IN COVERSATION WITH MOEEN AFZALKHANI AND ZAHRA AZIZI

A practice rooted in artistic thinking, together with rational problem solving, Akaran (ɑːkarʌn) meaning boundless, never ending, non-peripheral, endless, infinite, originating from the Persian word “bikaran”, is an architectural practice with a rich narrative. For them, it is not a signature style that matters; it is rather the essence of the created space and the continuation of an intriguing spatial dialogue within an environmental, political, social and cultural context. They see architecture as an extension of life, of the everyday, the individual and a collective experience of space.

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Sumisha Gilotra, Editor, Architect and Interiors India, speaks to Architect Moeen Afzalkhani & Urban Designer Zahra Azizi, CEOs of Design firm Akaran, and the masterminds behind the award-winning project Bricks on the Move and many more curiously responsive buildings, about their design process and more...

SG: You refrain from having a signature design style and believe in creating buildings that are responsive to client needs. And yet, most of your buildings seem like they are meant to be there. How do you achieve this?

MA&ZA: Our architecture is lined with the appropriate engineering collaborative every step of the way to ensure articulate buildings which can easily be read and understood while maintaining its beauty and immaculate craftsmanship. We like our work to be moulded, through towards more beautiful buildings, more desirable and logical spaces for our clients and users, and ultimately for a better future of our cities.

Indeed. Let's rewind a bit. Tell me, how did you both meet and come together in this journey of creating spaces that have a spatial dialogue with the users?

We first met at the Bartlett school of Architecture in London. I had started my master’s course which was run by Neil Spiller at the time and Zahra had just finished her master’s in urban design. We would exchange articles related to the work I was doing. A couple of years later, we collaborated on a project in Iran and then we planned to start practising together. Aspiring to create curious and interesting yet highly functional spaces, Ákaran Architects was founded by us in 2010.