.
This movement has grown in the recent years in most cities of Iran and is a positive progress. Reconstruction of these architectural sites are more than a tourism attraction and money making schemes. They have revived and connected the younger generation with their heritage and traditional craftsmanship and design. Although, because the properties are now privatised and renovated into businesses, I wonder how much of the integrity and elements of the original house is retained. What conservation protocols were followed or if the choice of the aesthetics were purely personal preferences. Nonetheless one thing is certain, the spirit and atmosphere of traditional Iranian design is preserved and rebuilt within the contemporary context.
Manouchehri House
Kashan, Iran
Restored in 2010 by architects Shahnaz Nader and Akbar Helli
To talk about the Manoucheri house, one must first mention the woman behind the renovation of this beautiful house, Saba Manouchehri Kashani. A starter of movement and the trigger for many similar initiatives across cities in Iran, bringing attention to the deteriorating and disappearing traditional craft and design of Iran. When in conversation with individuals in Kashan they only had kind words to say about her extraordinary vision and change within the city. The architecture dates back to the Safavid dynasty. In 2007 it was purchased by her and was officially registered as a National Heritage house.
“The combined reinvigoration of the architectural and craft-work heritage in an old city has sparked a broader revitalisation. A boutique hotel and textile centre located in the historic quarter of Kashan, in the province of Isfahan, the project entailed the restoration of a 19th century merchant home, typical of the historic residential buildings of the area which have for the most part fallen into complete disrepair. The initial purpose that informed the undertaking was threefold: the revival of historically significant hand-woven textile traditions of Kashan which were on the brink of extinction; the renovation, restoration and revitalisation of a historic house and its surrounding neighbourhood in order to draw attention to the vast treasury of this architectural heritage in danger; and raising awareness of the cultural, artistic and technological traditions embedded in the Islamic architectural traditions of this region.” Agha Khan Awards
House of Elephant
Shiraz, Iran
A Qājāri house
A beautiful 19th century house in the olden heart of Shiraz, Iran. At one time listed as the privately owned home of Esmail Abbaspour now renamed and registered on record as part of the National Heritage houses of shiraz. Beautifully restored in 2018 and its ornamental details conserved to welcome guests as a boutique hotel.
The rejection of Pahlavi
It is not surprising that hatred for the previous regime runs so deep in the current government even after 40 years. The sad part is that the Islamic Republic does not consider architectural sites built in the Pahlavi period as valuable and does nothing to preserve and conserve them or register as National Heritage sites to be protected from demolition.
Art, design and architecture contain much about our history, culture and social movements. This act of neglect is purely an act of erasure and a form of rewriting history.
Golestan Palace
Tehran, Iran
The palace of many coronations. Among kings crowned here are Ahmad Shah, Mozaffaruddin Shah, Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The early build of the palace dates to Shah Abbas of Safavid dynasty circa 1580. This palace underwent changes during the Zandieh period, but the most important period of the royal citadel can be attributed to Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar. Thus, during the Qajar period, it became the residence of Qajar kings. For this reason, the main architectural style of Golestan Palace is the Qajar style, combining the principles of modern, traditional Iranian and European architecture. The best example of Qajar yellow tiles is located in Golestan Palace.
The palace has the largest collection of photographs in the section known as the Album House. A reservoir of colour and black and white photographs of travels, ceremonies, wives, and the private lives of kings. The House Album is about 170 years old.
2018 - 2020
Gilda Jabbari Copyright © 2024