Tehran’s residential architecture over the past half century has been a mirror of the conflicts between tradition and modernity in the context of Iran’s social, economic, and political developments. This study, with a stylistic and historical-comparative approach, analyzes the process of changes in the three main components of architecture, namely form, materials, and design patterns, between 1350 and 1400. In this direction, prominent projects such as the Ekbatan settlement as a symbol of academic modernism, the Mehr housing as an example of low-quality mass construction, and new projects such as the Abshaar Tower, Zeytoon, and the Farahzad renovation have been examined. The findings show that in the 1350s, the elimination of identity-building elements such as the central courtyard and the porch was carried out in line with industrial and modernist patterns. In the 1380s, macro policies such as the Mehr housing, by prioritizing quantity over quality, led to the elimination of spatiality and the creation of textures without identity. In contrast, the 2011s and beyond have witnessed an attempt to redefine traditional elements in a new form; the use of refractory bricks, the creation of elevated courtyards, green roofs, and semi-open spaces are examples of this new trend. The results show that Tehran’s residential architecture has not been a uniform trend but a dynamic process influenced by social, political, and economic forces. Also, a critical return to tradition and its combination with modern technologies can provide a sustainable and distinctive model for the future. A review of recent examples proves that the conscious integration of tradition and modernity is not only possible, but also an inevitable necessity to respond to contemporary needs and preserve the Iranian-Islamic identity in architecture. This article aims to show that the future of Tehran’s residential architecture depends on learning from past experiences and designing spaces that, while paying attention to functional requirements and environmental sustainability, also maintain a sense of place and connection with local culture.

Tehran’s residential architecture over the past half century has been a mirror of the conflicts between tradition and modernity in the context of Iran’s social, economic, and political developments. This study, with a stylistic and historical-comparative approach, analyzes the process of changes in the three main components of architecture, namely form, materials, and design patterns, between 1350 and 1400. In this direction, prominent projects such as the Ekbatan settlement as a symbol of academic modernism, the Mehr housing as an example of low-quality mass construction, and new projects such as the Abshaar Tower, Zeytoon, and the Farahzad renovation have been examined. The findings show that in the 1350s, the elimination of identity-building elements such as the central courtyard and the porch was carried out in line with industrial and modernist patterns. In the 1380s, macro policies such as the Mehr housing, by prioritizing quantity over quality, led to the elimination of spatiality and the creation of textures without identity. In contrast, the 2011s and beyond have witnessed an attempt to redefine traditional elements in a new form; the use of refractory bricks, the creation of elevated courtyards, green roofs, and semi-open spaces are examples of this new trend. The results show that Tehran’s residential architecture has not been a uniform trend but a dynamic process influenced by social, political, and economic forces. Also, a critical return to tradition and its combination with modern technologies can provide a sustainable and distinctive model for the future. A review of recent examples proves that the conscious integration of tradition and modernity is not only possible, but also an inevitable necessity to respond to contemporary needs and preserve the Iranian-Islamic identity in architecture. This article aims to show that the future of Tehran’s residential architecture depends on learning from past experiences and designing spaces that, while paying attention to functional requirements and environmental sustainability, also maintain a sense of place and connection with local culture.

Tehran’s residential architecture over the past half century has been a mirror of the conflicts between tradition and modernity in the context of Iran’s social, economic, and political developments. This study, with a stylistic and historical-comparative approach, analyzes the process of changes in the three main components of architecture, namely form, materials, and design patterns, between 1350 and 1400. In this direction, prominent projects such as the Ekbatan settlement as a symbol of academic modernism, the Mehr housing as an example of low-quality mass construction, and new projects such as the Abshaar Tower, Zeytoon, and the Farahzad renovation have been examined. The findings show that in the 1350s, the elimination of identity-building elements such as the central courtyard and the porch was carried out in line with industrial and modernist patterns. In the 1380s, macro policies such as the Mehr housing, by prioritizing quantity over quality, led to the elimination of spatiality and the creation of textures without identity. In contrast, the 2011s and beyond have witnessed an attempt to redefine traditional elements in a new form; the use of refractory bricks, the creation of elevated courtyards, green roofs, and semi-open spaces are examples of this new trend. The results show that Tehran’s residential architecture has not been a uniform trend but a dynamic process influenced by social, political, and economic forces. Also, a critical return to tradition and its combination with modern technologies can provide a sustainable and distinctive model for the future. A review of recent examples proves that the conscious integration of tradition and modernity is not only possible, but also an inevitable necessity to respond to contemporary needs and preserve the Iranian-Islamic identity in architecture. This article aims to show that the future of Tehran’s residential architecture depends on learning from past experiences and designing spaces that, while paying attention to functional requirements and environmental sustainability, also maintain a sense of place and connection with local culture.