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Series II: Mehrshahr Development
Series VII: Other Files

Taliesin Associated Architects projects in Iran : architectural drawings and records, 1968-1980

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Series I: Pearl Palace

The Pearl Palace was a dream commission for Peters and TAA who were fascinated by "Tales of the Arabian Nights." The contract was signed in November 1965 following William Wesley Peters' travel to Tehran. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 30, 1969. Tom Casey was the on-site superintendent and the structural designer of the Pear Palace and lived in Iran with his wife Effi (who was also a member of the fellowship) for about seven years. Other members including Johnny Hill, Cornelia Brierly, Stephen and Frances Nemtin also worked on the interior and landscape designs and by traveling to Iran supervised the implementation of the designs. Olgivanna Wright supervised the interior design and chose the color schemes and fabrics. Pearl palace was finished in December 1st, 1973 but in 1974 the large dome started to leak and the process of restoration continued to 1977. The total cost of the construction was estimated around 3.5 million dollars.

A large portion of the documents and drawings in this series are related to the interior design and the construction of the interior spaces. While the Iranian Behsaznow Construction Co. Ltd. was the main contractor, Western Contract International (WCI) was responsible for ordering the manufacturing and importation of many of the interior components that were designed by TAA and produced all over the world. Ickes-Braun Glasshouses (IBG) was the American contractor for the translucent domes system and Georgio Adreani and Co. from Italy designed and executed the aluminum and plastic parts of the palace. Musetti-Raffo Company from Italy did the Marbles while George Thomas Association designed the auditorium lighting. Chandeliers were produced in Vienna and Uffizi Gallery employees applied gold leaves to the walls.

This Series is divided of two sub-series: Drawings and Records.

Sub-series 1: Drawings

This sub-series contains working and presentation drawings for the Pearl Palace which were created from 1966 till 1972. The series contain more than 1,000 drawings. Many of the final drawings were water damaged during their shipment back to the U.S. The collection includes many copies and working drawings with mark-ups and annotations.

Drawings are divided into the following sub-groups: Architectural; Interior and Furnishing; Site Development and Landscape; Structural / Mechanical / Electrical and Graphic; and Other.

ARCHITECTURAL


Drawer 167 Folder 1 Board Mounted Renderings of the Palace, ca. 1970

Board Mounted renderings of exterior and interior views and elevations


Drawer 167 Folder 2 The Palace Building, ca. 1970

6 items including encapsulated color pencil renderings of roof plan, floor plans and perspectives illustrating two design alternatives for spatial configurations


Drawer 167 Folder 3 Architecture Technical Drawings, 1969

refer to the list for the full titles of the drawings


Drawer 167 Folder 4 As-Built Architecture Technical Drawings, 1973

refer to the list for the full titles of the drawings


Drawer 167 Folder 5 Design Process and Working Drawings, ca. 1970s

50+ items including copies of plans, sections and elevations, drawings for spatial configurations


Drawer 167 Folder 6 Design Process and Working Drawings, ca. 1970s

19 items including the study sketches of perspective of the palace building


Drawer 167 Folder 7 Entrance Gate, Guard House and Sentry Station, ca. 1970

37 items including encapsulated color pencil renderings including Plans, Elevations, Sections and Perspective plus ten mylar sheets containing construction details and specifications


Drawer 167 Folder 8 Dance Pavilion, ca. 1970

8 items including encapsulated color pencil renderings of floor plans, elevations and perspectives


Drawer 166 Folder 15 Hot House, 1971

8 item including plan, section, elevations and structural drawings created by Zivar (an Iranian firm)


Drawer 169 Folder 14 Library Pergola and Gallery, 1970-1971

7 items including site plan, plan and plan of trellis


Drawer 169 Folder 13 Conservatory, ca. 1970

6 items including technical drawings and a site-plan rendering


Drawer 169 Folder 12 Last Resting Place for Animals/ Mehrdasht Villa, ca.1965-70

4 items Designed by Nezam Amery including primary sketches and final renderings; 2 perspective views of the villa designed for Shams Pahlavi on the land later became part of Pearl Palace compound


Cabinet A92X.10 Roll 15 Mehrdasht Villa By Nezam, ca.1965

Architectural drawing for the first villa on the compound of Pearl Palace prior to the intervention by TAA. The villa is designed by the office of Nezam Amery (Nezam Amery, Kamooneh and Khosravi Architects) and was built on the land later became part of Pearl Palace compound.


Cabinet A92X.01 Roll 1 Library Pergola, Gallery and Hot House, 1971-1972

10 items including construction details, sections and elevations


Cabinet A92X.02 Roll 2 Summer Dining Pavilion/ Last resting place for Animals/Gate House, 1969-1974

15 Items including architectural designs and sketches


Cabinet A92X.03 Roll 3 Kitchen Addition, 1975-1976

10 Items including original architecture and structural drawings on mylar


Tube RECAP Roll 4 Dome Systems and Details for Domes' Renovation, 1971-1977

31 items created by various creators including Ross and Associate Architects/TAA/IBG (Ickes Braun Glasshouses); items include architectural drawings and construction details

INTERIOR DESIGN AND FURNISHING


Drawer 169 Folder 11 Detailed Interior Plans, ca. 1970

19 items including encapsulated color pencil renderings of plans of various interior spaces


Drawer 169 Folder 10 Detailed Interior Sections, ca. 1970

8 items including encapsulated color pencil renderings of sections of various interior spaces


Drawer 170 Folder 18 Interior Views, ca. 1970

20 items: Encapsulated color pencil renderings of interior views


Drawer 170 Folder 17 Interior Views, ca. 1970

20 items: Encapsulated color pencil renderings of interior views


Drawer 170 Folder 16 Interior Views, ca. 1970

20 items: Encapsulated color pencil renderings of interior views


Drawer 170 Folder 15 Interior Views, ca. 1970

13 items: Encapsulated color pencil renderings of interior views


Drawer 166 Folder 16 X-IR Supplementary Drawings No:1-17, 1969-1970

refer to the supplementary list for the full titles of drawings in this folder


Drawer 168 Folder 1 X-IR Supplementary Drawings No:18-35, 1970-1971

refer to the supplementary list for the full titles of drawings in this folder


Drawer 168 Folder 2 X-IR Supplementary Drawings No:36-41 and 43-53, 1970-1971

refer to the supplementary list for the full titles of drawings in this folder


Drawer 168 Folder 3 X-IR Supplementary Drawings No:56-85, 1970-1971

refer to the supplementary list for the full titles of drawings in this folder


Drawer 168 Folder 4 X-IR Supplementary Drawings No: 86-104, 1970-1972

refer to the supplementary list for the full titles of drawings in this folder


Drawer 168 Folder 5 X-IR Supplementary Drawings No:105-128, 1971-1973

refer to the supplementary list for the full titles of drawings in this folder


Drawer 169 Folder 1 Interior Design and Furniture Working Drawings, ca. 1970

53 items including copies and sketches for the designs of furniture, wall coverings, tables, patterns, mosaics, developed elevations and murals


Drawer 169 Folder 2 Interior Design and Furniture Working Drawings, ca. 1970

44 items including pencil drawings on trace paper for the design of beds and bedspreads, tables, furniture and cabinet work


Drawer 169 Folder 3 Chandeliers and Light Fixtures, 1970-1971

17 items including the original pencil drawings on trace paper for chandeliers crystals and light fixtures


Drawer 169 Folder 4 Interior Design Working Drawings, ca. 1970

25 items including pencil drawings on trace papers of lavatory basin, door knobs, cover plates for switches, door and entrances, fascia details, metal fences, wall panels, carpet and applique patterns


Drawer 166 Folder 1 Interior Design Working Drawings, ca. 1970

52 items including original variations of design for furniture and tables; technical drawings and free hand perspectives; ink on trance paper, probably designed and drawn by Tom Casey


Drawer 166 Folder 2 Design Process and Working Drawings, ca. 1970

60+ items including detailed plans and sections, cabinet works clippings, etc.


Drawer 166 Folder 3 Construction Details From IBG and Adreani, 1972-1973

42 items including construction details for domes, interior single and double door created by IBG and Adreani


Tube RECAP Roll 5 Interior Design's Working Drawings and Construction Details, 1972

28 items including working drawings for bathrooms and banquet Hall


Cabinet A92X.04 Roll 6 Interior Design's Working Drawings and Construction Details, 1969-1971

29 items including rug patterns/ interior designs for sitting room, family dining room, pool, lounge and bird perch


Cabinet A92X.05 Roll 7 Interior Design's Working Drawings and Construction Details, 1966-1972

28 items including working drawings and details of garden guest room and recreation area/entrance hall, study, office and Pahlbod's bedroom


Cabinet A92X.06 Roll 8 Interior Design's Working Drawings and Construction Details, 1972

33 items including reception hall/shahrazad room/ sitting room/ guest wing/bar/banquet room


Cabinet A92X.07 Roll 9 Interior Design's Working Drawings and Construction Details, 1970-1971

13 items including interior perspectives, elevations, color scheme and mural designs


Cabinet A92X.08 Roll 10 Interior Design's Working Drawings and Construction Details, 1972-1973

32 items including single and double doors/ bronze decoration of the entrance double doors/free standing screens/ railings and their supports/small domes/ entrance closing/etc.


Tube RECAP Roll 11 Construction Details and Dimensions of Auditorium, 1970-1971

22 items including auditorium lighting schema in plan and section, auditorium seating plan

SITE DEVELOPMENT AND LANDSCAPE


Drawer 169 Folder 5 Site Development and Landscape Design, 1971

6 items including encapsulated original drawings: renderings of a plan for a conservatory and two perspectives


Drawer 169 Folder 6 Site Development and Landscape Design, ca. 1970

31 items including copies and working drawings with annotations and designs also include a panoramic image of the site


Cabinet A92X.09 Roll 12 Site Development and Landscape Design, 1966-1977

27 items including topography plans, Interior and exterior landscape, landscape lighting and plumbing plans


Tube RECAP Roll 13 Site Development and Landscape Design, 1973

14 items including duplicates of landscape plans

STRUCTURAL / MECHANICAL / ELECTRICAL


Drawer 169 Folder 7 Structural Drawings + Site Development, 1969

refer to the list for the full titles of the drawings


Drawer 169 Folder 8 As-Built Structural Drawings, 1969-1973

refer to the list for the full titles of the drawings


Drawer 169 Folder 9 Electrical and Mechanical Drawings, 1969

refer to the list for the full titles of the drawings


Tube RECAP Roll 14 Duplicates of Mechanical Drawings, 1969

10 items the same as mechanical drawings in Folder 36

GRAPHICS AND OTHERS


Drawer 166 Folder 4 Furniture Design

1 item Photo Stat Negative


Drawer 166 Folder 5 Crest Design, 1966


Box 10 Folder 3 Bird's Perch, ca.1970s

8 items, Color pencil drawings showing alternative designs; board mounted


Box 10 Folder 4 Uniforms, ca.1970s

4 items, Color pencil drawings showing designs for guards, servants, drivers and gardeners

Sub-series 2: Records

Other than contracts, financial estimates, costs and fee and statements, the Records sub-series includes mainly correspondences between architects, owner (the Cabinet of Shams Pahlavi), clerk of works (Tom Casey), associate architect (Nezam Amery), contractors, consultants and suppliers. A few photos, some hand-drawn furniture designs and Christmas card designs are also documented in the records. Two construction logbooks included in the collection recorded the day-by-day activities on the construction site from 1969 to 1973. Last part of the records is the documentation of the litigation process after 1979 when the royal family fled to the United States without settling their accounts with TAA. The lawsuit involves the accounts for both Pearl Palace and the Mehrafarin Villa. The content of each folder in this series is ordered chronologically.

CONTRACTS


Box 1 Folder 1 Indexes

Copy of index of headings, File Index, Codes and two copies of the Index of Supplementary Drawings


Box 1 Folder 2 Contracts; Owner-Architect I, 1965-1973

Contracts are signed by William Wesley Peters and Ali Naghi Ansary


Box 1 Folder 3 Contracts; Owner-Architect II, 1965-1973

Copy of the Contracts are signed by William Wesley Peters and Ali Naghi Ansary


Box 1 Folder 4 Contracts; Architect-Suppliers, 1976

FEES AND STATEMENTS


Box 1 Folder 5 Areas, Estimates and Costs, 1968-1973


Box 1 Folder 6 Program Notes, ca. 1970

Including handwritten minutes of the meeting and design ideas


Box 1 Folder 7 Construction Cost, As Built, 1973

Farsi and English


Box 1 Folder 8 Prospective Contractors, April 1968-October 1969

Correspondence with prospective contractors, Initial estimates and bids, Rejection letters from contractors


Box 1 Folder 9 Bids for Construction, 1969


Box 1 Folder 10 Financing Prospects, 1969


Box 1 Folder 11 Fees and Statements, 1966-1977


Box 1 Folder 12 Accounts-Iran, 1970-1971

CORRESPONDENCE


Box 1 Folder 13 [Associate] Nezam Amery I, 1965-1968

Correspondences between Nezam Amery and TAA, mostly with William Wesley Peters


Box 1 Folder 14 [Associate] Nezam Amery II, 1969-1976

Correspondences between Nezam Amery and TAA, mostly with William Wesley Peters


Box 1 Folder 15 Arch Rep/Clerk of the Works Correspondence I, August 1969-June 1970

Correspondences between TAA Architects including Wesley Peters, Edmond Thomas Casey, John Hill, Bernard Dubrill, Stephen Nemtin, Schultz


Box 1 Folder 16 Arch Rep/Clerk of the Works Correspondence II, July 1970-April 1971

Correspondences between TAA Architects including Wesley Peters, Edmond Thomas Casey, John Hill, Bernard Dubrill, Stephen Nemtin, Schultz


Box 1 Folder 17 Arch Rep/Clerk of the Works Correspondence III, March 1971-May 1972


Box 1 Folder 18 Arch Rep/Clerk of the Works Correspondence IV, June 1972-June 1973


Box 1 Folder 19 Arch Rep/Clerk of the Works Correspondence V, June 1973-November 1974


Box 1 Folder 20 Arch Rep/Clerk of the Works Correspondence VI, December 1974-November 1977

Correspondences between TAA Architects including Wesley Peters, Edmod Thomas Casey, John Hill, Bernard Dubrill, Stephen Nemtin, Schultz


Box 1 Folder 21 Arch Rep/Clerk of the Works Correspondence VII, 1972-1978


Box 2 Folder 1 Mechanical, Electrical Consultants I, 1965-1970

Correspondences regarding Mechanical systems and equipment of the palace. Including E.R Ronald and Associates Consulting Engineers, Sholleh Talai Co.Ltd. and Behsaznow Construction Company Ltd.


Box 2 Folder 2 Mechanical, Electrical Consultant II, 1971-1973

Correspondences regarding Mechanical systems and equipment of the palace. Including E.R Ronald and Associates Consulting Engineers, Ameresco Inc.M.Ifker, Billman regular ab


Box 2 Folder 3 Mechanical, Electrical Consultants III, 1974

Correspondences regarding electrical works and fixtures. Catalogues and pamphlets.


Box 2 Folder 4 Electrical [Consultants], 1970-1973


Box 2 Folder 5 Fountains [Consultants], 1971-1973

Correspondences regarding Fountains' design, equipment and lightings


Box 2 Folder 6 Structural [Consultants], 1967-1972

Review of the structural design


Box 2 Folder 7 Acoustic [Consultants], 1967-1973

Including letters to and from Vern O. Knudsen


Box 2 Folder 8 Sound and Theater [Consultants], 1970-1971

Sound and Audio systems including correspondence with George Thomas Associates, Bose and Western Contract international


Box 2 Folder 9 Owner Correspondence I, 1965-1968

Includes Cabinet of Shams Pahlavi's invitation to the TAA and the order of Model


Box 2 Folder 10 Owner Correspondence II, 1969


Box 2 Folder 11 Owner Correspondence III, 1970-1973


Box 2 Folder 12 Owner Correspondence IV, 1973-1974


Box 2 Folder 13 Owner Correspondence V, 1974-1978


Box 2 Folder 14 Project Supervisor's Reports I, 1969-1971

Copy of the original in 1.8.7 but limited to the reports up to Dec. 71


Box 2 Folder 15 Project Supervisor's Reports II, 1969-1972

Original reports


Box 2 Item Binder Structural Calculations [Consultants], 1967

A binder containing structural calculations


Box 2 Item Notebook Construction Log Book Volume I, November 1969-August 1971

Daily activity on construction site


Box 2 Item Notebook Construction Log Book Volume II, September 1971-November 1973

Daily activity on construction site

CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS


Box 3 Folder 1 [Behsaznow] Behsaznow Construction Co. Ltd. I, 1969-1973

Correspondences/ Development reports and schedule/ Payment requests


Box 3 Folder 2 [Behsaznow] Behsaznow Construction Co. Ltd. II, 1970-1972

Payment requests


Box 3 Folder 3 [Behsaznow] Concrete Strength Test, 1970


Box 3 Folder 4 Skylight U-Factor Test [IBG], 1971


Box 3 Folder 5 Dome Cover Observation [IBG], 1977-1978

Log of observations of performance of air-inflated covers


Box 3 Folder 6 Subcontractors-Dome [IBG], 1968-1971

Correspondences with Ickes-Braun Glasshouses, the contractor for the dome


Box 3 Folder 7 Domes, Information [IBG], 1972-1973


Box 3 Folder 8 Dome Restoration [IBG], 1975

Material sample


Box 3 Folder 9 Decor-Cem, Colonna [Roof and Quartz], 1972-1974

Including Decor-Cem and The Thoro System: Standard Dry Wall Products, Inc.


Box 3 Folder 10 Sprafaom Southwest. Inc. [Roof and Quartz], 1976-1977

Sprayfoam Southwest company for roof restoration


Box 3 Folder 11 Urethane Foam [Roof and Quartz], 1971-1974

Thermal insulation and foam spraying


Box 3 Folder 12 Kitchen Equipment, 1969-1976

List of equipment, estimation, buyout and invoices for the kitchen


Box 3 Folder 13 Kitchen Addition, 1976-1977

Program and estimations


Box 3 Folder 14 Riedelglass Crystal works, 1970-1973

Crystal works specifically for chandeliers


Box 3 Folder 15 Mosaic Murals, 1971-1973

Marco Tullio Monticelli Studio mosaici artistici


Box 3 Folder 16 Marble- Musetti Raffo, 1969-1977

Musetti Raffo Marble Granite Travertine Slate


Box 3 Folder 17 Alum+Plastics- Adreani, 1971-1973


Box 3 Folder 18 Gold Leaf, 1973-1977


Box 3 Folder 19 Red Asphalt, 1972


Box 3 Folder 20 Model, 1967-1968

Includes the order for the model and the order for the model's photos, some B/W photos and some color slides

FURNISHING


Box 3 Folder 21 Western Contract International I, 1967-1970


Box 3 Folder 22 Western Contract International II, January-December 1971


Box 3 Folder 23 Western Contract International III, January 1971-December 1972

Includes some samples Gold Bullion Embroidery Scallop


Box 4 Folder 1 Western Contract International IV, January-June 1973

Includes some samples for rooms


Box 4 Folder 2 Western Contract International V, July-December 1973


Box 4 Folder 3 Western Contract International VI, June 1970-June 1972

additional/ Includes list of rooms with their furniture and prices


Box 4 Folder 4 Western Contract International VII, July 1972-December 1973

additional/ Includes some material samples attached to letters.


Box 4 Folder 5 Furnishing Lists and Contract Copies/ Project Supervisor's Copy (Casey), 1965-1972


Box 4 Folder 6 Furnishing Lists, Masters, ca. 1970s


Box 4 Folder 7 Berven Carpets, 1969-1974


Box 4 Folder 8 Ball Chair


Box 4 Folder 9 Theater Seats and Lodges, 1969-1972


Box 4 Folder 10 Lamps, Stands, Etc., 1972


Box 4 Folder 11 Shirley Wagner, 1972


Box 4 Folder 12 Linens and Crests, 1973

includes linen samples


Box 4 Folder 13 Dirilyte, 1971-1973


Box 4 Folder 14 Dental Equipment, 1971


Box 4 Folder 15 Shadow Hill Way Res. B.N. Ca., 1968

Costs and preparation of Shams Pahlavi resident in California


Box 4 Folder 16 Miscellaneous Suppliers, 1970-1977

PUBLICITY


Box 4 Folder 17 Publicity and Public Relations, 1972-1980


Box 4 Folder 18 Progressive Architecture Article, 1974-1978


Box 4 Folder 19 Bauen und Wohnen Article, 1976-1977

DESIGNS, GRAPHICS, AND PHOTOS


Box 4 Folder 20 Miscellaneous Supplementary Drawings, 1973-1975


Box 4 Folder 21 Banquet Hall Figures (Niches), 1974


Box 4 Folder 22 Costumes & Uniforms, 1971


Box 4 Folder 23 Outdoor Furniture Designs, 1971


Box 4 Folder 24 Graphics, Crests, Etc., 1972-1973


Box 4 Folder 25 Envelopes and Letter Headings Samples


Box 4 Folder 26 Christmas Cards, 1972-1974

Correspondences, design process and samples of final products


Box 4 Folder 27 Photos, undated

Interior and exterior of the palace, probably after 1973 in addition to some postal cards including one portraying Royal Family


Box 5 Folder 1 Damages Documentations, 1974

Coultrap photos of the damages incurred to the building and their negatives


Box 5 Folder 2 Table Designs by J.D Hill, ca. 1970s

SPECIFICATIONS


Box 5 Folder 3 Specifications, 1969


Box 5 Folder 4 Specifications; Repro Film, 1969


Box 5 Folder 5 Specifications Addendum, 1969


Box 5 Folder 6 Bill of Quantities: Work Sheets, 1969-1970


Box 5 Folder 7 Bill of Quantities: Printed, 1969-1970

ENVIRONS


Box 5 Folder 8 Gatehouse and Telephone Exchange Expansion, 1966-1977


Box 5 Folder 9 Library-Pergola, 1970-1973


Box 5 Folder 10 Villa Mehrdasht Furnishing and Fixtures, 1966-1975

Includes images of the mechanical plant building; Includes several brochures from Crane (supply Company) in which the selected fixtures and materials are indicated


Box 5 Folder 11 Dog Kennel, 1976-1977


Box 5 Folder 12 Lake and Fountains, 1972


Box 5 Folder 13 Conservatory, 1970-1972


Box 5 Folder 14 Dining Pavilion; Air Supported, 1970


Box 5 Folder 15 Landscaping, 1972-1974


Box 5 Folder 16 Site Information; Soil Investigation, 1967-1970


Box 5 Folder 17 power Generation Investigation, 1972

LITIGATION


Box 5 Folder 18 Litigation Documents I, 1979-1980

Includes Court briefs and attorney correspondences


Box 5 Folder 19 Litigation Documents II, 1979-1980

Casey's memo and the list of Peter's visits to Iran; includes copies of several contracts


Box 5 Folder 20 Litigation Documents III, 1970-1978

Copy of documents needed for exhibits/ a copy of these materials listed in 1.13.6


Box 5 Folder 21 Litigation Documents IV, 1968-1977


Box 5 Folder 22 Litigation; Mr. Peters Deposition, 1980


Box 5 Folder 23 Litigation; Mr. Casey Deposition, 1980


Box 6 Folder 1 Litigation; Deposition Exhibit List, 1965-1979

Sub-series 3: Photographs


Box 10 Folder 1 Aerial Photos [1 of 2], ca.1970s

Framed Aerial photo of the palace under construction


Box 10 Folder 2 Aerial Photos [2 of 2], ca.1970s

Framed Aerial photo of the palace under construction


Box 11 Folder 1 Model [1 of 2]

See also Box 3: Folder 20 for additional photographs of the model.


Box 11 Folder 2 Model [2 of 2]


Box 11 Folder 3 Polaroids


Box 11 Folder 4 Construction and other photographs


Box 11 Folder 5 Photographs of architectural drawings, people with drawings, and negatives


Box 11 Folder 6 Exteriors [1 of 3]


Box 11 Folder 7 Exteriors [2 of 3]


Box 12 Folder 1 Exteriors [3 of 3]


Box 12 Folder 2 Interiors [1 of 3]


Box 12 Folder 3 Interiors [2 of 3]


Box 12 Folder 4 Interiors [3 of 3]