Foad Rafii
Encyclopedia
Foad Rafii M.Arch. Architect AAA, MAIBC, MRAIC (born March 8, 1947) is a Canadian architect
.
In 2001, The Vancouver Sun
in a headline article, named Foad Rafii as one of the 10 architects who shaped the Vancouver
of today.
(Old American College) in Tehran
, who received his master’s degree in architecture
with Distinction from the University of Tehran
, School of Architecture in 1972.
In 1976, he attended the University of Oslo
, and completed a course in “Urban and Regional Planning and Environment Protection”.
In 1987, he completed work on “Urban Waterfront Development” at the Harvard Graduate School of Design
.
While practicing in Tehran
, in addition to multiple residential projects, he worked on two major department stores and a few hospitals.
Foad moved to Vancouver
in 1979, and after working for an architectural firm for a couple of years, established his practice in 1983. The name of the practice was changed to Rafii Architects in 1985.
In more than a quarter century, Rafii Architects has designed numerous major projects in Vancouver, the rest of British Columbia
, Alberta
, and some projects abroad.
“The Greater Vancouver Book”, an urban encyclopedia- The year 1997- notes:
Iranian Architects like Foad Rafii, who designed the first buildings constructed on the North shore of False Creek after Expo 86 and the new mixed use Woodward’s building Downtown, have made and are continuing to make a significant impact on the changing face of Vancouver.
The Woodward's Building
project was abandoned later, as a result of the sale of the property from the province of British Columbia to the City of Vancouver.
In fall 2009 an article published in CANADIAN BUILDERS QUARTERLY, focused on “Vancouverism” quotes Foad Rafii as an Architect who shares a significant role in this movement.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
.
In 2001, The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun is a daily newspaper first published in the Canadian province of British Columbia on February 12, 1912. The paper is currently published by the Pacific Newspaper Group, a division of Postmedia Network. It is published six days a week, Monday to Saturday...
in a headline article, named Foad Rafii as one of the 10 architects who shaped the Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
of today.
Education
Foad is a graduate of Alborz High SchoolAlborz High School
Alborz High School , is a college preparatory high school located in the heart of Tehran, Iran. It is named after the Alborz mountain range north of Tehran.- History :...
(Old American College) in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, who received his master’s degree in architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
with Distinction from the University of Tehran
University of Tehran
The University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
, School of Architecture in 1972.
In 1976, he attended the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
, and completed a course in “Urban and Regional Planning and Environment Protection”.
In 1987, he completed work on “Urban Waterfront Development” at the Harvard Graduate School of Design
Harvard Graduate School of Design
The Harvard Graduate School of Design is a graduate school at Harvard University offering degrees in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning and Design.-History:...
.
Career
In 1973 together with some colleague friends he started the consulting firm ORBIS Institute for Environmental Design, Foad being the Managing Director.While practicing in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, in addition to multiple residential projects, he worked on two major department stores and a few hospitals.
Foad moved to Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
in 1979, and after working for an architectural firm for a couple of years, established his practice in 1983. The name of the practice was changed to Rafii Architects in 1985.
In more than a quarter century, Rafii Architects has designed numerous major projects in Vancouver, the rest of British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, and some projects abroad.
“The Greater Vancouver Book”, an urban encyclopedia- The year 1997- notes:
Iranian Architects like Foad Rafii, who designed the first buildings constructed on the North shore of False Creek after Expo 86 and the new mixed use Woodward’s building Downtown, have made and are continuing to make a significant impact on the changing face of Vancouver.
The Woodward's Building
Woodward's building
The Woodward's building was a historic building in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The original portion of the building was constructed in 1903 for the Woodward's Department Store when that area of Cordova Street was the heart of Vancouver's retail shopping district. ...
project was abandoned later, as a result of the sale of the property from the province of British Columbia to the City of Vancouver.
In fall 2009 an article published in CANADIAN BUILDERS QUARTERLY, focused on “Vancouverism” quotes Foad Rafii as an Architect who shares a significant role in this movement.
Award Winning Projects
- Texo, Distinguished Building Award - Spring (building)Spring (building)Spring is a 44 story residential condominium in Austin, Texas. Opening and completed in 2009, Spring stands over west Austin. The building was designed by Vancouver based Architect Foad Rafii. Architect of record is Morris Architects and Pentagram was graphic designer of the project...
Condominiums - Austin - Texas - 2010 - Georgie Award - Gold - For Best Multifamily High Rise – Donovan Residential Tower - Vancouver - 2009
- UDI Award - For Best Residential High Rise – Pomaria Tower - Vancouver - 2007
- CARE Gold Project of the Year Award - Coniston + Stonecroft Low Rise Residentials - Nanaimo – 2001
- Georgie Award - Gold - Best Multifamily Low Rise – 18 trees - Burnaby - 2000
- British Columbia Heritage Award – Camelia Residential Tower - North Vancouver - 1993
See also
- The Story of Woodward's BuildingWoodward's buildingThe Woodward's building was a historic building in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The original portion of the building was constructed in 1903 for the Woodward's Department Store when that area of Cordova Street was the heart of Vancouver's retail shopping district. ...
- City of Vancouver Website - http://vancouver.ca/bps/realestate/woodwards/story.htm - Spring (building)Spring (building)Spring is a 44 story residential condominium in Austin, Texas. Opening and completed in 2009, Spring stands over west Austin. The building was designed by Vancouver based Architect Foad Rafii. Architect of record is Morris Architects and Pentagram was graphic designer of the project...
Austin's First Point Tower - Spring's official Website - http://www.springaustin.com/tower/63.html - Wikipedia Article - List of tallest buildings in Austin