In the interval between the publication of the previous issue and the current one, we thought it would be a good idea to take the opportunity in this editorial to consult with friends and associates of Memar Magazine in several sessions and share opinions. We continue to seek improvement and to advance. The growing trend, though slow, is pleasing. Fortunately there are still those who respect the dignity of architecture. However, if the institutions that share this aspiration do not become closer to their audiences and supporters in the near term, they will not have achieved anything.
In the first session, a group of our friends were gathered, whose agenda with the best of intentions was for the benefit of the magazine, and the result of this session showed that most were ready to contribute. It coincided with the period of Memar Magazine’s 80th issue, which also indicated that the magazine had endured. A magazine that had begun from the architectural concerns of its time and had naturally encompassed the needs and values of a new generation of architects and urban planners. In the second session, we gathered with more architects and editors and compiled the most concise summary of views and suggestions of these two sessions. The purpose was solely to present the diverse, sometimes agreeable and sometimes disagreeable, viewpoints and recommendations of these two sessions in the following summary.
Summary of Session Discussions
Session One
A — General Points
1 — The magazine’s circulation for a single print run is high. Can the magazine be distributed to a smaller audience? Should it be published every one or two months, or once every six months? 2 — Architectural magazines worldwide are thematic. Why is Memar not thematic? It can be said that every city is a theme. Why not combine Shahr (City) magazine and Memar and bring them together? 3 — Being thematic in the present circumstances benefits the magazine, since it has diversity. It should enhance its foundation, move away from superficiality, deal with realities, and introduce and advance a line or current of evolution with good taste. 4 — The magazine should have a direction or path to introduce and advance. It is naturally the case that, given all these reasons, due to the diversity of the architectural field in the current era, including everything under one heading is difficult. But it should be maintained that the magazine introduces a general direction that is constructive and forward-looking.
B — Current Critique
1 — Presenting a well-known name and figure has a greater effect on the production of a single project than naming individuals; yet generally in the collective production of architecture, attention should be paid to groups. 2 — Critique in the magazine is appropriate, and if a critique is published, it generally should not take a one-sided direction. And in any case: 3 — Only good projects should be published, projects that deserve consideration and discussion. 4 — There are important reasons why projects are not debated in public. 5 — There are many offices and architectural firms in Iran, and the existence of so many offices has not yet led the profession to its proper path and direction of appreciation. 6 — One should introduce oneself with one’s own work and present it, and we should appreciate this. 7 — In addition to project analysis, the conditions, circumstances, and limitations of the work should also be discussed, especially the difficult conditions under which architects work, which sometimes push them into helplessness.
8 — In the current world, most translations of foreign magazine articles are available. Can they not be prepared in a more direct and independent manner? 9 — In the area of the magazine’s style, regarding translated articles on important subjects, we face executive challenges, varying approaches, and the needs of young architects.
C — Suggestions
1 — Among the serious needs of the architectural community is a critical review and transformation of architectural education. Memar Magazine is not devoid of this concern. In a situation where architectural education reform can be the best way to educate young architects who need to become fully acquainted with the work of the profession and its complete process — why does the magazine not dedicate itself to this subject? Especially when recent significant changes deserve study. 2 — The magazine should address challenges and explore new frontiers of architectural learning, especially when significant developments occur, such as new cities or districts, which should be subject to serious critique. 3 — The editorial, while focusing on important and fundamental issues, should be written in very simple language. 4 — Projects should not be published without critique. Especially new approaches should be debated and analyzed. Design competitions should also be discussed and critiqued.
5 — Some projects introduced in the magazine meet established standards of quality. Since the magazine has gained the trust of the architectural community, it serves an educational purpose. 6 — The magazine (in English), beyond Farsi, should be distributed more widely. For example, the magazine should be distributed to architectural centers of European, African, and even Asian and Latin American countries, to establish connections with the global architectural community. 7 — The volume of advertising in the magazine is not at a desirable level. 8 — In the current world, most translations of foreign magazine content are accessible. Can they not be prepared in a more direct and independent way?
9 — In matters of style, when dealing with articles on important subjects, we face executive challenges, diverse approaches, and the needs of young architects. 10 — The content of magazine projects and articles should uphold a certain level of architectural quality. In cases where some advertisements violate this commitment, it promotes commercialism. 11 — Placing the magazine name at a desirable level remains a challenge.
Session Two
A — General Points
1 — If possible, the magazine should be published at shorter intervals.
B — Current Critique
1 — The language of articles should not be difficult. Efforts should be made to write in simple and accessible language. Some recent translations have also not been successful. Sometimes understanding theoretical discussions can be facilitated by adding images. 2 — Very long articles are not suitable for this kind of magazine, and reading them is tiresome.
C — Suggestions
1 — The Memar Publications Institute intends to increase its output. The magazine should be used as a tool to organize entry into the publishing profession. 2 — Among the simpler tasks of the magazine is addressing theoretical issues for young people. 3 — The magazine should pay more attention to scientific, technical, and especially innovative new technologies in this area.
4 — The construction and manufacturing industries, which serve as tools for improving architectural quality, should receive more attention in the magazine. 5 — The Memar Publications Institute, alongside the magazine, should create a proper and healthy presence in architectural society, such as organizing supplementary, academic, and elementary educational courses. The magazine should recognize that alongside obstacles to professional progress, a financial barrier exists. A government that has entered the consulting business offers the lowest level of architectural compensation, with unfortunate consequences for the profession.
6 — The issue of compensating prominent architects who forego the annual general call of the profession is an important concern that should not be neglected. 7 — Memar can publish its important five-year content in the form of a book, and it could also serve alongside four quarterly publications as an annual yearbook. 8 — With an increase in advertising, Memar will not be heavily dependent on receiving subsidies. But the distinctive content in a product named Memar should be clearly presented, and the magazine should cover only architecture.
9 — News of international competitions and congresses, as well as information on organizing international exhibitions and final-year architecture thesis presentations, should be included in the magazine. 10 — Iranian architects who work well abroad should be introduced within the country. Memar Magazine should introduce them and their works. 11 — The magazine should, in proportion to increasing possibilities, prepare its content through group research, and then provide these materials for the author to organize.