Local and Vernacular Architecture

Faculty of Art and Architecture, Bushehr

The Editor·Photos: Hamid Akbari·Bushehr Special Issue
Faculty of Art and Architecture, Bushehr

This faculty, which is part of the Persian Gulf University, began its work in 2005. It is located in the old fabric of Bushehr, in the Kuti neighborhood. The faculty was built on a 2,950-square-meter site acquired by taking over a number of dilapidated buildings. The beautiful and historic Nouzari Edifice has been preserved, and in place of the deteriorated fabric, a modern building has been constructed that is harmonious with the architecture of old Bushehr edifices.

The placement of the faculty building within the old Bushehr fabric can serve as an inspiration for professors and students of art and architecture, and as a factor in drawing greater attention to the preservation of Bushehr's valuable old fabric. The appropriate site selection and fitting architecture of the Faculty of Art and Architecture of Bushehr promises that, with proper management, it can play the same role in the renaissance of art and architecture in Bushehr that the Saadat School once fulfilled.

The Nouzari Edifice
Inner courtyard of the Nouzari Edifice with two-story wooden balconies and diamond-shaped cutouts
The Nouzari Edifice courtyard — two stories of wooden balconies and traditional Bushehr detailing
Upper gallery of the Nouzari Edifice with colorful stained glass fan lunettes and balustrades
Stained glass fan lunettes and balustrade on the upper gallery
Gallery corridor with a stained glass lattice screen and wooden railings
Gallery with stained glass lattice screen and wooden railings
Upper floor gallery corridor of the Nouzari Edifice with arched doors, diamond cutouts, and timber ceiling
The upper gallery — arched doors, diamond cutouts, and a timber ceiling
The New Building
Multi-level courtyard of the new faculty building with modern railings and cable elements
The new building's courtyard — multiple levels harmonizing with traditional Bushehr architecture
View across the courtyard showing arched doors, fan lunettes, and bougainvillea
Bougainvillea and arched doors — old meets new
Facade of the preserved Nouzari Edifice as seen from the new courtyard with stairs
The preserved Nouzari facade seen from the new courtyard
Upper terrace with timber beam canopy, columns with diamond cutouts, and open views
Upper terrace — timber canopy and diamond cutouts
Open terrace framing a view of the Bushehr city skyline with timber pergola and arches
The rooftop terrace framing a view of the city
Gallery corridor of the new building with arched doors, timber pergola, and strong shadow patterns
Gallery corridor — arched doors and shadow play
Rooftop level with columns, diamond cutouts, and timber canopy
Rooftop columns and timber canopy