By: Reza Taeb
Mitra Ghorbani was born in 1981 in Tehran and has a degree in architecture. In addition to her professional work, Ms. Ghorbani is the Vice President of the Board of Directors of several charities. She is also a pioneer in the art of architecture with 15 years of experience in the field.
Please explain about your training courses including details of the subject matter.
This year, I decided to start an interior design training program comprising two phases. The first phase focuses on designing unique residential areas and spaces entailing lighting, colour theory and layout. The following phase encompasses software training such as Photoshop, AutoCAD and 3D modelling. This was incorporated into the course on the grounds that college graduates are not sufficiently trained, which lowers the concept output quality. Certificates provided to the participants are issued by an Oman-based international firm.
What construction operations and architecture projects are you working on at present?
I’m currently building a luxury villa complex in Rasht, and I’m in charge of both the design and construction stages of a project in Kamranieh neighbourhood in Tehran. My interior design projects include Homa building and a fitness centre on Fereshteh street in Tehran, as well as two projects in Oman, covering remodelling and renovation.
To what extent do domestic building and construction trade fairs meet global standards?
Iran’s stone industry, for both interior and exterior applications, has world-class quality. So do the design, structure, and automation sectors. However, the quality is well below global standards in plumbing fixtures.
How have currency fluctuations impacted real estate and interior design with regards to the proportion of construction and renovation projects?
The outbreak of Covid-19 and the fall in the country’s currency have translated into a move towards renovations. Construction projects have been suspended, pending a decrease in prices.
Many Iranians have relocated to neighbouring countries in recent years. Has this brought you more business? Do Iranian expatriates prefer to work with Iranian designers over locals? Have you had any international projects?
Yes. Iranian designers and builders have expanded their operations to Turkey, Oman, and Dubai. While the builder’s referrals and the quality of their work are the key factors in both domestic and international projects, foreigners favour Iranian builders and designers due to their lower prices. I have completed projects in Austria, Turkey, Dubai, and Oman.
What other activities do you pursue outside of work?
I have long been engaged in charity work, which I recently extended to include boys in addition to girls. I help children with autism and intellectual disabilities and those without caregivers, besides building schools and supplying water in disadvantaged areas such as Sistan and Baluchestan Province.