Paradigms of Architectural Conservation in Contemporary Iran

 With respect to the multidisciplinary nature of architectural conservationbeing underlined in the international charters, a proper roleof an architect, one of the specialists contributing to this profession, has a positive impact on the success of conservation measures. However, after the introduction of the scientific conservation concepts in Iran, the performance of the architect in this profession became relatively weak compared to what was expected from this expertise in architectural conservation. It seems that determinants in contemporary conservation paradigms have weakened this performance.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of paradigm changes in architectural conservation in Iran on the performance of the architectafter the introduction of scientific conservation.

This research employshistorical and causal methods, which are among the subcategories of qualitative research.

In the traditional conservation period in Iran, the prevailing paradigm prioritizing social ideals required cultural performance from the architects that is their main task in conservation.  However, withthe introduction of scientific conservation and the superiority of other ideals in the dominant paradigm, social values were neglected, and the need for the architect’s cultural performance was eliminated.The long persistence of this paradigm weakened this ability of the architect. Despitethe introduction of the culturalist paradigm since the beginning of the last decade of the 20th century, the majority of the architectural scientific community has not yet been able to perform their cultural role, and this paradigm has not been established. However, due to the efforts of a small group of architects in approachingthe culturalist paradigm, the present era can be considered a period of transition. In the current conditions, a more serious definition of the architect’s position in the field of conservation, training of architects for cultural performance, and proper use of these abilities will play an effective role in the coordination of the majority of architects with the few pioneer architects and establishment of the culturalist paradigm.