Historical building restoration not only preserves high-esteemed buildings for the future but also preserves a milestone in any country’s past as they are a visual representation of the country’s history, a shred of evidence of the architectural prowess of the ancestors. For this reason, preserving heritage buildings from demolition is important to the growth of the economy in the local area in the long term. Beginning of the last century, many institutes devoted a lot of effort, technology, and devised methods and materials to preserve these archaeological buildings because of the importance these buildings constitute and mean, not only to the local people of the country but to all of humanity.
IsMEO, in particular, is an Association that aims to conduct study, training, and research programmes related to the cultures and countries of Asia and Africa and their interactions with the Mediterranean basin. To achieve this, the IsMEO carried out a study and research programmes; that promote cultural and scientific collaboration initiatives with the exchange of information, experience, and knowledge between researchers and experts, with particular reference to the conservation and enhancement of the cultural and environmental heritage of these countries. In 1976, NOCHMI – National Organization for Conservation of Historical Monuments of Iran contracted with the IsMEO to restore a set of historical buildings representing one of the most prestigious moments in the Islamic urban design, architecture, construction, and decoration and listed on the UNESCO Tangible Cultural Heritage sites.
This book is a Technical Review edited by Aga Khan Award for Architecture1980, by commissioned independent reviewers who report to the Master Jury about a specific shortlisted project. The reviewers are architectural professionals specialized in various disciplines, including housing, urban planning, landscape design, and restoration. Their task is to examine, on-site, the shortlisted projects to verify the project data sought. This examination process is intensive and detailed, making the Aga Khan Award process unique.
These set of historical buildings, Ali Qapu, Chehel Sutun, and Hasht Behesht and their gardens are among the great Safavid monuments of Isfahan that were built in 17th-century in Isfahan’s main square, the Maydan-i Shah, known as Naqsh-i Jahan “Half the World” or “desten of the world”, and now called Maydan-i Imam. The Maydan Nansh-Jahan was part of an exceptionally large and ambitious urban programme developed at the time the Safavid ruler Abbs the Great (1586-1628) decided upon Isfahan as his capital city. The Maydan measured almost 500 m x 150 m, and it’s large. Its arcaded peripheral open space was designed to provide room for polo games, parades, ceremonies, etc. Its arcaded peripheral walls linked four major monuments: Mastid-i-Shah, Ali Oapu, Masjid Shalkh Lotfallah, and the Gateway to the Qatsariya bazaar.
According to this Technical Review, the restoration process was mostly completed in 1976- 1977, except the preservation of neighbouring areas was subsequently elaborated in 1969. The IsMEO documented the process through summarized sheets and photos reporting the conditions before and after restoration for all these three pavilions and their gardens. The restoration process includes construction, interior, and exterior decorations, mural paintings, and urbanism of the Maydan-i Shah square. Some of the documented points of the three pavilions are:
- The Ali Qapu Palace.
The Ali Qapu is the main entrance to the palace complex of the city, located on the west side of the square. The building itself is a monumental gatehouse, built in about five years in three phases. The architectural characteristic of Ali Qapu palace pronounced dissociation between form and structure, which according to the technical review, explains why the facades are not structurally expressive and why 38 pillars out of 84 on the upper level do not have vertical supports below. The restoration was made carefully in the upper walls and vaults of lacquered stucco and wood.
- The Chehel Sutun.
The Chehel Sutun “forty columns” pavilion had a garden of about seven hectares, including many water canals, basins, and pools. It was constructed in three phases and most probably under three different rulers. The conservation and repair work on the Chehel Sutun was in the structure restoration. However, the specialists made a great effort to repair the preserved ensemble of mural paintings that would appear to be unique in an existing historical Islamic building.
- Hasht Behesht.
The Hasht Behesht “eight paradises” was built during the reten of Sulayman (1667-1694) as a Summer residence for eight of his favourites. The building was surrounded by a garden with water canals and basins. According to the reviewers, Hasht Behesht’s architecture can’t be defined as less than a marvel of intelligence and sensitivity. Hasht Behesht restoration was structurally strengthened with concrete links and supports, and its ceilings and wall decorations were restored.
In conclusion, the restoration process of historical buildings implicates maintaining a building’s original character and structure, paying attention to historic building restoration codes and regulations, and ensuring materials and methods are true to the period; the IsMEO succeeded in achieving this with the restoration of the three pavilions and became a well-deserved for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1980. Of particular significance is the training of Iranian craftsmen and technicians and the setting up by NOCHMI of its workforce in specialist skills. A significant side achievement was that Farabi University in Isfahan established a department speciality in restoration; the National Organization for Conservation of Monuments is disseminating the working methods learned in Isfahan and Italy to other parts of the country.
References:
- Ali Qapu, Chehel Sutun, and Hasht Behesht by IsMEO – Istituto Italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente (1977). The Aga Khan Award for Architecture. (Last updated 2022) available at: https://ich.unesco.org/en/state/egypt-EG?info=elements-on-the-lists [Accessed 19.Aug.2022].
