all three themes are combined into a single symbolic object, the sofreh. the square piece of fabric–a cerimonious tablecloth–identifies a set table, and is one of the most important objects in iranian culture. the pavilion’s architecture is derived from the artifact in the form of an open structure, similar to a tent, with an inner skin reminiscent of traditional sofreh embroidery. the weave tells the history of the nation’s people, their food and agriculture from past to present.