Experience
Golnar Tajdar's professional experience spans architectural history, archival and collections management, and architectural and urban planning practice. Her work in Iran and the United Kingdom reflects a sustained engagement with architectural research, historical documentation and the preservation and interpretation of architectural heritage.
Professional Experience
November 2022 – present
Archivist – Photographic Collections
Architectural Association School of Architecture, London
Responsible for the management and development of the AA's historic and contemporary photographic collections, including archival documentation, cataloguing, digitisation and research access.
Her responsibilities include coordinating collection workflows, supervising and training student assistants, maintaining standards of archival description and supporting the use of archival materials in academic research, teaching and public engagement.
Her work also includes the arrangement and cataloguing of architectural and special collections, including the Keith Critchlow and Georgie Wolton collections, alongside the ongoing digitisation of the AA's historic lantern slides.
From 2006
Curator and Research Assistant (Voluntary)
Architecture of Changing Times in Iran Research Institute
Contributed to architectural historical research, archival documentation and the preparation of scholarly publications. Her work included reorganising and developing the institute's archive, digitising historical materials and conducting research using primary sources.
She also participated in research dissemination through publications and public presentations concerning architectural history and heritage in Iran.
2005 – 2020
Project Coordinator and Urban Planner
Architectural and Urban Planning Consultancies, Iran
Worked across architectural, urban design and regional planning projects in Iran, contributing to project coordination, planning studies and the development of architectural and urban proposals.
Selected projects
Restoration of Pakdasht Brick-making Furnaces
Tarh va Memari Consultancy Engineers · 2013–2019
Development of Kan Riverbank and Sand Deposits
Gozineh Consulting Engineers · 2009–2013
Structural-Strategic Plan of the Karaj–Shahriyar City Region
Bavand Consulting Engineers · 2007–2008
Urban Planning for Seven Industrial Towns
Tarh va Memari Consultancy Engineers · 2005–2007
Additional Archival & Museum Experience
January – June 2022
Digitisation Project Volunteer
Conway Library, The Courtauld, London
Contributed to preparations for the digitisation of architectural photographic collections, including the reordering and labelling of materials, photography and database transcription.
November 2021 – June 2022
World Architecture Unlocked Volunteer
The Courtauld, London (Remote)
Contributed to the transcription of architectural photographic collection records as part of the World Architecture Unlocked project.
February – June 2022
Visitor Assistant (Voluntary)
Sir John Soane's Museum, London
Supported visitor engagement, the interpretation of museum spaces and the safeguarding of collections.
Education
2020 – 2021
MA, History of Architecture
Birkbeck, University of London
MA, Urban and Regional Planning
University of Tehran