Fereydun Sorushiyān Garden House in Kerman

Fereydun Sorushiyān Garden House is a historic, cultural place dating back to Pahlavi period. In a transfer from tradition to modernity, it was built on the basis of European plan in combination with Persian architectural elements. This place belongs to the Zoroastrian minority in Kerman and is located in the vicinity of fire temple neighborhood at the northern margin of Shohadā (Zarisaf) St. near other garden houses in the region. Unfortunately, this house is abandoned today and it suffers severe erosion and damage. Writing an article on such a place may facilitate appropriate recognition of it as a model for Zoroastrian houses in Iran and Kerman.The building and garden were constructed in 1300-1308 SH (1921-1929 AD) by the late Fereydun Sorushiyān. Its completion lasted until 1313 SH (1934-35 AD). Its designer was an English person and the building is in English style as well. The construction process coincided with the building of Irān-Shahr high school and Morsalin Hospital in Kerman. It was occupied by the Governmental Management Training Center for a certain period of time and also was used as Shahid Bāhonar Faculty of Art and Architecture (Sabā) during 1378-1382 SH (1999-2003 AD). Meanwhile, some changes occurred in the construction of the building as a result of administrative functions.The main building of the garden is a central kiosk located along the eastern to western axis with four external, separate facades. In the construction of the building, despite sharing a close, formal affinity with European buildings, local material and patterns besides native Persian decoration have been applied. In constructing the place, the application of brick-work, appearing once again in the Pahlavi period, is evident. Furthermore, all the spaces in the main kiosk, apart from the upper arch in first floor staircase, ground floor understairs and the first stairway landing, are decorated with Kalil-e Āzari (a type of Persian drop arch) arches. Other principal features to be mentioned in this building are as follows: using double-leafed doors with wooden decoration, using special symbols and characteristics from the Zoroastrian culture besides genuine Persian motifs in exterior and interior decoration, and observing private sphere in interiors despite the exterior characteristic of the central kiosk.