IRAN PAVILION EXPO 2015

TYPE: DESIGN COMPETITION FOR THE IRAN PAVILION AT MILAN EXPO 2015 – 1ST PRIZE
LOCATION: MILAN EXPO, ITALY
PROGRAM: 800 m² SELF-BUILT EXHIBITION SPACE
DESIGN: 2013
COMPLETED: -
PROJECT: NJP NAQSH, E, JAHAN-PARS + LAD (CONSULTANT/SITE ARCHITECT) + Nasrin Faghih (CONSULTANT)

In the summer of 2013, we were invited to participate with our Iranian partners NJP (Naqshe Jahan-e-Pars) in the Iran Pavilion at Expo 2015, and we won.

The idea of the project was for the building to act as a section of the Iranian terrain, metaphorically showing the operation of the “Qanat,” an ancient technology of underground water supply that has brought energy and life to human settlements throughout that territory of the country.

Regardless of this result, the Iranian government has not yet given us the opportunity to develop the project, and, instead, intends to commission the task directly to a professional outside of the competition participants.

This is a shame, because we believe that the winning project truly reflects the relationship between the theme of Expo 2015 and the Persian culture. In addition, the delays generated by this situation could seriously threaten the realization of the Iranian Pavilion, regardless of the chosen project.

Iran had begun the process of design for its pavilion in the best way possible; through the creation of a competition, providing better architecture than the direct assignment of the task. Unfortunately, the Iranian government has rejected the result of these good intentions; most likely bringing to fruition a pavilion that differs from the winning competition entry.

This news obviously comes as a great disappointment because for inscrutable reasons we have been denied the opportunity to develop an important project, both for ourselves and for Expo 2015.

This remains a happy memory, however, because of our Iranian partners. Not only have they been great to work with, but also they have demonstrated the validity of their approach to architecture, regardless of the guidelines and decisions of their government.