Political and Social Influences on Architecture during the First Pahlavi Era: A Case Study of Governmental and Residential Architecture

Abstract

Among the various periods in the history of Iranian architecture, the era corresponding to the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi (1925–1941) is significant in several respects. Following the transformations that began in architectural art during the late Qajar period, the First Pahlavi era may be regarded as a period of confusion and disorientation in architectural production. The simultaneous construction of diverse buildings, each representing a particular architectural school or style, supports this interpretation. Although efforts were made to establish connections among different architectural tendencies and, in some cases, to combine tradition with modernism, the prevalence of diverse political and cultural orientations, the prescriptive system of building design, the adoption of various modernist styles, and the commissioned and hurried nature of construction ultimately resulted in eclecticism and deviation within Iranian architecture. Employing a case-study approach and an exploratory research design, this study is based on grounded theory methodology and, in terms of its objective, constitutes developmental research. The research hypothesis proposes that theoretical trends in contemporary architecture can be explained within four specific categories: structuring ideas, stylistic references, form selection, and material choice. The findings indicate that the transformation of urban symbols during the First Pahlavi era—from cultural and religious buildings to large-scale governmental structures—developed through three principal architectural approaches: traditional, ancient-revivalist, and modern, each comprising two distinct tendencies. Ultimately, these developments contributed to the widespread adoption of modern architecture in Iran throughout the remainder of the twentieth century.