About us

Mahya Salehi Studio creates engaging spaces for ambitious clients in the Bay Area and beyond. Led by Creative Director and Principal Mahya Salehi, AIA, the firm is a certified Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) and operates as a multi-disciplinary team of architects, interior designers, and visual artists.

The Studio’s projects range from single-family remodels to multi-family ground-up construction, as well as commercial and educational facilities. As a full-service design studio, Mahya Salehi Studio collaborates closely with clients and consultants to guide projects through every phase—scope analysis, design concepts and development, permitting, timelines, budgets, and construction coordination.

By implementing a holistic approach to spatial design, the team carefully plans and manages each project roadmap from start to finish, with no detail left unnoticed. Through this intimate design journey, functional and responsive spaces are conceived and enriched with sophisticated, personable interiors.

Mahya Salehi

Principal

Mahya is an architect and founder of Mahya Salehi Studio. She has over a decade of experience in architecture and interior design and has worked on various projects, including residential, commercial, hospitality, and educational facilities.
Mahya’s design philosophy is rooted in the belief that architecture should enhance the human experience and create a sense of harmony and balance with its environment. Her design approach combines functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability to create beautiful and practical spaces.
In addition to her practice, Mahya advocates for diversity and inclusion in the architecture and design industry. She is actively involved in mentoring and supporting emerging designers and architects.

Salar Tahrirchi

Job Captain & Jack of All Trades

Armed with a master’s degree in architecture from the esteemed Universität Kassel in Germany, Salar’s ardor for the field knows no bounds. As a virtual reality enthusiast and a dedicated researcher in the interstice of neurosciences and architecture, Salar’s insatiable curiosity led him to explore groundbreaking techniques to study the human brain in a built environment. His fascination with the workings of the human psyche serves as a beacon, illuminating his attention to detail, and his professional experience provides him with the know-how to execute each project with utmost care and precision.

Mahram Akhavan

Job Captain

Mahram discovered her fervor for architecture in her homeland of Iran. She holds a BA in Architecture from FUM. Driven by a deep-seated curiosity for different cultures, Mahram embarked on a two-year stint in Penang, Malaysia, and immersed herself in architectural studies at the renowned USM University. With a keen eye for creating spaces that inspire serenity and balance, Mahram has lent her expertise to various multi-family and single-family residential projects, as well as clinical design and prefabricated construction ventures. Besides her passion for architecture, Mahram indulges in various interests ranging from painting to exploring different destinations, from burying her nose in books to perfecting her French.

Kimiya Salehi

Architectural Designer

Kimiya’s formative years were spent amidst the rolling hills of Wales, but it was in Iran where she attained her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. Kimiya’s design and creative thinking show the profound influence of her culturally diverse background. Kimiya’s academic pursuits explored integrating behavioral patterns with architectural form to conceive high-quality spaces that stood the test of time. Kimiya also channels her artistic impulses into drawing, creating animation, and delving into the fascinating world of fashion design.

Asma Hazrat

Graphic Guru

Born in Dubai, Asma’s upbringing was steeped in a culture that prized diversity and inspiration in equal measure. Asma is currently completing her Master’s degree in Architecture at FUM. Asma’s professional interests are at the intersection of design and ecology, where a symbiotic relationship between context and design can engender a higher quality of space. Her passion for digital painting and graphic design is a testament to her creative prowess and her ability to translate her artistic impulses into a design for the built environment.

Robede Hazrat

Graphics Guru

Robede’s roots trace back to her Afghan heritage, which shaped her love for art and architecture. Her academic pursuits centered on the intricate relationship between humans and their surroundings, with an emphasis on crafting responsive spaces that foster interactivity. Robede’s creative talents extend beyond architecture, as she finds solace in drawing and exploring the fascinating realm of environmental psychology.

Banu

Chief Security Officer

Banu was adopted from Berkeley Humane in 2019. She was four months old and extremely cute. She has taken on the self-appointed role of providing endless cuddles and kisses, being VERY excited to see the team, and barking off any business that comes to the Studio. Banu spends her career napping next to Mahya’s desk. During her spare time, she loves to play fetch, swim in the Bay and indulge in peanut butter.