This two-acre Kensington site has had a very troubled history. Purchased by the Iranian Government in the mid-1970's a fire destroyed all the existing historic buildings ten years later. Since that time various schemes have been proposed, while the site itself remains a vacant lot.
In 1998 Tehran-based architects Serat Misagh submitted a planning application for a cultural centre with a development footprint of 12,500 square metres. Following its refusal the Iranian Embassy in London appointed our practice to consult with the architects on a redesign that would satisfy the Borough Planners. This involved a 25% reduction in the development area, reinstatement of the historic facades facing Queensgate, and a more contextually appropriate design for the principal Harrington Road facade.
The revised design was approved in 2000.
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View a copy of the design report.
