Mehdi Taghavi
I bring over 21 years of international and U.S. experience in architecture, with a portfolio spanning Dubai, Oman, Iran, Iraq, Costa Rica, Canada, and the United States. My work covers the full spectrum of design and construction—from concept through documentation, project management, and on-site supervision.
Internationally, I have led high-profile commercial and residential developments, including office towers, mixed-use complexes, luxury villas, hotels, and royal residences. After relocating to San Diego, my focus shifted toward high-end coastal residential projects in La Jolla, followed by complex adaptive-reuse, wellness, and hospitality projects that emphasize cultural and environmental sensitivity.
Since 2017, I have taken on leadership roles in the U.S., serving as Project Manager at Tucker Sadler Architects on multi-million-dollar commercial and hospitality developments and currently as Studio Manager at Tawaw Architecture Collective, where I lead culturally grounded, community-driven projects for Indigenous clients across the U.S. and Canada.
I hold a Master of Architecture from NewSchool of Architecture & Design in San Diego, where I graduated top of my class, received the President’s Award, won multiple sustainable design competitions, and was honored with the AIA Henry Adams Medal of Excellence. I also hold an NCARB-accredited bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Ajman University, UAE.
To deepen my understanding of Indigenous design methodologies, I have completed professional certificates through Tawaw Architecture Collective, including Engagement for Indigenous Design, Place-Based Research, Role of Indigenous Knowledge in the Built Environment, and Engaging Landscape Architecture from an Indigenous Perspective.
Now licensure-eligible with over 12 years of NCARB-approved AXP hours, I am preparing for the ARE. My design philosophy centers on human-centered, sustainable, and culturally responsive architecture—blending international experience with local context to create spaces that inspire belonging, healing, and resilience.
An associate member of the AIA, I approach architecture as both an art and a social responsibility. With a keen eye for observing the human experience, I view design as a way to enhance how people work, play, and live. Throughout my career—from the building boom of the Arabian Gulf to community-driven projects in North America—I’ve embraced every challenge with curiosity and persistence. I never say “no”; instead, I research, learn, and find a way to make each vision possible.
Education & Awards
Mehdi earned his Masters of Architecture degree from New School of Architecture + Design in San Diego, where he graduated top of his class and was awarded the prestigious AIA Henry Adams Medal of Excellence.
At the age of 19, Mehdi earned the Iranian National Award for best freehand drawing, just before beginning his studies in Architectural Engineering at Ajman University in the United Arab Emirates in the department of science and technology. He began working for architecture firms in Dubai shortly after, and graduated with both his five-year bachelors of science degree and certificates in observation tower construction, sustainable design, and public landscape design.
