History of the Group’s Establishment
The idea of the Architecture of Evolution Group first emerged in 1983 (1362 SH), at a time when the need to understand contemporary Iranian architecture became a shared concern among a number of architecture students at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran.
The first official meeting of the group was held on a Tuesday in May 1984 (1363 SH), attended by five students of the 1978 (1357 SH) intake. During this meeting, the group’s initial objectives, fundamental questions, and division of responsibilities were defined, and Tuesdays were established as the fixed time for the weekly sessions.
The group’s primary aim was to study and understand contemporary Iranian architecture and to address fundamental questions regarding its evolution—questions for which, at the time, there were no reliable or systematically documented sources.
Accordingly, the study group adopted the analysis of Iranian architecture in both the pre-Islamic and post-Islamic periods as a framework for interpreting contemporary architectural developments, focusing on historical documents, stylistic analysis, periodization, and the classification of architectural works.
Gradually, the scope of activities expanded beyond theoretical study. The group began collecting documents, records, drawings, photographs, and the professional histories of architects influential in contemporary Iranian architecture. This initiative formed the initial core of an archive that later became one of the group’s most significant achievements.
The compilation of a list of influential architects and the documentation of their works also began during those early years and has continued to the present day.
- Raising public awareness of the importance of the Architecture of Evolution
- Establishing an archive of 20th-century documents
- Continuing the identification and documentation of valuable architectural works
- Collecting and classifying archival documents for use by researchers
- Supporting architectural research
- Developing an encyclopedia of contemporary architecture
History of the Group’s Establishment
The idea of the Architecture of Evolution Group first emerged in 1983 (1362 SH), at a time when the need to understand contemporary Iranian architecture became a shared concern among a number of architecture students at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran.
The first official meeting of the group was held on a Tuesday in May 1984 (1363 SH), attended by five students of the 1978 (1357 SH) intake. During this meeting, the group’s initial objectives, fundamental questions, and division of responsibilities were defined, and Tuesdays were established as the fixed time for the weekly sessions.
The group’s primary aim was to study and understand contemporary Iranian architecture and to address fundamental questions regarding its evolution for which, at the time, there were no reliable or systematically documented sources.
Accordingly, the study group adopted the analysis of Iranian architecture in both the pre-Islamic and post-Islamic periods as a framework for interpreting contemporary architectural developments, focusing on historical documents, stylistic analysis, periodization, and the classification of architectural works.
Gradually, the scope of activities expanded beyond theoretical study. The group began collecting documents, records, drawings, photographs, and the professional histories of architects influential in contemporary Iranian architecture. This initiative formed the initial core of an archive that later became one of the group’s most significant achievements.
The compilation of a list of influential architects and the documentation of their works also began during those early years and has continued to the present day.
- Raising public awareness of the importance of the Architecture of Evolution
- Establishing an archive of 20th-century documents
- Continuing the identification and documentation of valuable architectural works
- Collecting and classifying archival documents for use by researchers
- Supporting architectural research
- Developing an encyclopedia of contemporary architecture
Over four decades, the Architecture of Evolution Group has collected and systematically organized an extensive archive of documents, drawings, photographs, slides, audio recordings, and films.
These materials have not been sourced solely from official archives; rather, they are the result of field research, interviews with historical photographers, and extensive travels to various cities and even different countries in order to access primary sources.
Examples of these efforts include:
- Purchasing photographs of demolished buildings from veteran photographers in Tehran and other cities
- Spending hours conducting research in newspapers, as well as national and local libraries
- Traveling to Germany, France, and Belgium to collect archival materials related to architects such as Taherzadeh Behzad, Godard, Dubrulle, Apcar, and Siroux
- Establishing a technical unit for reproduction and copying of archival materials
- Redrawing architectural plans and producing new photographic and film documentation of buildings
Over four decades, the Architecture of Evolution Group has collected and systematically organized an extensive archive of documents, drawings, photographs, slides, audio recordings, and films.
These materials have not been sourced solely from official archives; rather, they are the result of field research, interviews with historical photographers, and extensive travels to various cities and even different countries in order to access primary sources.
Examples of these efforts include:
- Purchasing photographs of demolished buildings from veteran photographers in Tehran and other cities
- Spending hours conducting research in newspapers, as well as national and local libraries
- Traveling to Germany, France, and Belgium to collect archival materials related to architects such as Taherzadeh Behzad, Godard, Dubrulle, Apcar, and Siroux
- Establishing a technical unit for reproduction and copying of archival materials
- Redrawing architectural plans and producing new photographic and film documentation of buildings
After four decades of continuous activity, the Architecture of Evolution Group remains committed to its founding path—a path rooted in the study, analysis, and documentation of contemporary Iranian architecture. Today, with accumulated experience and a unique archive, its scope has expanded significantly.
The group’s activities continue in line with the objectives previously outlined—from expanding its archival collection and identifying valuable architectural works to supporting specialized research and engaging with academic and international institutions. These activities are carried out in a structured manner and are continuously enriched each year with new layers of documents, analyses, and research findings.
The group believes that a comprehensive understanding of the Architecture of Evolution Era can only be achieved through the collective participation of researchers, architects, students, and individuals interested in the field. Accordingly, it welcomes collaboration and engagement across all related areas—from research and documentation to analysis, archiving, specialized workshops, and international cooperation.