Architect Mohammad Hassan Forouzanfar has created a series of collages by using contemporary buildings on Iran's pre-Islamic castles and royal palaces which are listed at UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran. 

The series, titled as Expanding Iranian Ancient Architecture, create a strong tension between the past and the future showing how these places are intersected over modern buildings while the sites' preservation strategies remain uncertain.

Zaha Hadid Architects' Port House placed over Tepe Sialk, an ancient archaeological site in Kashan.

Forouzanfar's collages include Daniel Libeskind's Royal Ontario Museum in Canada, I M Pei's glass pyramid for the Louvre in Paris, Zaha Hadid Architects' Port House extension in Belgium, Foster + Partners' glazed Hangzhou Apple Store. 

Developed as part of the architect's previous series called Retrofuturism, the architect selected a few pre-Islamic castles across Persian towns and royal palaces in Fars, Sistan, Baluchistan, Khuzestan and Kashan provinces.

Foster + Partners' Hangzhou Apple Store placed over Takht-e-jamshid, Fars

In series, many building are placed into the castles which seem they are erecting from the castle and already seem a part of the historical artifacts, resulting in a perfect mixture of material, context, geometry and colour combination. 

With these images, it is aimed to start a new conversation on the preservation of the historic places in Iran. Forouzanfar wants to bring attention to Iranian heritage to show how it should be restored. 

I M Pei's Louvre Pyramid placed over Chaqazanbil, Khuzestan

Studio Libeskind's National Holocaust Museum placed over Rostam castle, Sistan and Baluchestan

Daniel Libeskind's Dresden Museum of Military History combined with Naqsh-e Rostam

Palace of ardashir, Fars

Shahr-e eukhteh, Zahedan

Izad-khast castle, Fars

Top image: Daniel Libeskind's Royal Ontario Museum are placed on the Rostam Castle, Sistan and Baluchestan.

All images © Mohammad Hassan Forouzanfar

> via Mohammad Hassan Forouzanfar