Atousa Shafizadeh

“In Iran, architecture is all about the environment. The climate and the context define what you design. This is something that comes very naturally to me, using passive strategies and local materials to create buildings that respond to their environments.”

For Atousa, the best designs are those driven by a project’s inherent constraints—and the more constraints, the greater the opportunity there is for creativity. Having lived in a diversity of environments and climates—from Iran to Arizona and the Bay Area—she brings an intuitive focus on context, location, and purpose to her work. Her background in structural engineering allows her to develop compelling designs with the technical rigor needed for successful implementation.

Atousa is active in the local design community and regularly engages in industry philanthropic efforts, such as Scene Local, Chairity, Petchitecture, and Heartfelt. She is also passionate about mentoring young women designers to help them learn about the profession, grow their careers, and build a network with other professional women. Atousa is a member of STUDIOS’ West Coast Practice Committee and leads STUDIOSalon, a recurring gathering for discourse about design. She joined the firm in 2016.