New Building of Islamic Consultative Assembly (Baharestan)

The new building of Iran’s Islamic Parliament in the Baharestan complex is located between the administrative building in the north and the commissions’ building in the south. The main concern in designing this building (which began in 1973–74, before the revolution) was to create a hall that could accommodate near 300 members of parliament, 800 spectators, and other additional spaces, as well as adopting a proper relation with the 40-meter-high administrative building, and the 14-meter-high, 150-meter-long commissions’ building. The design was also intended to preserve the impact of the commissions’ building main elevation. The hall’s width—the north-south distance between the two buildings—reaches up to 90 meters. The triangle shape was selected regarding its formal resistance, its allusion to the three powers of the government, and its geometrical expandability.

The administrative building is located at the triangle’s head, with the two wings opening towards the commissions’ building, which forms the base of the triangle. The pyramid built on this triangle rises up from the administrative building’s side until it reaches the height of 45 meters from ground level at the commissions’ building point. This difference of altitude allows both buildings at north and south to be seen. This project was set up in 1973–74, before the revolution, but was put into construction after the revolution, at the time of Hashemi Rafsanjani’s presidency. Before realization, many changes were made in the programming and executive aspects of the project, as well as its external elevation. The project was finally finished last year.

Interview with Engineer Abdolreza Dokani, Designer and Project Manager

Please provide some explanations about the project before we begin.

The idea of constructing a new building for the Islamic Consultative Assembly dates back to 1352–53 SH (1973–74). At that time, nearly simultaneously with the representatives (the then-National Assembly), the design was proposed with large and spacious halls. Engineer Seyyed Hossein Aftahi supervised the project, and the general concept design was his, although the detailed design was later revised. In 1355 SH (1976), the project file was referred to the office (Polmir's predecessor).

The original request was for the design to not obstruct the view of the commissions’ building and for it to be recessed. One solution was to go deep underground, which was not practical for other substantial projects, but for a parliament that needed to be a symbol of representation, it had to find an appropriate form. If the main hall was to be at ground level, the building would be taller than the commissions’ building at 11 stories and the administrative building to the south with 150 meters of frontage. The initial proposal was for a hall with 14-meter ceilings and a building height of 40 meters. The commissions’ building to the south had a height of 150 meters of frontage. The distance between the two was 90 meters. This new plan emerged from these constraints, taking the triangular form which could be extended in all directions — structurally sound, visually stable, and geometrically expandable in cross-section.

Design of Two Existing Buildings

What is the design concept?

The northern building and the commissions’ building were built beforehand, and in order to respect the new structure, both—especially the later—had to be greatly modified. The hall’s managing committee entrance is through the commissions’ building, and so is the ceremonial entrance from Baharestan, but the public entrance could be reached through the administrative building.

Completion and Renovation of the Administrative Building

What is the current status of renovation?

The renovation has been 85 percent completed. Since 1355 SH, the architectural shell has existed, and the remaining work involves interior finishing and installations. Instead of enlarging the building and reducing the number of representatives—which was a mathematical suggestion by the Speaker of Parliament to legislate that, for example, for every few tens or hundreds of thousands of people one representative is appointed—the current plan for up to 300 members is expandable, with the addition of one row of seats, which would make the front row slightly more compressed.

Changes After Engineer Akhoondi’s Decision

After Engineer Akhoondi decided to implement the original design, what fundamental changes were made in the structure, installations, and the exterior facade?

The concrete structure was not changed. With the new regulations, all calculations were verified. Iranian engineers were also made responsible for approving the structural calculations. However, the structural design responsibility still rests with the original consultants.

Structural Design

Who designed the structure?

Polmir’s office, with Mr. Gholtooghchian, due to the complex and unconventional nature of the design, had commissioned approximately ten percent from a senior engineering firm (Ove Arup). A group from the University of Tehran, Sharif University of Technology, and Amirkabir University reviewed the structural calculations, and after five to six months said the margins were acceptable.

The Facade

Tell us about the facade.

Initially, the plan was for the facade to be glass, which met with considerable objection, especially because such a pyramid had been built at the Louvre. It was said that such a pyramid resembled that one. However, firstly, our project is not a pyramid—it has a resemblance to a pyramid; and secondly, when this project was first designed, the Louvre glass pyramid had not yet been built. In any case, at that time many investigations were made for a proper choice of material, and hence stone was finally selected. A strip of light marks the intersection of the two wings of the roof, also acting as the structure’s expansion joint. This gap is covered with 3-to-12-meter-long glass panes, emitting a very delicate illumination into the hall.

The roofs are inspired by Persian architecture and are rendered in gypsum, carefully matched with hand-crafted and certain muqarnas patterns. They are designed in extendable patterns consisting of triangular forms—the project’s main geometry. The most skilled wood and stone craftsmen have participated in this project.

The Main Structure

What is the main structure made of?

The main structure is concrete with a metal roof. About fifty piles were driven to a depth of 20 to 25 meters, transferring all loads to a depth of 20 meters so that no damage would be done to adjacent buildings.

Interior Design

How was the interior design carried out?

The interior design is based on Iranian architectural ideas. The ceilings are hand-plastered gypsum work, with the same muqarnas patterns, but in a modern form and with the extension of the triangular motif that is the project’s main geometry. The interior design collaborator was Engineer Mottaghi. If not for the Ministry of Housing’s management approach, we would not have achieved such delicacy. The best wood and stone master craftsmen worked with us, and we had no problems with cost.

Acoustics and Building Systems

What are the notable features of the building’s systems?

The building features a smart building management system (BMS). For heating and cooling, a centralized system with a distance of 30 meters from the main building was designed to prevent vibration transfer. There are various types of systems for different purposes. The project also has a smart building management and intelligent air control system, which, however, had not been fully commissioned at the time of publication. Regarding acoustics, an English company named Sandy Brown was twice invited to Iran to investigate. They brought acoustic and electroacoustic measurement equipment and ultimately confirmed that the acoustics were correct but the electroacoustics had problems. Based on this assessment, a detailed report was given to the Ministry of Housing. The most modern electroacoustic equipment was purchased but had installation difficulties.

A Symbol of the Baharestan

Does this building have the potential to become a symbol?

This architecture is harmonious with its surroundings. The second image that comes to mind is not only of Egypt. It is an image in the mind of everyone. In terms of color, with the northern and southern buildings, it has a unified appearance—from Sepahsalar Mosque (Shahid Motahhari) to the old parliament building. In my opinion, in terms of three factors—volume, color, and material—this architecture is introspective and inward-looking. And I would add that its most important function is perhaps that it could become one of the most important landmarks of the country, being the most significant use in this complex.