Birthplace of Modern Architecture in Tehran (First Modern Architecture Building in the Capital, Analysis)

Modern architecture is a result and outcome of the industrial revolution and modern technology. Modern architecture was a turning point in the history of world architecture because, for the first time, architects looked consciously toward the future instead of the past.
In this paper, the main question is: which building and in what year the first modern buildings in Tehran were constructed. The second question is: what the main features of these buildings were.
In Iran the design approach of the Chicago school and art nouveau, as part of the early modern architecture movement, failed to appear. Mainly it was the ideas behind art deco and the international style that were used for the design of the first modern buildings in Iran.
The tower hosting the Persian and British Oil Company in Tehran from 1938 was the first modern building in Iran. Its style was art deco.MarkarGalvestian was most probably the architect of this building. He had studied architecture in the King’s College of London.
Top of the building was stepped, like most art deco master pieces such as Chrysler Building and Empire State Building, both in New York City. The zigzag fenestrations on the window openings also resemble art deco buildings.
 This style was basically used in Tehran for buildings with modern functions such as offices, hotels, factories and schools.
The Architectural and construction features of the Art Deco style in Tehran can be summarized as follows:
1 – New and innovative forms with straight or streamed lines,
2 – Feature tower in a stepped form, in the middle of a building,
3 – New decorations and motifs with industrial shapes,
4 – Use of steel or concrete structures with or without bearing walls,
4 – Symmetry and asymmetry in plan and façade,
5 – The use of stone, brick and stucco in façade designs,
6 – Flat or gable roofs.
The first International style building in Iran was the Girls' Technical School of 1935-38 in Tehran. This building was designed by VartavnHavanesian who was also western educated – in France. There were no ornaments or any reference to historical elements. Cubic shaped volumes, straight lines and cement stucco for exteriors were the main features of this very modern building. This building was the prototype of many buildings of this style in Tehran.
 
 Clients of all buildings in this style were government agencies. Offices, ministries, schools and hotels were designed in this style.
The Architectural and construction features of the International Style and its physical characteristics can be described as follows:
1 – Simplicity in façade and plan,
2 - Lack of ornament or historical references,
3- Use of steel or concrete structures with or without bearing walls,
4 – Covering facades with stone or stucco,
5 - Emphasis on horizontal, straight lines drawn in façade,
6 – Horizontal continuous windows,
7- Mostly flat roofs,