Soltan Qabous

Persian Gulf University – Faculty of Art & Architecture

Project Description:

Name of the Project: Persian Gulf University – Faculty of Art & Architecture
Location: Kouti Community Center, Historical texture, Bushehr, Bushehr Province, Iran
Appointment: December 2007
Completion: December 2016
Client: Bushehr Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts & Tourism Organization
Consulting Designers & Engineers: Bamcitadel of Kerman Consulting Engineers
Supervision: Bamcitadel of Kerman Consulting Engineers
General Contractor: Mr. Saadatmand – Arkan Beton Co
Total Area: 9600 sqm

Persian Gulf University – Faculty of Art & Architecture

Persian Gulf University, a newly restored & renovated university designed by Bamcitadel of Kerman Consulting Engineers has added a new character to the previous historical structure and attempted to preserve the identity of the region’s vernacular architecture, in phase 1 of its construction. The project has received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, in New Design in Heritage Contexts field, in 2017. The 9600 square-meter educational building, is designed in two stories above ground level and consists of architecture studios, office area, computer labs, amphitheater, galleries & dining area.

Initial studies represented that a great part of the urban texture in the so-called location, had valuable and usable buildings, appropriate for university activities, which could operate through applying changes and updating detailed forms, in order to be compatible with the needs of the faculty. The proposed scheme relates to its neighborhood and addressees the integration of additional elements, adding to the historical “Nozari House”. The existence of the registered valuable unit (Nozari House) had a great value in terms of interaction and integration of built structures. (The Nozari House has been specifically restored by the state’s cultural heritage organization).

The design meets the client’s needs & aimed for:
– Revitalization of valuable architectural textures of the historical city of Bushehr
– Distribution of values & local identities & applying them in architecture, both in the region & the design.
– Introduction of environmental values & local identities to architects & residents
– Presentation of architectural & urban design examples, which are compatible with environment, climate & cultural characteristics of people.
In response to the climatical conditions, the building is compatible with the climatic state of the region & meets these mentioned goals:

1-Environmental Goals
– Eco Design
– Maximum usage of natural potentials
– Minimum usage of fossil fuels & environmental pollutions
– Adjustment of spaces, control light & usage of solar energy

2-Social & Cultural Goals
– Create vitality among residents, increase social mobility of residents in the old urban texture
– Incorporation of social structure & population diversity
– Public participation of residents
– Encourage public organizations to invest in restoration works
– Preserve the cultural identity of the old city
– Recreate social behaviors in the future life of the city
– Increase & protect social spirits among residents

3-Architectural & Environmental Goals
– Preserve the identity & historical architecture of the city
– Maintain & restore valuable buildings and textures|
– Improve living standards in historic textures
– Preserve urban views
– Restore historical buildings, through creating new functions in old structures, destruction of worthless buildings and renovation of new ones
– Use modern technologies in new constructions

Project Site Specifications
The project site was created with the aggregation of multiple lands and is located in the intersection of historic context of Bushehr with the urban renewal area, affected by different architectural typologies. Greeneries had great importance in this project and the presence of one of the oldest trees in the region has been of the initial concepts for the project.
The streets’ pattern and the network around, has resulted in the covering of some part of the streets with the historic pattern of the region (the shelter) which is a reminder of its historic background.
This consultant has received no fee for the architectural & mechanical design of this project, due to the cultural nature of the it as well as its function as a public University.