ABOUT “… Studio”

A “… Studio” matches the needs of the time and place to be an environmental design studio, an engineering/architecture studio, a building performance analysis studio, an interior design studio, an urban design studio, a historic preservation studio, a sustainable design studio, a construction research studio, a deign/research studio […] or above all, a trans-disciplinary studio to correspondingly contribute to the field of design and research. “… Studio” is a virtual design studio introducing Mehdi Azizkhani’s interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary vision towards architecture, urban design, and design research.

Inspired by his professional and academic backgrounds, skills, and thoughts, Mehdi tries to be at the point of connection, collaboration, and transformation among environmental design, engineering, construction, technology, and social disciplines. He believes that an all-inclusive, productive research and design process will begin at this point to reach creative, innovative, sustainable and responsive solutions/products.

Honors And Awards

2019: Ranked 2nd in Texas A&M Vision 2030 Competition (with M. Azimi &H. Pesarakli)

2018: Recipient of the IBPSA-ASHRAE 2018 Conference Scholarship Award, IBPSA, Department of Energy

2018: Joe Max Powell ’69 Scholarship, Texas A&M University

2017-2018: Recipient of Texas A&M University Dissertation Fellowship Award

2017: Aggie Green Fund Grant, Texas A&M Sustainability Office

2017: Ranked 2nd in 2017 Clean Air through Technology and Energy Efficiency Conference (CATEE) in Poster Competition, Dallas, Texas

2017: John J. Luther Scholarship, Texas Architectural Foundation

2016: Ranked 2nd in 2016 Clean Air through Technology and Energy Efficiency Conference (CATEE) in Poster Competition, San Antonio, Texas

2016: Recipient of the SAH Conference Fellowship Award, 69th Annual International Conference, Pasadena, CA

2015: Award for the paper “Biomimicry vs Machinery: the notion of functionality in design” Architectural Science Association 49th International Conference, Melbourne, Australia

Fall 2015 -Spring 2016: Edward J. Romieniec Graduate Traveling Fellowship for Research on the Evolution of Dougong Construction System in Chinese Architecture from the Past until the Present, Texas A&M University

Fall 2015-Spring 2016: Gracie J. and Paul M. Terrill, Jr. ’57 Scholarship, Texas A&M University

Fall 2014-Spring 2015: Norman and Renee Zelman Scholarship, Texas A&M University

Fall 2013: Travel Scholarship for Thesis Research, University of Texas at Austin

Spring 2013: Joy & Morin Scott/Sally & John Byram Graduate Fellowships, University of Texas at Austin

Spring 2012: Graduate Fellowship Award, University of Texas at Austin

2011: Winner of the Competition for the Design of Monumental Entrance Gate of Isfahan University of Technology (Received gold coin awards; construction completed in 2014) 

2007: First Rank National Award (with S. Mohammadi) in Naqsh-i-Jahan Urban Design Competition with the project Urban Design in the Historic Context of Jamaleh District in Isfahan in Architecture and Urban Design Naqsh-i-Jahan Congress, Iran Department of Housing and Urban Development

2007: Selected Work for Honorary Mention in Naqsh-i-Jahan Architecture Competition with Baagh-Daryache Residential Complex Project in Architecture and Urban Design Naqsh-i-Jahan Congress, Iran Department of Housing and Urban Development

2007: Selected Work in the Urban Landscape Design Competition in Iran for Navab Highway, Tehran

2006: Second Rank in the design competition of ImamHussein Square in Iran, Yasooj

2005: First Rank in the Nationwide Entrance Exam in Iran for the Master of Urban Design among 1300 applicants

2005: Ranked 12th in the Nationwide Entrance Exam in Iran for the Master of Architecture among more than 2500 applicants

2003: Certificate of Appreciation for the design of Isfahan’s deteriorated areas from the American University of Sharjah and M3 ar. Consulting Architects, Dubai, UAE 

1998: Selected Work in Iran’s Nationwide Art Competition, Oil Painting, Shahrekord

1995: Third Rank in Iran’s Nationwide Art Competition in Oil Painting, Meshed

Mehdi is a licensed architect abroad with about 20 years of professional and academic practice . His research interests mainly address building systems/technology, sustainable design and construction, nature-based architecture, and historic preservation with a focus on passive and active systems to promote well-being and energy saving in buildings. He has received several awards/grants for his contributions to research projects, design competitions, and national/intentional conferences. In addition to his PhD in Architecture from Texas A&M University, Mehdi holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture, a Master's degree in Urban Design, and a Master of Science degree in Preservation. He also holds a sustainability certificate (portfolio program) from the University of Texas at Austin and a healthcare certificate from Texas A&M University.