Ahmad Lari House: Origins
The rediscovery of the historic Ahmad Lari House, after over a century of abandonment, was the driving force that led to a series of events resulting in the creation of the Lari House Foundation for Art & Architecture.
It all started in 2017 when some of the 44 grandchildren of Ahmad Lari found old property deeds in their family dossiers. An expedition team was formed, and it managed to locate the property after talking to countless residents of the Fahadan District in Yazd.
Years of neglect had left the residence in a state of disrepair, with some parts in imminent danger of collapse. Some family members, with the help of local experts in Yazd, undertook initiatives to clarify all the paperwork, reconnect the utilities, and begin the emergency renovation procedure with a team of 20+ workers.
In July of 2019, the Lari House Foundation for Art & Architecture was registered in Yazd. The Foundation's mission is to restore its landmark architectural heritage in a way that marries traditional and contemporary design, creating a center for art and architecture. This center would be the first of its kind in Yazd, with its ultimate purpose being to empower local artisans and young artists and architects to develop their craft to its fullest and to preserve the rich history of craftsmanship in Yazd.
The journey has just begun…
Our Mission
Short Term
To restore and rehabilitate the foundation’s historic headquarters and bring back life and purpose to the premises.
To inscribe the property as a national landmark to ensure its future protection.
To establish a non-profit center for art and architecture.
Long Term
To help revive and sustain local traditional crafts and know-how.
To organize creative seminars, talks, conferences, exhibitions, debates, workshops, and classes.
To empower young professionals and graduates—artists, architects, etc.—at the beginning of their careers.
To gather renowned and upcoming artists and architects from around the world and promote multilateral dialogue on a local, national, and international level.
Our Vision
To become a reference for responsible restoration with a high emphasis on aesthetics and contemporary adaptability of historical spaces.
To introduce Yazd as a model for the sustainable city of the future.
To inspire artists, designers, and architects with the aim of making the world a better place.