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La Maison de l'Iran 

Photographer: Darren Bradley 

Architect/Designer: Claude Parent

Client: Personal Work

Location: Paris, France

Shoot Date: 
February 24, 2013 
This project for a dormitory for the Iranian students in Paris was initiated by two Iranian architects (Ghia and Foroughi) at the beginning of the 1960s. But their designs and applications for permits were continually refused by the local authorities, who didn't like the initial design (a Bauhaus-style block encrusted with Persian motifs) and also that the building was planned to be taller than the height limit authorized at the time. So the frustrated architects called upon André Bloc, renowned founder of the revue "Architecture d'Aujourd'hui" to help guide them through the French bureaucratic maze. Bloc, in turned, convinced them to recruit Claude Parent to take a fresh look at the design, and he started over with a blank sheet of paper. His project was also refused, initially, by the commission but suddenly all the permits were accorded in record time when it was announced in 1966 that the Shah of Iran would be visiting France on a State Visit and was planning to inaugurate the construction of the building at that time.
The Fondation Avicenne, as the building is now known, is managed by the University of Paris system, but only the lower floors are being used for offices and meeting space. The tower appears to be empty. 
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