Institute
Afshin Koupaei
Univ.-Ass. MArch
Afshin is a licensed architect and construction supervisor based in Vienna, Austria and Isfahan, Iran. He received his bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Azad University (Isfahan, Iran) in 2008 and, completed his master’s degree in architecture at the University of Applied Arts Vienna (die Angewandte, Studio KAZUYO SEJIMA) in 2019. From 2002 to 2005 and prior to studying architecture, Afshin practiced as a programming and software development expert and instructor where he utilized his self-learnt knowledge of MS C#/VB and, shared his advanced experience in this field with university students in computer science.
He has worked as a designer, architect, construction supervisor, and project manager in architecture and urban design firms in Iran. from 2005 to 2012, Afshin was in charge of projects of various scales; from small and large housing projects, hotel buildings, office buildings, industrial sites, to re-planning of worn-out urban districts. He also collaborated in the design of projects in UK (London), Oman (Muscat) and Greece (Crete). In 2008, he won the “Best Renovation Project” (Fara-Tahghigh office together with AMORDAD Design Group) at MEMAR AWARDS (Iran National Architecture Award).
In 2012, Afshin founded GOZAAR STUDIO/LAB (Isfahan/Iran) where he began to experiment with incorporating his computer programming proficiency and background in architectural projects. Along with design and accomplishment of several architectural projects, Gozaar Studio elaborated on its empirical approach in the form of multiple academic workshops and experimental pavilions. In 2014/15 academic year, Afshin instructed a course titled Digital Processes in Design and Fabrication as a joint lecture at the Azad University/West-Tehran. In 2017 and 2018, he worked as a researcher at the EVA Research project (Evaluierung Visionärer Architekturkonzepte) and was university assistant at University of Applied Arts Vienna as a member of DDPLAB (Digital Design and Production Lab) /Institute of Architecture, in 2019.
Afshin is focused on re-establishing geographically contextual design methods and fabrication technologies. His vision is to employ traditionally common design and construction techniques (mostly vernacular techniques) to reinvent contemporary design and fabrication typologies.