A Comparative Study of Pre-Cultural-Revolution Architectural Education in the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, before and after 1967

Abstract

Ever since its initiation, the Faculty of Fine Arts has undergone a variety of transformations in terms of both the educational structure and the underlying thoughts. The present paper compares the system in periods before and after 1967 up to the Cultural Revolution. The main question of this research is: ‘what was the fundamental principles and educational methods of each period?’ The research method is interpretative-historical, followed by a comparative analysis.The comparison is based on general educational approaches, contents including induction, design, theories and the final project, and procedures including those concerning studios, lecturers and assessments. It appears that whilst enjoying many strengths, the first period has suffered crucial flaws such as those of ungrounded content with little connection with the country’s local, historical and national characteristics. Similarly, the second period has enjoyed its own strengths and suffered damages caused by the lack of an integrated, disciplined educational system. The research proposes, therefore, to appropriately adopt features of the first period and adjust it with the content-related necessities of the second.

Keywords

• faculty of fine arts
• e’cole des beaux-arts system
• architectural education
• bauhaus educational system
• contemporary architecture