Significance of authenticity: learning from best practice of adaptive reuse in the industrial heritage of Iran

In recent years, adaptive reuse of industrial heritage has achieved great acceptance among developing countries, whereas it provides economic, cultural, and social benefits to urban communities. On the other hand, it is important to keep the cultural significance of an industrial heritage by identifying the condition in which it might meet authenticity after adaptive reuse. The main aim of this research is to introduce the industrial heritage of Iran and evaluate the criterions of authenticity among those conserved through adaptive reuse. To gain an understanding of the issue, a “historical-interpretation” research method relying on analytical-description techniques was adopted and interviews through questionnaires were conducted with a variety of architecture students and professors. The findings indicate that the concept of authenticity is considered significantly in adaptive reuse of the industrial heritage of Iran, while intervention is the most popular approach which creates a museum-like structure for the buildings.