Arash Boostani ha consolidato la sua carriera nella Conservazione Architettonica, ottenendo una Laurea in Ingegneria Civile e una Magistrale in Conservazione Architettonica. Ha conseguito il dottorato in Strutture e Conservazione dell'Architettura e del Patrimonio Culturale presso l'Università di Firenze. Dal 2010, è membro esperto dell'ICOMOS-ISCARSAH e membro della giuria per il Premio Patrimonio dell'Asia Pacifico dell'UNESCO. Con oltre 26 anni di esperienza nella conservazione di monumenti storici in Iran, nella Repubblica Autonoma di Nakhchivan, Afghanistan e Pakistan, Arash ha trascorso gli ultimi 18 anni come consulente strutturale senior e project manager per l'Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Afghanistan. Il suo lavoro comprende la progettazione e l'attuazione di interventi strutturali su importanti strutture murarie storiche, inclusi il Namakdan Timuride, l'Iwan principale di Khwaja Abdullah Ansari e il minareto inclinato della Madrassa di Gowharshad a Herat, tra gli altri. I suoi sforzi sono stati riconosciuti nel 2008 con il Premio dell'Eccellenza dell'UNESCO per tre dei suoi progetti a Herat. Inoltre, fa parte dell’ advisory panel per la conservazione di Ctesifonte in Iraq.
Legenda
Arash Boostani has established his career in Architectural Conservation, holding a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Architectural Conservation. He earned his PhD in Structures and Conservation of Architecture and Cultural Heritage from Florence University. Since 2010, he has been an expert member of the ICOMOS-ISCARSAH and a jury member for the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award.
With over 26 years of experience conserving historic monuments in Iran, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, Arash has spent the last 18 years as a senior structural consultant and project manager for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Afghanistan. His work encompasses the design and implementation of structural interventions on significant historic masonry structures, including the Timurid Namakdan, the main iwan of Khwaja Abdullah Ansari, and the leaning minaret of the Gowharshad Madrassa in Herat, among others.
His efforts were acknowledged in 2008 with the UNESCO Award of Excellence for three of his projects in Herat. Additionally, he serves on the advisory panel for conserving Ctesiphon in Iraq.
Education:
2019 - PhD. In “Structures and Conservation of Architecture and the Cultural Heritage”, Florence University, Italy. Thesis title: “Traditional construction techniques in Northern Afghanistan. Consolidation and retrofitting on ancient architecture: the case of Noh-Gonbad Mosque in Balkh.”
2002 - MA in “Conservation & Restoration of Historic Monuments & Sites” Azad University, Tehran, Iran, Thesis title: “Comparative analysis of the Historic Bridges of Lorestan. Case study: Kashkan Bridge.”
1996 - BSc in Civil Engineering (Structural Analysis), Azad University, Zahedan, Iran
Certificates:
2009 - Certificate in “Conservation and Management of Persian, Timurid and Mughal Architecture,” International Workshop, UNESCO World Heritage Center and Archaeological Survey of India, Delhi, and Agra, India
2003 - Certificate in “Retrofitting of Masonry Structures and Earthquake Resistant Design,” International Short Course, Technical University of Dresden, Germany
PROFESSIONAL Experience Key positions relevant to the field of conservation & restoration of historic buildings:
2021 to present - Founding partner & associate of ReStruere an approved Spin-off of the University of Florence,Senior Consultant and Executive Board Member. Consultant on structural retrofitting and roofing of the World Heritage Gelati Monastery, Georgia, Structural assessment of the Aleppo Museum after the earthquake, and Historic wall of Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
2012 to Nov 2023 - Project Manager for Aga Khan Trust for Culture Responsible for the structural conservation project of Bala Hissar of Kabul, Herat 5th Minaret, Noh Gonbad, Khwaja Parsa Mosque, Mes Aynak salvage project, Baba Haji Mosque in Ghazni, Sunbah Qoli Madrassa entrance, Mir-e Ruzadar Shrine, Khwaja Akasha shrine, Khwaja Bajgahi, Balkh ancient city wall, Shadian pass arch, Burj-e Ayarran, and other conservation projects in Balkh(12 in total in Balkh), liaison with local government institutions, advocacy within resident communities and local government. Office management, preparation of funding proposals, etc.
2010 to Present: UNESCO Asia Pacific, jury member for Asia Pacific Heritage Award.
Oct 2015 to Oct 2017 - Research Assistant atArchitecture Department of Florence University (DIDA-UNIFI), research subject “Consolidation of the perimeter walls of the mosque of Noh Gunbad and the archaeological site, Balkh, Afghanistan”
2017 - Correlator of Thesis, “Interventi di consolidamento e istanze conservative nell’ architettura in terra, Criteri, metodi e interrogative nel progetto di recupero e musealizzazione della moschea di Noh-Gunbad, Balkh, Afghanistan”, Sara Soldaini, Scuola di specializzazione in beni architettonici e del paesaggio, Università degli studi di Firenze. Relatore: Prof. U. Tonietti.
2015 January - Representative of the International Union of Architects (UIA) as a deputy Jury representative, on the international jury for the Bamiyan Cultural Centre competition.
2015 to 2018 - Structural design of Rammed earth constructions of Chihilsitoon Garden Project for Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Kabul, Afghanistan. (https://www.archdaily.com/911456/chihilsitoon-garden-project-aga-khan-trust-for-culture )
2010- to present -Founding partner & associate: Toseh Hefazat Pishgiraneh Khorshid, (Khorshid, Development of preventive conservation Co.) Management of Documentation and Research in Cultural Heritage Fields. Documentation Part of Masoudieh Cople (Emarat Khorshid – 2013); Projects: Study of Tehran Town History inside the Safavid Rampart Area (Negin Shahr Co.- 2013); Managing Study and Documentation of Qaleh Morghi Historic Airport – Tehran (Soomeh Co. – 2012); Documentation of four historic Building in North Khorasan (Naghsh Avaran Tous Co. – 2011).
2010 to 2012 - Senior Conservation Consultant for Aga Khan Trust for Culture Responsible for the structural conservation project of Noh Gonbad in Balkh.
2010 to present - Expert Member of the ICOMOS - International Scientific Committee on the Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage (ISCARSAH)
2009 (Oct, Nov) - Senior Conservation Consultant for Aga Khan Trust for Culture/Historic Cities Support Programme in Herat, Kabul and Balkh, Afghanistan. Responsible for the structural conservation projects: Gazurgah Shrine Complex in Herat, Borj-e-Vazir in Kabul and Noh Gonbad in Balkh.
2009 -2011 - Consultant (part-time), UNESCO Tehran Cluster office.
2008 to Mar 2016 - General Secretary of the Iranian ICOMOS committee.
2005 -08 - Project Manager for Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Historic Cities Support Programme in Herat, Afghanistan. Responsible for the management of AKTC/HCSP’s operation in the old city of Herat and the shrine complex of Gozargah, including supervision of a range of conservation and rehabilitation works; physical surveys and documentation; support for planning and coordination through the inter-institutional Commission for the Development of the Old City of Herat; liaison with local government institutions; advocacy within resident communities and local government. Office management, including finance, administration, HR, preparation of funding proposals, etc.
2004 - Conservation Consultant: Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Historic Cities Support Programme for the reconstruction of a historic caravanserai, visitors center, and garden management offices, as part of a wider program of conservation and rehabilitation in Baghe (Garden) Babur, Kabul, Afghanistan
2003-04 - Site manager: ALSTOM-Afghanistan; responsible for the rehabilitation of 110 kV overhead power lines between substations in Kabul, as part of a broader program of repair of the electricity grid in the city
2003 - Site manager: Denkmalpflege Mecklenburg Gmbh Schwerin, contracted for the conservation of Momine Khatun and Karabaglar mausoleums in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan.
2002 - Senior Consultant: ICHO (Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization) for the Conservation of Saadabad Royal Complex, Tehran, Iran
2000 to present - Founding partner & associate: Khesht-o-Khorshid Research & Conservation of Historic Monuments Co., Tehran; (Head of the Board since 2004). Key consultancy projects for ICHO to present include the preparation of conservation and rehabilitation plans for the Ghasr-e-Bahram caravanserai, SE of Tehran; restoration and rehabilitation of the historic residence of Zolfaghari in Zanjan; restoration of the Kolah-Farangi monument in Tehran; pathology consultancy for the Alborz School building in Tehran; design of the historic landscape for Iranian Melli Bank in Tehran, preparation of conservation and rehabilitation plans for the Masjed-e-Sorkh Mosque in Saveh, preparation of conservation and rehabilitation plans for the Emam Mohammad Fam Shrine in Tafresh, Documentation of Italian Embassy building in Tehran and ...
1998 - 2000 - Site Manager: ICHO (Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization): conservation of Masudiyeh Palace in Tehran.
1994 -1998 - Consultancies in civil engineering include projects for Zahedan Electronic Industries and the construction of the Karun III Dam and Khash Cement Factory in Iran.
CONFERENCES:
PUBLISHED WORK
My primary interest is deeply rooted in the study and application of traditional construction techniques, particularly in preserving structures effectively using locally sourced materials and indigenous methods. This focus not only honours each project's unique cultural and historical significance but also champions sustainable conservation efforts. By integrating and revitalizing traditional construction methodologies, we aim to achieve environmentally considerate and culturally respectful conservation, thereby seamlessly connecting historical practices with contemporary sustainability goals.
