La Fondation Avicenne (ex Maison de l'Iran)
Architects: Claude PARENT, with André BLOC, Hedar GHIA, Mossem FOROUGHI (1966-1968)
Location: Cité internationale Universitaire de Paris, France
This project 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 is now managed by the University of Paris system, but it's currently abandoned. The University website says it's undergoing renovations, but I didn't see a lot of construction or restoration activity going on there.
La Fondation Avicenne (ex Maison de l'Iran)
Architects: Claude PARENT, with André BLOC, Hedar GHIA, Mossem FOROUGHI (1966-1968)
Location: Cité internationale Universitaire de Paris, France
This project 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 is now managed by the University of Paris system, but it's currently abandoned. The University website says it's undergoing renovations, but I didn't see a lot of construction or restoration activity going on there.