A Quiet Revolution — Or Why Iran’s Architecture Is More Impressive Than You Think

On Thursday evening, we invite you to a lecture offering an unexpected perspective on life in Iran through the lens of architecture.

We are used to seeing this country through headlines: sanctions, politics, echoes of war, and harsh urban landscapes.

But what lies behind that façade?

The last 40 years have been a period of intense exploration for Iranian architects:

How do you solve a housing crisis without losing cultural identity?

How do you build for the future while preserving traditional aesthetics and technologies?

During this session, we will explore how the idea of an “Islamic utopia” was shaped, why a conservative political system began speaking the language of progressive design, and what emerged from the paradoxical partnership between architects and imams.

We will also discuss:

• How Iranian architecture evolved throughout the 20th century
• How Islamic ideology influenced the appearance of modern buildings
• Which urban planning challenges the country had to solve first
• Why Iranian architectural projects often appear more avant-garde than their Western counterparts
• Some of the most remarkable contemporary buildings that have received international recognition

Join us for a fascinating conversation about how politics, religion, and art can unexpectedly come together in urban space.

The lecture will be led by Andrey Amirov (@amirovandrey), lecturer in the history and theory of contemporary art and architecture.

🗓 May 14, 7:00 PM
📍 Betlemi 23, Tbilisi

Entry — donation-based

Registration via the link in our profile.