2025

Afshin Farzin (b. 1975, Shiraz) is an Iranian architect and urban designer based in Tehran. Graduated with an M.Arch from the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran (2001). Co-founded Tadj-Farzin Studio (2004) with Amin Tadj-Soleiman, which evolved into VAVStudio (2010). VAVStudio became the first Iranian group invited to the main exhibition of the Venice Architecture Biennale (2016, "Reporting from the Front" curated by Alejandro Aravena). Won 1st prize in the Tehran Stock Exchange HQ competition with Alejandro Aravena Architects and 1st prize (shared) in the Tehran-Tabriz Railway Tunnel urban corridor international competition (2019). Currently practices as Fourth Edition Architecture Group. Has published in Memar Magazine on competition culture and democracy in the design process.

Ameneh Bakhtiar is an Iranian architect and academic, holding a Ph.D. from Tarbiat Modares University and serving as Assistant Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at the Art University of Isfahan. Her residential project the Square House in Isfahan (2015–2017), whose geometry draws on the historic grid of the Hezarjrib Garden, won First Place at the 18th Memar Award (2018) in the Residential Buildings category and was shortlisted for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2019. She has co-authored several books on urban design theory including "Toward an Integrative Theory of Urban Design" (Springer, 2016) and "Urban Design in Seismic-Prone Regions" (Springer, 2022). She was recognised as a distinguished architect in 2019 by the Isfahan Construction Engineering Organization.

Ehsan Hosseini (b. 1981, Tehran) is an Iranian architect based in Isfahan. M.Arch from the University of Art (2007). Co-founded LP Office (Logical Process in Architectural Design) with Elham Geramizadeh Naeini in 2006. A multiple Memar Award winner: 1st Place for House in Jolfa District and Houses Between River & Stream (2021), 1st Place for Retiring Together (2024), and 2nd Place for Bidabad House (2010), Nadjvan Garden Residential Complex (2013), and Villa for Anna & Saeed (2015). Won 1st Prize at the 2A Asia Architecture Award for Mahoor Bazar (2016) and 2nd Prize at the 2A Europe Architecture Award for Berlin House (2017). Three-time Aga Khan Award for Architecture nominee. His work is characterized by contextual responses to Isfahan's historic urban fabric and climate.

Han Tumertekin (b. 1958, Istanbul) is a Turkish architect. B.Arch from Istanbul Technical University; M.Arch in historic preservation from the University of Istanbul. Founded Mimarlar ve Han Tumertekin in Istanbul (1986). Notable for adaptive reuse and material-driven design. Won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (2004) for B2 House in Ayvacik. Major works include SantralIstanbul Energy Museum (2007), SALT Beyoglu and SALT Galata (2011), Catalhoyuk Archaeological Museum (2018), the Maiden's Tower restoration (2021–2023), and Rami Library (2024). First Turkish architect invited to the Venice Architecture Biennale main exhibition (2021). Received the Mimar Sinan Grand Prize (2024). Teaching since 1992 at Istanbul Bilgi University (co-founder of graduate program), Harvard GSD, EPFL Lausanne, and Ecole Speciale d'Architecture Paris. Author of "Han Tumertekin: Recent Work" (Harvard University Press, 2006, edited by Hashim Sarkis). Also established Atelier Han Tumertekin in Strasbourg (2014).

Nasrine Seraji-Bozorgzad (b. 1957, Tehran) is an Iranian-French-British architect based in Paris. She studied medicine at Isfahan University before graduating from the Architectural Association (AA) in London (1983). Registered RIBA architect (1985), Fellow of RIBA (FRIBA, 2018). Founded Atelier Seraji Architectes & Associes (ASAA) in Paris (1990). Former Chair of Architecture at Cornell University (2001–2005), Dean at Ecole Nationale Superieure d'Architecture Paris-Malaquais, Professor and Head of Institute for Art and Architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, and Head of Architecture at the University of Hong Kong. Currently Full Professor of Architectural Design at University College Dublin. Her practice spans cultural, educational, and residential projects across Europe and the Middle East, including the Caverne du Dragon Pavilion (1998), Linzerstrasse Apartments in Vienna (2003), Lille School of Architecture extension (2006), and Les Ateliers Jourdan-Corentin-Issoire housing complex in Paris (2017). Recipient of the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur (2011), Officier de l'Ordre National du Merite (2016), and Silver Medal of the French Academy of Architecture (2008). Author of several books including "Logement, Matiere de Nos Villes" (2007) and co-editor of "From Crisis to Crisis" (2019).