Japanese Cultural Week at Niavaran — The Niavaran Cultural Center held an exhibition from the 25th of Mehr to the 1st of Aban (October 1998) on the occasion of Japanese Cultural Week, in which contemporary Japanese architecture was also introduced.
Volume in Traditional Tiles — The Negarkhane Tehran (Tehran Art Gallery), affiliated with the Faculty of Fine Arts, held an exhibition from the 2nd to the 13th of Aban titled "Volume in Traditional Tiles" -- a combination of decorative elements from new and old architecture by artist Mehdi Shekari. A lithography exhibition by Dini Yosef, an Austrian artist, was also held from the 17th to the 25th of Azar.
The art group Kargah-e Chahar (Workshop Four) held its first architectural sketch session on the 8th of Ordibehesht under the title "Impressions," sketching the projects of Qazvin -- including the Grand Jame Mosque -- with the participation of architecture students from International Imam University, Azad University Qazvin branch, the University of Science and Technology, and Shahid Beheshti University. "Impressions One" was the workshop's first experience in the field of architectural competitions.
The workshop members visited the Alamut fortress on the 20th of Shahrivar and also traveled to Zanjan to visit the Soltaniyeh Dome and the traditional rakhtshuykhaneh (laundry house). In the second session, a sketching competition was held at Azad University's Qazvin branch. Participants sketched the area around the Kolah Farangi pavilion, the cultural spaces of the municipality (Chehel Sotun) in Qazvin, and sections of Sabzeh Meydan square.
On the 2nd of Azar, a debate was held between Dr. Pakzad, Dr. Ahmadi, and Dr. Fariborz Rais Dana on the relationship between form and function at the Faculty of Architecture. With the active participation of students, the panelists also responded to questions from the audience.
The Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at Shahid Beheshti University, in collaboration with a number of students, is preparing an exquisite 20-volume collection documenting traditional and notable buildings of Iranian architecture. The budget for this project is provided by the university and the Construction Jihad organization.
A group of students in Gilan Province has launched a research initiative studying regional architecture and vernacular building traditions. The group's name is derived from a local Gilaki word meaning "rolling" or "creating movement" -- reflecting their dynamic approach to architectural research.
The International Concrete Institute (ICI), headquartered in the United States, is a scientific association dedicated to research, development of technical education, and the formulation of standards. The 19th competition and conference in 1998 was held for the first time as an international event, expanding beyond the American continent.
With the efforts of a number of students and financial assistance from Vandshimi Company, Shahed Shimi, Bozorgmehr, and Ferroalloy -- companies with notable activity in strengthening the relationship between industry and university -- as well as the cooperation of the Construction Jihad of Tehran Province, conditions were created for Iranian students to participate internationally for the first time.
Three groups from Iran entered the competition: from Azad Islamic University (Tehran branch), the University of Science and Technology, and the Polytechnic Faculty. Some difficulties arose at American customs, which refused entry of the competition samples due to trade restrictions, preventing the Iranian students from competing on-site. However, through persistent follow-up, an agreement was reached to test the samples in Iran and send the results to the judges.
Students from four countries -- the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Iran -- participated. Before the results were announced, the Mexican team held the highest concrete strength at 914 kilograms per square centimeter. After the Iranian students' samples were tested in the laboratory, the results showed performance roughly double that of other participating groups. Azad Islamic University, with concrete strength of 850 kilograms per square centimeter, ultimately claimed first place in the international competition.
The next round of the competition was scheduled for October of the following year in the United States.
Reporters: Mana Khajeh Nouri, Maryam Azizi, Sarvar Khosravi Azad, Shahcheraghi, Reza Jafarnejad