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.
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
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
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]