Retrieving the Spatial Structure and Form of Bagh-i Ferdows in Shemiran

In Qajar period, due to ethnic interests and characteristics, and also because of continuing traditions of court, garden making was taken into consideration. In Tehran, which was the capital and the home town for the royals, a number of gardens were created by kings, courtiers and princes. Bagh-i Ferdows is one of those gardens which was established by one of courtiers near to Mohammadiyeh Palace, owned by Mohammad Shah. This garden was noteworthy for many years and the family of Moayer al-Mamalek and other owners tried to complete and improve it. The only survived parts of the garden are the mansion built by Doust Ali Khan-i Moayer al-Mamalek, which has been devoted to Cinema Museum, and some part of the garden around this building.Although the majority of garden’s parts have been separated and their land uses have been changed, it is possible to retrieve the original structure and form of the garden based on remained documents and texts. This paper tries to recognize the original features of the garden and its evolution over the time according to field researches and historical documents. Retrieving the original spatial structure and form was done based on studying different parts and elements of the garden, particularly in five categories, after an attempt to recognize the garden. Surrounding context and original and destroyed arena, the entrances and passages, remained trees, irrigation system and also significant buildings are those five categories. These categories and the information derived from them, which in some cases present an image of the garden structure, all together create a true perception of general form of the garden.