Value Engineering & Post-Completion Support
The Argo Contemporary Art Museum & Cultural Center is an innovative project located at Ferdosi Square on Koshk Street, Tehran. This remarkable transformation of a former 1920’s beer factory into a contemporary arts hub was achieved over a 12-month renovation period with a budget of $500,000. The design was spearheaded by ASA North, an international architecture firm founded by Ahmadreza Schricker. However, the magic came to life through the diligent efforts and collaboration of Vandad Development, the general contractor, who collaborated closely with the design team and the client, the Pejman Foundation, to create this monument within the city.
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The Argo Contemporary Art Museum & Cultural Center is a testament to the enduring power of art and architecture. This project symbolizes resilience and artistic vision, reaffirming the significance of cultural heritage within urban spaces. By transforming the Argo factory into a dynamic cultural venue, Vandad Development, along with ASA North and the Pejman Foundation, has successfully fostered a bridge between Iranian and international art communities, promoting hope, beauty, and creativity amidst ongoing challenges. Their combined effort has made this project not only a beacon of contemporary art but also a monument of civic pride in Tehran.
The Argo Contemporary Art Museum & Cultural Center is an innovative project located at Ferdosi Square on Koshk Street, Tehran. This remarkable transformation of a former 1920’s beer factory into a contemporary arts hub was achieved over a 12-month renovation period with a budget of $500,000. The design was spearheaded by ASA North, an international architecture firm founded by Ahmadreza Schricker. However, the magic came to life through the diligent efforts and collaboration of Vandad Development, the general contractor, who collaborated closely with the design team and the client, the Pejman Foundation, to create this monument within the city.
Vandad Ghooparanloo is a renowned professional engineer dedicated to the rehabilitation of historical buildings. Graduating with honors in civil and architectural engineering from a prestigious Canadian university in 2009, Vandad began his career in heavy construction, specializing in tunneling. He obtained his Professional Engineers Ontario certification in 2014, marking his competence and dedication in engineering.
Driven by a passion for historical preservation, Vandad moved to Iran in 2015. There, he collaborated with architects and engineers on a wide range of projects including high-rise buildings, museums, cafes, and offices. In 2016, he founded Vandad Development, focusing on design and renovation. His remarkable work on the Argo Museum earned the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2019, showcasing his skill in blending historical integrity with modern standards.
Vandad’s commitment to quality and innovation has earned him industry accolades and affiliations with prestigious organizations such as the Tunneling Association of Canada and the Middle Eastern Society of Engineers and Architects. His career exemplifies a unique blend of engineering expertise and cultural preservation.
Architect’s aim was to create a dialogue between old and new by inserting a new foundation and metal structure to support floating concrete floors and roofs independently of the original exterior walls, thus allowing generous ceiling heights (up to 12 metres) for the climate-controlled galleries. All new insertions are curvilinear and employ distinct materials to differentiate them from the brick-built historic fabric: white concrete grand staircase; metal elevator; brass bar; strata of different-toned concrete cladding for the artist-in-residence tower. Restored brickwork is indicated by deeply recessed pointing. Echoing neighbouring vernacular roofs in form, the five new striated, pitched roof structures act as deep, insulating, filtering skylights and signal that the building is alive again: a symbolic “tip of the hat”. Former basement brewing pools were converted into sunken galleries.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2022
Dezeen Awards 2022Read more about our Create & Construct service, or contact us to discuss your project.
