Heirloom Tech: The Old-World Acoustics of Ali Qapu
The Music Hall of Ali Qapu’s unique architectural features cut down on echoes while diffusing music for fantastic low-tech acoustics.
iran
Heirloom Tech: Aineh-Kari Next-Level Mirror Mosaics
Aineh-kari is the Persian art of creating mirror mosaics. Learn how they’re made.
Heirloom Tech: The Math and Magic of Muqarnas
Muqarnas are complex 2D designs that are given volume to create awe-inspiring architectural details.
Heirloom Tech: The Ancient Pixels of Banna’i Brickwork
Banna’i is an architectural technique that combines brickwork with kufi calligraphy.
Needle-Felted Bobak Ferdowsi – “The Mohawk Guy”
Leticia Rocha-Zivadinovic of Cretur Fetur pays tribute to Bobak Ferdowski’s patriotic mohawk with a needle-felted model of him, and I think it’s sweet way to remember those moments the world shared, watching Curiosity land on Mars.
Back to the earth in Maymand Village
Maymand Village in the Kerman province of Iran has been carved out of the rock over the ages. The village has a population of 140, and was recognized by UNESCO in 2005.
The kinds of dwelling-place dug out of the mountains are not of a temporary nature but rather are permanent homes (having been lived in for the last 2000 or 3000 years). The pastoral type architecture (shepherd huts known as kapar or gambeh, and barns or sheepfolds) can be seen here and there about the landscape and is part of the built heritage.
Maymand bears some similarities to Derinkuyu in Turkey.
Rug Weavers of Kerman, Iran
I recently visited the ancient city of Kerman, Iran (founded in the 3rd century, A.D.). The hand-woven carpets of Kerman are renowned worldwide, and I had the good fortune of visiting one of the rug-weaving factories. The workspace was filled with giant looms and this one was manned by a husband and wife weaving team. […]
