Poster Competition

University of Sheffield, UK, 2023

Title: Modern Architectural Heritage of Iran: Approaches to Reinterpretation of Iranian Architectural Identity

This poster examines how Iranian architectural identity was reinterpreted during the emergence of modern architecture in Iran from 1920 to 1980. Influenced by Western Modern Movements, this period saw significant urban transformation and the construction of numerous modern-style buildings across the country. At the same time, it presented a key challenge: how to connect modern architectural development with Iran’s rich architectural traditions and cultural identity.

The poster highlights that architectural attention during this period was largely focused on major public and governmental buildings, while the broader impact of modernism on other building types received less consideration. Today, the effects of this imbalance are evident in many new cities and rural areas in Iran, where the loss of architectural identity has become a significant concern.

By examining Iran’s modern architectural heritage, the poster considers how architects and authorities sought to reinterpret Iranian identity through engagement with traditional and vernacular architecture. It asks to what extent, and in what ways, Iranian architectural identity was reimagined through this modern heritage. In doing so, the poster aims to contribute to current discussions on identity in architecture and to highlight lessons that may inform contemporary and future practice.