Hossein Amanat

The Centre of the Study of the Texts, Bahá’í World Centre, Haifa, Israel.In 1966, Hossein Amanat, then a 24-year-old graduate of Tehran University, won a national competition that launched his architectural career. He was chosen to design the Shahyad Freedom Monument in Tehran, which has since become an internationally recognized symbol of modern Iran.

Mr. Amanat went on to create many other outstanding buildings in Iran, China, Samoa, the United States, and other countries.

In 1972, Mr. Amanat undertook the design of the seat of the Universal House of Justice and, more recently, three other administrative buildings on Mount Carmel. The buildings’ requirements were that they had to be functional, be able to accommodate future technology, and last for centuries. Rendered in classical Greek style to harmonize with the existing structures and the elaborate gardens surrounding them, these buildings were a departure from his avant-garde contemporary style. In order not to overwhelm the existing formal gardens, Mr. Amanat designed the buildings as pavilions above ground, with the rest of the spaces underground, using light wells to allow natural light to enter.

In creating this unique complex, Mr. Amanat has captured the soul of Western classical architecture and united it with the Eastern principles that lie at its heart. In 1985, he was awarded the Tucker Architectural Award for excellence in design and use of stone.

Now a Canadian citizen, Mr. Amanat works on international projects from his office in Vancouver, where he has lived since 1980.