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Sima Shahverdi

Sima Shahverdi

San Francisco, CA, US

 
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About 

Recently, I founded Namooni LLC, a progressive design and construction firm, and obtained a California Contractor's license. Our portfolio includes new structure design projects within the South Bay area, interior renovations, and landscape enhancements in Sonoma wine country. Our responsibilities extend to construction detail development, management of the permit acquisition process, and seamless collaboration with both subcontractors and clients.

During my time at a design-technology start-up, AI Space Factory, I was part of a talented team developing the iconic NASA award winning Mars habitat, Marsha. In 2018, Marsha won Phase 1 of NASA’s 3D printed habitat challenge. Besides designing and modeling, I led the official multimedia submission to NASA and created the conceptual and visually captivating construction animation. In 2019, after successfully printing a 1:3 scale prototype of its primary structure, Marsha won Phase 2 and 3 of the challenge with the grand prize of $500,000. The team’s accomplishment was featured in The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and Youtube original series “The Age of AI”. Later, I led the design team for Tera, a terrestrial 3D printed habitat inspired by Marsha. Finally, I supported the marketing team in setting up a successful fundraising Indiegogo campaign for Tera’s upstate new york construction that raised more than $70,000. Tera was featured in The New York Times, Designboom, and CNBC.

In parallel to these contributions, I worked closely with the R&D team on developing other new products from scratch. The Internet of things (IoT) technology was a common theme among many of the products that I worked on. Later, a personal quest to make the connection between IoT technology and mobility led me to pursue an online specialization in IoT programming, where I learned about working with different sensors and interfacing with Arduino and Raspberry Pi.

During my time at New York based firms, wHY Architecture, I supported the design for a triple height gut renovation gallery in Tribeca. I got involved in design, construction documents and building permits.I have also been involved in design and presentation for award winning Edinburgh's Ross pavilion and Gardens competition.

During my time at Los Angeles, Kevin Daly Architects and Dennis Gibbens Architects, I participated in design development and production of Mo Ostin UCLA basketball center and multiple single family and apartment housing projects. My job included design, development, construction detailing, making presentations, model making, Interfacing with clients, and collaboration with other disciplines.

I completed my M.Arch.II at UCLA, Suprastudio program, under supervision of Greg Lynn where I was affiliated with Aerospace Boeing factory, Bot & Dolly Design Studio, IDEAS Robotics Lab at UCLA, and Cirque Du Soleil.I completed my M.Arch I at Tehran University, and Bachelor of Architecture at Art University of Tehran. 

Elsewhere:

Employment 

Namooni LLC, New York, NY, US, Founder

Founded Namooni LLC, a progressive design and construction firm, and obtained Contractor's license. Our portfolio includes new structure design projects, interior renovations, and landscape enhancements. Our responsibilities extends to construction detail development, management of the permit acquisition process, and seamless collaboration with both subcontractors and clients.

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. My job involved modelling the interior architecture, designing the façade, and creating a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. Tera was featured in The New York Times and Dwell, among others.
Supported design and presentation of Marsha, a technical design for a Mars habitat awarded 1st in the NASA 3D Printed Habitat Challenge and featured in The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and docuseries The Age of AI hosted by Robert Downey Jr., among others.

Oct 2017 - Feb 2020
 

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

Worked directly with project manager on award-winning gut renovation of triple-height R&Co Gallery in Tribeca neighborhood. My role consisted of developing construction details, making presentations, and interfacing with clients. I supported 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

While working in KDA, for each project, I was responsible for different phases such as conceptual design, design development, building simulation, site visits, and meeting with clients. In addition, I got more experienced in zoning, building codes, professional physical model making and photography, graphical presentation, quick and accurate 2D and 3D drawing, and façade parametric design and detailing. UCLA’s Mo Ostin Basketball Center which is now in construction phase, and Berkeley Global Campus (recognized in AIA and “LA next LA”) are among the projects that I collaborated in KDA.

Feb 2015 - Sep 2015
 

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

As an entry level I supported the construction development team and worked directly under supervision of 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