Nakisa Dehpanah

Architectural Designer | Product Thinker | Spatial Storyteller

🔹 Profile

Architectural designer with 8+ years of experience designing public schools, cultural institutions, and wellness environments. I integrate architecture, AI tools, and user-centered research to create spatial systems that are thoughtful, adaptable, and rooted in care. My interdisciplinary work spans digital product design, immersive art installations, and startup ventures. I bring a systems mindset, poetic clarity, and hands-on leadership from concept through execution.

🔹 Professional Experience

Co-Founder & Designer
Majnoon Cocktail Bar – Seattle, WA
Jan 2024 – Present

  • Designed and built a high-concept bar from scratch, including layout, permitting, and experience design.

  • Led interior architecture, brand integration, and collaboration with muralists and artists.

  • Navigated occupancy codes, ADA, and health/fire compliance in coordination with consultants.

Independent Researcher & Interdisciplinary Designer
Seattle, WA & Santa Fe, NM
Feb 2023 – Jan 2024

  • Founded Zeevar, an AI-powered custom jewelry design platform integrating generative tools and personalization logic.

  • Worked at Nuart Gallery as designer and advisor, co-creating spatial exhibitions and curating artist experiences.

  • Developed sculptural installations and performance work exploring land, body, and diaspora.

Architectural Designer III
Perkins & Will – Seattle, WA
Feb 2022 – Oct 2023

  • Managed construction administration for multiple institutional projects simultaneously.

  • Co-led the design and fabrication of an award-winning IIDA Product Runway garment.

  • Contributed to fast-paced design delivery using Agile workflows and BIM tools.

Design Professional
NAC Architecture – Seattle, WA
Oct 2018 – Dec 2022

  • Contributed to 17 civic and public-sector projects including K–12 schools, healthcare, and justice initiatives.

  • Led schematic design for major projects like Bethel High School and Orting Elementary School, integrating biophilic and flexible design principles.

  • Conducted user and GIS-based research for the Restorative Justice Village in LA with Gehry Partners.

  • Produced design packages, diagrams, and 3D visualizations in Revit, Rhino, and Adobe Suite.

🔹 Education

Master of Architecture
Iowa State University · 2016 – 2018

Master of Design in Sustainable Environments
Iowa State University · 2016 – 2018

B.Sc. in Architectural Engineering
Shahid Beheshti University (Tehran, Iran) · 2010 – 2015

🔹 Certifications

  • NCARB IDP Completed (2023)

  • LEED Green Associate (2021)

  • Google UX Design Certificate (2021)

  • Google ARCore: Intro to Augmented Reality (2024)

🔹 Skills

Design & Modeling: Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, SketchUp, Enscape, AutoCAD, 3Ds Max, Adobe CC
UX & Prototyping: Figma, Framer, Principle, HTML/CSS (basic), AI-integrated workflows
Sustainability Tools: Ladybug, Sefaira, Cove Tools, Autodesk Flow
Fabrication & Media: 3D printing, laser cutting, sewing, motion design, spatial storytelling

🔹 Selected Research & Exhibitions

  • Restorative Justice Village, LA – User research & spatial strategy (2021)

  • Rebel, Solo Performance & Installation – Edmonds College Gallery (2023)

  • Evolving Aesthetics of Interruption, Group Show – Vancouver, B.C. (2024)

  • Artists of Color Expo, Jacob Lawrence Gallery – Seattle (2022)

  • IIDA Product Runway "Show Stopper" Award – Seattle (2023)