Tehran Seminar to Explore Brickwork History

The Iranian Academy of Arts will host a national seminar on ‘Brick and Brickwork in Iranian Art and Architecture’ in Tehran in February.

The topics will include history of brick, brickwork methods, brick inscription and production techniques in past and present, varieties and application in Iranian architecture, masters in masonry and brickwork in contemporary Iranian architecture as well as the new trends, among others.

“Iran’s climate is compatible with brick buildings that have existed for 7,000 years. But only sporadic studies have been made in the field which deserves more research. This was why I proposed the seminar at the academy’s research department,” said Mehdi Makinejad, scientific secretary of the seminar and a researcher in ancient Iranian architecture with expertise in the areas of inscriptions, tiles and motifs.

The deadline for submission of abstracts is November 22, and the articles should be submitted to the secretariat by December 22.

The meeting will also examine fresh ways of looking at brick and brickwork. Technical and engineering concepts will also be discussed.

Programs have been planned on the sidelines, including two pre-seminar meetings in Dezful, Khuzestan Province and Kerman, capital of Kerman Province where the focus will be on city climate.  Prominent architects and masons in Dezful and Kerman will be appreciated and their works praised.

Makinejad, who has authored ‘History of Iranian Art in Islamic Era: Architectural Ornaments,’ said depending on the cooperation and funding by the relevant organizations, “the seminar can be upgraded to an international event.”

The sources and articles submitted to the secretariat will be published after the event.

The seminar will be held on February 13 at the venue of the academy located near the intersection of Valiasr and Taleqani streets, the Tandis visual art magazine (tandismag.com) reported.

  Popular in Architecture

Brick has always been popular in Iranian architecture for its flexibility and easy availability. Its main ingredient is clay-bearing soil, a material found in most regions of the country. Apart from size and dimension, what makes bricks distinct from one another, is mainly the firing methods and techniques, Makinejad noted.

In Iran, brick is not limited to structural applications. Iranians use it as material for art too and create aesthetic pieces with the medium. They have worked with thousands of brick varieties in architecture and landscape, he said, and referred to the unique innovations made in numerous brick inscriptions at Chogha Zanbil ziggurat near the city of Shush, Khuzestan Province.

Brick also has a significant role in thermal management. Due to this value, it is still among the main options for building facades in Iran. Sustainability and safety are other factors that make brick preferable. It is also a good choice for street furniture such as benches as it easily conforms to various climates.