Khavaran Cultural Centre

Tehrān, Iran

The complex provides the inhabitants of an impoverished neighbourhood of Tehran with a variety of cultural facilities - theatre and cinema halls, library, educational classes, exhibition hall, sports centre, meeting spaces and marketplace. Its architecture draws inspiration from Iranian traditions based on pure forms and volumes, symmetry, water mixed with planted areas, and positive and negative spaces. Floors, ceilings, windows and doors are decorated with Iranian-Islamic motifs. The centre was designed and built in 18 months, mostly by young people, including a specialist engineering crew made up of former combatants in the Iran-Iraq war.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture