Iraj Kalantari Taleghani is a contemporary Iranian architect, noted for his contribution to the modernization of Iranian architecture. He was born in 1938 in Tehran, Iran. In 1964 he graduated with an MA in Architecture from the Faculty of Fine Arts in University of Tehran. He has also taught in the field of architecture at University of Tehran, Azad University, and the University of Science and Technology in Iran. In 1974 he founded Bavand Consultants, where he still holds the position of head of the board of directors. On September 26, 2005, Kalantari was chosen as Architect of the Year by the Society of Iranian Architects and Planners. Among his famous works are the Iranian Embassy and the Ambassador's Residence in Tbilisi, Georgia, Meigun Tourist Complex north of Tehran, Iran, and Sepid Kenar Hotel near port city of Anzali, Iran.