Avideh Haghighi, AIA, LFA, LEED –  Architect & Sustainability Specialist, ZGF & Collaborative Facilitator, International Living Future Institute

As part of the AIA|LA Citizen Architect initiative, we are profiling architects that are currently engaged in civic affairs by serving on Boards, Commissions, Neighborhood Councils  or who work for public agencies.

IMAGE CREDITS:  Avideh Haghighi, AIA

What inspired you to become an architect and what were some of the formative memories that continue to shape your design philosophy?

In many ways, I didn’t find architecture, architecture found me. Growing up in a third world country overburdened with systemic oppression, I didn’t know what/who I wanted to become and what impact I wanted to have in this world. I felt there were many things wrong with the world and as I grew up, immigrated to the states and continued my education, I realized that the social, economic and physical structures in our world were all created by human beings at various points in time. Every institution, corporation and financial system was put in place by humans. Every element of our physical urban environment – from our streets and infrastructure to our parks and our buildings was created by humans. The most empowering moment for me was to realize that just like those other people, I too could create the world around me. Things don’t have to be the way they are and rules are not set in stone. I was ecstatic to get to use my creativity as a tool to shape the physical world around me and make it more like what I wished for it to be.

What motivates and fascinates you the most (or challenges you the most) about your current role?

The reason I get out of bed every day is to create the world I want to live in. I’m not so much a dreamer as I’m a believer and a do-er. In order to transform our built environment, I wear many hats: I’m an architect, and advocate, an ambassador and facilitator. I’m constantly challenged in each of these roles, and each is an opportunity for me to engage a different medium to create change. The most rewarding part of my role as a facilitator of the Living Future Los Angeles collaborative has been the opportunity to bring a diverse group of professionals together, united towards a common vision for a regenerative built environment. Through continuous outreach and education, we have been advocating for our vision of a thriving Los Angeles bio-region that is socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative. We’ve served as a hub for connecting innovative, knowledgeable and diverse thinkers with the tool, resources, and inspiration to create transformative change. I am continuously inspired by the collective passion, energy and expertise that everyone brings to the collaborative.

As you’ve become more civically engaged, what insight can you share on how architects can become both better listeners and stronger leaders?

We can become better listeners by getting out of our own heads. We can become stronger leaders by fostering curiosity and building consensus around a cause. All of which I’m constantly practicing. Serving as a facilitator for the Living Future Los Angeles collaborative gets me out of my head and engaged with others who are just as passionate and eager to challenge the status quo. Things that seemed out of reach just a decade ago are now normalized (ie: Net Zero Energy buildings) – it’s in our purview to pose questions and challenge common perceptions. There is so many opportunities out there for architects to speak up, take a stance, and make a difference.

In the year 2019, what do you recognize to be amongst our most pressing needs?

I see growing polarities – both political and social. If there ever was a pressing need for us to slow down and listen to each other, it would be now. I see an urgent need to create policy that addresses climate change and social justice in one sweep. LA’s Green New Deal recently put forth by Mayor Garcetti is full of promise. We need mass adoption of carbon neutrality across all political, economic and social sectors.

And what do you anticipate will be our most pressing needs in 2029?

In the year 2059? Hopefully by then we’ve had a collective awakening on our impact on the planet and have made the right decisions to preserve humanity (either that, or we’re all occupying Mars!).

What’s your favorite city/building/park/plaza/place and why?

My favorite place is on the water; in the forest; under the sun. I love the diversity of LA’s landscape and take advantage of it as much as I can. I recently visited Arizona State University’s Environment and Natural Resources 2 (ENR2) building – it is truly a building that belongs to all living beings, including humans; it was amazing to experience a building that hosts such biodiversity. When every building is designed to invigorate our senses and enhance our experience of the world around us (perhaps even make us healthier and happier) that’s when we know we’ve transformed the built environment.

What your favorite way to spend the weekend? (What do you do for fun? Favorite book? Podcast? Museum?)

I love lazy Sundays where I get to lounge around at home, catchup on reading (currently reading ‘Sapiens: A Brief History of the Humankind’), try a new recipe, and tend to my plants. Oh, and I’ve been captivated by Netflix’s Our Planet series.

Avideh Haghighi, AIA, LFA, LEED –  Architect & Sustainability Specialist, ZGF & Collaborative Facilitator, International Living Future Initiative

Avideh is a licensed architect specializing in sustainable design, with experience on a variety of projects from schools to mixed use/multi-family residential and institutional buildings.  She is personally and professionally invested in creating an environmentally sustainable and socially equitable future through an understanding of buildings as a part of a dynamic socio-ecological system.  A big-picture thinker at heart, she thrives on guiding design teams to discover synergies between building, social and ecological processes.  Avideh’s career has been equally rooted in design and advocacy. She has been serving as a facilitator and steering committee member of the Living Future Los Angeles Collaborative for the past three years. She has given numerous presentations at schools, universities and industry conferences on the topics of Living Buildings, Circular Economy and Healthy Materials. As an AIA|LA COTE member she served on the planning committee for the inaugural 2 Degrees Celsius Symposium on Climate Change.