LEON KRIER & JAMSHID SEPEHRI
2021
The Iranian Government has announced the development of its uninhabited Persian Gulf islands in order to secure their historic grounds against undue claims by the neighbouring Gulf States.
We observe with alarm that since WWII Iran too has along with most countries around the world, suffered a profound change in the appearance and organisation of its cities and architecture. The loss of human scale, character and beauty, the shocking contrast with the country’s precious traditional cities and landscapes are explained as an inevitable fate. Yet to the majority of people the term “modern” remains synonymous with awkward, discordant, confirming that “an unspoilt landscape is not a landscape without buildings but merely a landscape without modern buildings”(Quinlan Terry)
The regular threats pronounced by western powers against Iran and lately even against its unique built heritage alarm us extremely. As architects, we have had a lifelong fascination with classical Persian art, architecture, cities and gardens. We believe that architecture and stylistic trends are not a matter of blind fate but that choices exist as is being proven by many New Traditional Architecture and Urbanism projects. We are part of a worldwide movement practising, teaching and propagating new traditional building crafts, architecture and urbanism.
When hearing of Teheran’s decision to develop its Persian Gulf Islands we decided to elaborate and donate a pilot project, demonstrating what a new traditional Iranian city of the future may look like for Tonb-e-Kuchak, the smallest of the Persian Gulf islands. The “gift” is sponsored by us alone without outside help, a modest symbolic gesture hopefully aiding to temper the reigning climate of aggression against Iran and to stimulate discussions within its authorities, professions and citizens as to what the country’s future architecture and urbanism are to be. This important national effort could be the occasion for Iran to become a world-leader in new traditional development policies based on the country’s stellar technical and artistic heritage, its millenary traditional land-crafts and resources-stewardship. Persia was for centuries a standard-bearer in architectural refinement, influencing countries as far as India and Spain. Iran may on this tiny island realize an inspiring pilot project, a much-needed counter-model to the garish developments of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and particularly of Saudi Arabia’s futureless Neom vision or Egypt’s New Capital City.
Sehpolis, is divided into three Mahales (urban quarters)
Each housing approx. 1400 to 1600 residents in 3-4 storey buildings. The typical residential buildings hold up to 12 apartments, duplexes and penthouses. Their ground floors and mezzanines are reserved for work and retail premises.
Public buildings, (Museum, Thermes, Schools, College for 38 building Crafts, College for Marine Architecture, Astronomical and Oceanographic Research stations, Local Government and Administration, Hotels, Hospital, Zurkhaneh, Memorials, Water-towers, Fountains) are designed as Landmark Buildings, adorning prominent locations, vistas, squares, gardens promontories.
The walled horticultural and agricultural farms deliver local markets with fresh produce.
The vast vaulted 1000 X 80m undercroft of the airport runway is divided into three compartments. The largest serves as a water cistern modelled on the monumental Kish or Constantinople cisterns. The smaller sections serve as dry storage and vehicle park and repair and bomb shelter.
The Observatory mound holds meteorological and astronomical observation stations, seminar rooms, scientist residences
Hotels are located along the ocean promenades and parkways.
Park-promenades and small white beaches encircle the island on all sides.