Archinect
Sima Shahverdi

Sima Shahverdi

San Francisco, CA, US

 
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About 

As an architectural designer, maker, and technologist, my aim is to make scalable and innovative connections across these domains. I have dedicated my career to integrating these fields, continuously expanding my expertise.

Recently, I founded an LLC, obtained a contractor's license, and renovated a short-term rental property that now generates passive income. Currently, I am a Process Specialist at Kreysler & Associates, a leader in advanced composite materials and innovative fabrication techniques. I joined the company with a specific request to work directly on the shop floor to understand the core processes of manufacturing. This hands-on experience alongside fabricators has raised my knowledge of tools and methods. In this role, I have managed fabricators on projects, authored standard operating procedures, collaborated with a chemist on prototypes, and worked directly with the Vice President on RFP proposals for design-built projects. Currently we are remaking the apple park rainbow stage. This position has provided me with unique learning opportunities, enhancing my skills in a way no previous job has.

During my time at the design-technology startup AI SpaceFactory, I was part of a talented team that developed the NASA award-winning Mars habitat, Marsha. In 2018, our project won Phase 1 of NASA’s 3D Printed Habitat Challenge. My responsibilities included designing, modeling, and leading the creation of the official multimedia submission to NASA. In 2019, after successfully printing a 1:3 scale prototype of its primary structure, Marsha won Phase 2 and 3 of the challenge, awarded the grand prize of $500,000. Our team's achievement was highlighted in publications like The Wall Street Journal, CNN and YouTube’s original series “The Age of AI”. Later, I led the design team for Tera, a terrestrial 3D printed habitat inspired by Marsha. I also supported our marketing team in organizing a successful fundraising campaign on Indiegogo for Tera’s construction in upstate New York, which raised over $70,000. Tera has been featured in The New York Times, Designboom, and CNBC. Concurrently, I collaborated with the R&D team to develop new products, integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

I have worked as an architectural designer at wHY Architecture in New York, Kevin Daly Architects, and Dennis Gibbens Architects in Los Angeles. I was involved in schematic design, design development, construction documents, and partially in construction administration at all of these companies. The R&Co Gallery, a triple-height renovation project in Tribeca, New York, was an end-to-end project where I was greatly engaged in every phase, including MEP coordination during the construction documentation phase. My responsibilities also included participating in competitions and RFP proposals, creating presentations, and interacting with clients. Notable projects include the award-winning Edinburgh's Ross Pavilion competition and the Mo Ostin UCLA basketball center.

I completed my M.Arch.II at UCLA’s Suprastudio program under the guidance of Greg Lynn, engaging with partners like Aerospace Boeing, Bot & Dolly Design Studio, IDEAS Robotics Lab at UCLA, and Cirque Du Soleil.

Elsewhere:

Employment 

Kreysler & Associates, Vallejo, CA, US, Process Specialist

Collaborated closely with chemists and fabricators to develop innovative manufacturing processes for creating art pieces, architectural elements, and unique industrial applications using advanced composite materials and prototypes. Currently remaking the rainbow stage of Apple Park.

Jan 2024 - current
 

Namooni LLC, New York, NY, US, Founder

Founded Namooni LLC, a design-build company. Involved in a homeowner-builder project in Sonoma County by acquiring a property and developing landscape and interior design. The property has been utilized for short-term rentals on Airbnb for 3 years.

Feb 2021 - current
 

AI Spacefactory, New York, NY, US, Lead Designer

Led the design of Tera, a 3D printed home based on the company’s NASA-awarded Mars habitat Marsha. Responsibilities included modeling interior architecture, designing the façade, and launching a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. Tera was featured in The New York Times and Dwell, among others. Supported the design and presentation of Marsha, a technical design for a Mars habitat awarded 1st place in the NASA 3D Printed Habitat Challenge and featured in The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and the docuseries The Age of AI hosted by Robert Downey Jr.

Oct 2017 - Feb 2020
 

WHY Architecture, New York, NY, US, Architectural Designer

Worked directly with the project manager on the award-winning gut renovation of the triple-height R&Co Gallery in the Tribeca, New York. Responsibilities included SD,DD,CD and construction adminstration. Supported the design, development, and presentation of the award-winning ROSS Pavilion and Gardens.

Sep 2016 - Oct 2017
 

Kevin Daly Architects, Los Angeles, CA, US, Architectural Designer

Worked directly under the project manager on the award-winning MO Ostin basketball center at UCLA. Responsibilities included design development by 3D modeling, physical modeling, and photography.

Feb 2015 - Sep 2015
 

Dennis Gibbens Architects, Los Angeles, CA, US, Architectural Designer

Supported the construction development team as an entry-level architectural designer, working directly under the supervision of the project manager.

Sep 2014 - Jan 2015
 

Education 

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, US, MArch, M.Arch II - suprastudio

Aug 2013 - Jun 2014
 

University of Tehran (UT), Tehran, IR, MArch, M.Arch I

Sep 2010 - Sep 2012
 

Art University of Tehran, Tehran, IR, BArch, B.Arch

Sep 2004 - Sep 2009
 

Awards 

ROBO Medium, Other

2021
 

New York Times, Honorable Mention

2018
 

The Wall Street Journal, Honorable Mention

2018
 

CNN, Honorable Mention

2018
 

YouTube Originals, Honorable Mention

2018
 

D3 Natural System, 3rd Place

2013
 

Areas of Specialization