On the Occasion of the Twentieth Year of Memar Publishing Institute Activities
A Series of Lectures and Discussions Titled The Thought of Building in Architecture
Average number of staff at Memar Publishing Institute: 10
Number of individuals who have collaborated with the magazine under titles such as Advisory Board, Advisory Board and Writers, etc.
Number of individuals who have written articles for Memar to date: 393
Number of individuals who have translated articles: 113
Twenty Years of Publishing Memar (Issue 110)
1380 (2001), First Edition: 155 entries, 5 categories, Residential and Public
1385 (2006), Sixth Edition: 72 entries, 6 categories, Single-Unit Residential and Apartments
1387 (2008), Eighth Edition: 96 entries, 6 categories, Residential and Public
1388 (2009), Ninth Edition: 92 entries, 6 categories, Residential and Public
1389 (2010), Tenth Edition: 142 entries, 6 categories, Residential and Public
1390 (2011), Eleventh Edition: 124 entries, 9 categories, Residential, Public, and Renovation
1391 (2012), Twelfth Edition: 160 entries, 9 categories, Residential, Public, and Renovation
1392 (2013), Thirteenth Edition: 215 entries, 11 categories, Residential, Public, and Renovation
1393 (2014), Fourteenth Edition: 241 entries, 13 categories, Apartment Residential, Residential
1394 (2015), Fifteenth Edition: 164 entries, 18 categories, Apartment Residential, Residential
1395 (2016), Sixteenth Edition: 300 entries, 12 categories, Apartment Residential, Residential
1396 (2017), Seventeenth Edition: 308 entries, 16 categories, Apartment Residential, Residential
Memar Publishing Institute began its activities with the publication of the first issue of Memar Magazine in 1377 (1998). Throughout all these years, this magazine has been the central pillar of the institute activities, and its other endeavors, including the organization of the Memar Award, the publication of 28 issues of Shahr (City) Magazine between 1378 and 1382 (1999-2003), book publishing, and the hosting of lectures and discussion sessions in the early years of the institute
operation, have all taken shape around it, and architects and architecture students rightly know and recognize these activities under the banner of Memar Magazine. In memory and in honor of Ms. Beski, the late director of Memar Publishing Institute and editor-in-chief of Memar Magazine, in the three years since she has not been among us, we have endeavored to resume some of the institute past activities.
*Shahr (City) Magazine, 28 issues (published between 1378-1379 / 1999-2000)
*Although sixteen years have passed since the publication of the last issue of Shahr Magazine, the content of its articles remains useful for those interested in urban issues. Given the limited number of print copies at the Memar office, the electronic version has been made available to interested readers through the Memar channel.
*Total number of jurors: 56 / Number of international jurors: 8
The One Hundred and Tenth Issue of Memar, Summer 1397 (2018)
The Thought of Building in Architecture -- this is the title we chose, inspired by the profoundly meaningful phrase of Norwegian architect Sverre Fehn, the thought of construction, for a series of activities whose culmination will be a lecture by one of the world prominent architectural thinkers. Of course, colleagues familiar with the current state of architectural thought in Iran know well that organizing such lectures without preparatory and follow-up measures yields little result. Therefore, we shall endeavor, before the lecture, to publish materials in Memar Magazine -- and if necessary in book form -- related to the lecture subject and the speaker views, and after the lecture, to sustain the discussion in various ways.
The criteria for selecting the speaker, as with all other decisions and selections at Memar Magazine, the Memar Award, and so forth, are not influenced by ideological considerations. What matters is the originality and depth of thought, the volume and quality of published works. Another criterion equally important to us is the speaker non-affiliation with the interests of large or small international corporations. This is of great importance to us in a world where governmental and commercial interests increasingly cast their shadow over the realm of thought.
First selection: Professor Alberto Perez-Gomez. Professor Gomez was our guest for ten days from mid-Ordibehesht (early May). His lecture, titled Attunement: Architectural Meaning as Atmosphere, was held on the 19th of Ordibehesht 1397 (May 9, 2018) at the Kooh-Bar House of Mehdi Alizadeh (its poster was published on the Memar channel). The planning for this lecture took place a year prior. In the intervening year, we published materials to help familiarize readers with his views, including the book Mind in Architecture: Neuroscience, Embodiment, and the Future of Design, which introduces the reader to the latest findings of advanced neuroscience and their implications for architecture. The final chapter of this book, Mood and Meaning in Architecture, is also written by Professor Gomez. In issue 103 of Memar, we published his highly important article Poetic Language and Architectural Meaning. Additionally, a collection of seven articles by him titled Timely Reflections was translated into Persian and made available to participants before the lecture in PDF format. Issue 108 of Memar was essentially devoted to the subject of atmosphere in architecture, which is closely related to his lecture. Concurrent with the publication of this issue of the magazine, a selection of Professor Gomez articles has been prepared in print. In this same issue, the translation of the lecture text and the slides presented are at the disposal of you, our dear readers. A film has also been produced of his lecture, the interior of the Kooh-Bar House, and its disastrous surroundings. To obtain these two books and the DVD of this film, you may contact the Memar Magazine office. After leaving Tehran, Professor Gomez sent an email to the Memar Magazine office, and the translation of his short but eloquent and affectionate text appears below. Director of Memar Publishing Institute
Colleagues of Memar Magazine, Dear Reza -- A brief visit to Tehran, Kashan, Isfahan, and Shiraz revealed to me the fervor and depth of the poetic spirit of Iranian culture. The poetic sensibility inherent in the fragrant and enticing food, in the metaphors of the great masters, and in the wisdom of the skilled artisans, is present in its ancient and modern architecture alike. All of this reminded me of a fundamental relationship with water, fire, sky, and earth, which always keep the tree of life alive. Iran cultural heritage is exceptional, having always challenged and transcended ideological divisions. Last but not least, I thank the warmth and hospitality of the people of Iran, especially the colleagues: a memory, like an ephemeral flower, that I shall cherish forever. Alberto Perez-Gomez