Revitalization of Farah-Abad Garden in Isfahan
Esfahan-Iran1977

This garden used to be the summer residence of Shah-Soltan-Hossein-e-Safavi. This complex was located at the foot of Sofe Mountain, west of Isfahan. The royal palaces were built on the elevated zone in southern part of the site. The landscape of the complex benefits from geometric order. An artificial lake existed beyond the gardens of the complex.

This complex was connected to Hezar-Jarib and Char-Bagh Gardens and the Safavid palaces in west side of Naqsh-e- Jahan Square via Shahi Road.
The palaces of this complex were built of raw brick and therefore the only remainders of the whole compound are parts of the enclosure wall.The proposal is a revitalization plan for the complex with following objectives:

1.This complex reminds Safavid Isfahan. Therefore its reconstruction represents tracing the city’s history
2.Since this complex is situated adjacent to the western entrance of Isfahan, its existence would enhance the prominence and beauty of this entrance.
3. This complex will act as a public green area for the whole region.
4. Its presence will restrict the city’s growth along the Isfahan-Poulad Shahr road and in this way will help preserving the agricultural plots of the area.
5. Poulad-Shahr and other surrounding towns and rural areas would benefit from this complex and its facilities. This will engender social relationship between the inhabitants of these centers and the residents of the city of Isfahan.
6.The intersection of Isfahan –Poulad Shahr road with Vahid Street would be transformed into an urban y-track. This diminishes the pressure on this spot as the western entrance of Isfahan.

The site of this project is 2500 m in length and 800 m in width. At present time its land use pattern is as follows:
a. The southern sector belongs to the army
b. The central zone Adjacent to Poulad-Shahr road is allocated to residential units
c. The northern sector includes gardens and agricultural plots.
The objective of this project is not the complete reconstruction of the area. In stead the main goal is to generate a complex that both responds to the modern requirements of today and also adheres to architectural and landscape principles of the former compound.

The design proposed implications are as follows:
-The southern sector – where the palaces and gardens were situated- must be allocated to recreational use.
-The present gardens and agricultural plots-situated in the northern sector of the site- must be preserved.
-The artificial lake must be reconstructed at its previous location.
- Where the Isfahan-Poulad Shahr road meets this complex, it must pass beneath the pedestrian flow level with the bus stops and parking zones on the same level, thus the pedestrian flow would not be disrupted.