The standing building of the Islamic Parliament of Iran is located next to the building of the National Consultative Assembly at Baharestan Square. The 7th Islamic Parliament held its first session in the new building in 2004 when it was inaugurated. The idea for the establishment of a new building for the parliament was first raised in 1973-1974. The first design was presented by Parviz Moayed Ahd who had suggested a circular design with wind catchers similar to those found in the desert city of Yazd. This design, which was mainly reminiscent of the Safavid era architecture, remained in foundation stages and was halted.
In 1996, a new design was suggested by a consulting group owned by Ali Sardar Afkhami. The project was led by Abdorreza Zakaei and other contributors included Hassan Motaqi, Abbas Qarib, Masoud Qazi Zahedi, Masour Vakili, Darioush Firouzli, and Behrouz Ahmadi. The new building is a pyramid which indicates the three branches of Iranian government – executive, legislative, and judiciary.
The administrative section is located on the top of the building while parliamentary committees are housed throughout the pyramid from top to bottom.
The pyramid is 45 meters tall. The built-up area includes the main court for sessions, halls, Internet room, simultaneous translation booths, and electronic sections (25,000 square meters), administrative section (24,000 square meters), parliamentary committees (15,000 square meters), and underground parking space (12,500 square meters). Inside, the building has an interior design based on Iranian-Islamic architecture. The ceilings are covered with plaster and bear ornamented vaulting.
The geometric space of the hall from the top is divided into two parts standing on two crossing main columns creating stability. These two columns are positioned in the main presenting space. Besides giving an elevated and dignified image for members and visitors, this shaping also gives a good representation of the seat of the speaker and Presiding Board of the parliament. The seats are levied against the large and main walls of the hall. The center of the hall which has the highest length is oriented towards the ceremonial building.
Based on the statements of the project manager, Zokaei, the reason for choosing a pyramid shape was due to not blocking light to adjacent buildings and based on architectural concept. The parliament building is not a full pyramid as it lacks a center and equal sides. Furthermore, an instrumental factor in the formation of the parliament building was the harmony between the two northern and southern buildings so that the parliament could be in full harmony with adjoining areas.
The library and the museum of the Islamic Parliament, which are located nearby, hold manuscripts and printed works which have met the needs of many researchers.