MELIKA MIRZAKHANI
Kirksey
SAY IT LOUD - TEXAS Exhibitor
Texas Based Designer
Who or what inspires you professionally?
Visiting great architecture inspires me. Moving through a well-designed space can often be a calming and spiritual experience. This interaction encourages me to help create that experience for others.
MELIKA MIRZAKHANI
Bio:
The great architect, Melika is a Senior Associate at Kirksey architecture, serving as a project architect on the collegiate team, responsible for executing and coordinating construction documents. She currently serves on the Texas Architecture Magazine Publication Committee, AIA Houston MGMC scholarship committee, and Young Professionals Committee for Rice Design Alliance.
How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
I grew up around construction, which persuaded me to enroll in an architectural course in high school. In that class, I gravitated to the effects architects like Samual Mockbee could have on a community.
What do you do?
I am a project architect, coordinating our design with consultants, creating drawings, and managing the construction administration process.
What excites you in the work you do?
The most exciting aspect of my job is to see the end result. We get to witness an idea that transforms from our screen to a tangible form hosting its users.
Who or what inspires you professionally?
Visiting great architecture inspires me. Moving through a well-designed space can often be a calming and spiritual experience. This interaction encourages me to help create that experience for others.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
Receiving the AIA associate member of the year
Featured Project Name:
San Jacinto Classroom Building
Featured Project Location:
Pasadena, Texas
Featured Project Completion Date:
12/02/2021
Role in Featured Project:
Project Architect
Featured Project Description:
The new San Jacinto Classroom Building is a new full mass timber building that showcases besides its structure. As the nation’s largest academic mass timber structure, it sequesters carbon instead of producing it. The wood itself is on display in all public areas educating what mass timber is. Other sustainable strategies include greywater treatment, photovoltaics, electrochromic glazing, and tubular daylighting, making it a high-performing building.
