Mohamad Hafez Aia

Mohamad Hafez, AIA, is a multifaceted architect, artist, and entrepreneur with extensive experience across various prestigious institutions and projects. Currently, Hafez serves as the Founder of Pistachio Cafe, located in Westville, specializing in specialty coffees and cold brews, while also holding roles as Interpreter in Residence and Artist in Residence at the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute. Hafez has contributed significantly to architecture as a Project Architect at Pickard Chilton, working on prominent projects like 609 Main at Texas and the BankMed Headquarters, among others. Additionally, Hafez is the Sculptor-Curator for UNPACKED: Refugee Baggage, an initiative aimed at humanizing the refugee experience through art. As the Founder of The Joud Foundation and an artist through Mohamad Hafez Art, the works reflect a blend of East and West, influenced by personal experiences and political contexts. Hafez obtained a Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University, with prior studies in Electrical Engineering at Northern Illinois University and Damascus University.