Amir Abbas Aboutalebi Villa 16 Speech

Thank you so much maybe start the Persian then switch back to English. Unfortunately, as Mrs. Spanlang mentioned Dr. Negr Hakim the guest editor of this issue who came to Iran from Austria could not be with us today due to a council flight ticket from we miss her persons very much now.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Austrian Cultural Forum in Tehran for their support of this non-profit, non-advertising project. A special thanks also goes to the Austrian Embassy and Ambassador Mr. Wolf Dietrich Heim, as well as Dr. Michaela Pacher, the director of the Austrian Cultural Forum, for hosting this event.

Unfortunately, Dr. Negar Hakim, the guest editor of this issue, who came to Iran from Austria, could not be with us today due to a canceled flight from Isfahan to Tehran. We miss her presence here.

The architectural and cultural exchanges between Iran and Austria have a rich history dating back to the Safavid period. Key milestones include:

In 1851, during the Qajar era, Austrian teachers and masters were invited to teach at the Dar-Al_Fonun school initiated by Amir-Kabir.

In 1902, Antuan Fisher contributed to the cultural and architectural development of the Nostalgia district in central Tehran.

During the Pahlavi era, the Viennese modernist architect Gabriel Guevrekian was appointed as the chief architect of Tehran, designing several iconic villas in the city.

In 1965, the Austrian city planner Victor Gruen, along with Iranian partner Azizi Farmanfarmaian, presented the first comprehensive master plan for Tehran.

As Dr. Michaela Pacher mentioned in the foreword of this issue, other prominent Austrian architects such as Otto Wagner and Hans Hollein have also left an incredible mark on Iran's architectural landscape.

Looking to the future, we have open discussions with Austrian professors, writers, and architects like Professor Klaus Loenheart and architect Wolf Prix planned for upcoming years on the Villa Magazine platform.

I am honored to be speaking among this distinguished group of Iranian architects, artists, scholars, and ambassadors in this beautiful Villa_Bagh. I intentionally use the term "Bagh" instead of "Garden" or "Persian Garden," and "Villa" instead of "House," as these terms carry important cultural and ideological significance.

Following this event, I invite you all to join me for a free-form discussion table to further explore the concept of the villa as an artistic phenomenon and an ideological paradigm that can form another forum in contemporary architecture, blending Western knowledge and Eastern wisdom.

 Villa's purpose has always been linked to human health and joy. I hope you enjoy your time.

Thank you.

 

Issue No.16, Monograph Edition,
Austrian Villas Special Issue

CONTEMPORARY VILLAS IN AUSTRIA

A Catalyst for Change

ISSN: 2981-197X (EN)
ISSN: 2981-1961 (FA)
Registration No. 74246

@ All materials in the special issue No.16 – The Austrian Villas Issue – are supported by the Austrian Cultural From Tehran (ÖKFT)