Earth Day 2024

MIIM Designs has always been about ideas, and creating culture and community through those creative ideas. Each one of the built spaces and landscapes that we are trusted with, we use our creative tools to design and build a community to forge connections. This is always started by understanding the history of the land and the people who have fostered it. 

Since the inception of MIIM Designs we’ve had the opportunity and the joy of collaborating with many partners - each one of our creative projects and collaborations have focused on inspiring people to create culture, design communities and bring everyone together through the notion of these creative spaces. 

Most recently, MIIM Designs partnered with Material and Application (a Los Angeles based non-profit project space for critical and experimental architecture) and with Look Out FM (southern California’s home for radio art on a creative reading), under the theme of SONIC DUST, on one of Maryam’s reflections while working on a project in collaboration the Nature’s Conservancy in California. In honor of Earth’s Day, you can listen to Maryam read her reflection, “The Celestial Dust of the Chumash at Point Conception”, HERE.  

California Senate Bill 4 and 423 To Proceed

MIIM Designs has been collaborating with many policymakers, lawmakers and senators on the issue of lack of affordable housing, which has long been a problem for middle and low-income households. The primary goal over the last 7 years has been that California can, and should, look to innovative programs across the country for models to inform future policy efforts to address the state’s housing challenges. Using examples and case studies from religious institutions of the Middle East, Asia, and parts of Europe, the SB 4 and SB423 will allow for religious institutions and nonprofit colleges in California to turn their parking lots and other properties into low-income housing. Churches and colleges often face big hurdles trying to convert their surplus land and underutilized parking lots into housing because their land is not zoned for residential use. Proponents said the new law will serve as another tool to help build much-needed housing in the state. A recent study by the University of California, Berkeley, Terner Center for Housing Innovation estimated California religious and higher education campuses have more than 170,000 acres (68,797 hectares) of land that would be eligible under the bill.

The law, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom rezones land owned by nonprofit colleges and religious institutions, such as churches, mosques, and synagogues, to allow for affordable housing. Starting in 2024, they can bypass most local permitting and environmental review rules that can be costly and lengthy. The law is set to sunset in 2036.

More Information HERE
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

WE'RE HIRING!

MIIM Designs llc is currently seeking talented designers with strong research and design skills to join our studio. If you would like to be considered for the current or future positions, please send a cover letter, resume, a portfolio, and a list of 3 references with contact information as one pdf file (max. 20mb) to Studio [at] miimdesigns [dot] com. Any collaborative or professional works should clearly note the role of the applicant, and the cover letter should clearly indicate your eligibility to work in the U.S. and the ideal start time of work.

Applicants must have the following qualifications to be considered for the position:
• Computer expertise in Revit, AutoCAD, and Rhino3d
• Strong design and graphic skills
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks, collaborate on teams and work well under deadlines
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills

We are currently looking to fill following openings:

1/ Part to Full Time Short Term Position (Must be available to start immediately to work until May 30, 2023 or longer, exhibition installation design and coordination) - Please indicate in subject line of the application “23ST Application [Your Name]”.

2/ Full Time Entry Level Designer - Please indicate “23S application_Your Name” in the subject line of the application.   
Part Time Entry Level Designer - Please indicate “23S-part application_Your Name” in the subject line of the application. Please describe any restrictions in the cover letter.

3/ Intern (paid) - Please indicate “23S-intern application_Your Name” in the subject line of the application.

MIIM Designs + CDM of San Jose Awarded Grant from IMLS

The New Day Initiative (NDI) is a planning grant proposal to lay the groundwork for the “Nowruz Around the World” exhibition for children and families about the ancient Persian festival of Nowruz. This exhibition holds potential to build connections among the many nationalities and cultures that trace their heritage to Persian roots, while also educating others about Persian culture. CDM has partnered with a nationally-known designer of cultural exhibitions, MIIM Designs llc, to engage our region’s diverse communities in design/development of an authentic, experiential 2,500 sf traveling exhibition highlighting what it means to be Persian through the festival of Nowrooz.

“At this moment in history, the hope of building greater understanding with respect to immigrants and refugees may seem like a distant dream. Leveraging core competence in exhibit design/development, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose (CDM) is to set the stage for creation of a transformational traveling exhibition that addresses demographic trends and national challenges. Exhibition Design Partner Maryam Eskandari, principal of the architectural firm MIIM Designs, brings highly relevant expertise, having worked with Children’s Museum of Manhattan to create America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far.”

~ Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose

“The Nowruz festival offers a uniquely cross-cultural contribution to rebuilding a more trusting landscape in our nation. This exhibit will lay the ground work for children to learn more about inclusivity, celebration of various cultures under one theme – Nowruz (the first day of Spring), global citizenship and the nuances of various steps to in mitigating climate change and healing Nature.”

~ Maryam Eskandari  

 READ MORE

MIIM's Tribute to the Great Poet Khalil Gibran

Every 30 years, these three Abrahamic holidays, Ramadan, Passover and Easter, coincide to create a moment of universal humanity. When the client came to us with a specific vision – creating a center designed for the WHOLE community. The building, originally, an old abandoned and neglected shell was to become an arena of triumph. A place where the athlete can began a their journey towards physical, mental and spiritual wellness. Our design was to capture the personal growth through three goals:

1. A design that would be inviting towards health, and healing of the body, mind and spirit.

2. A place of diverse learning – where every community member, regardless of gender, race, religion and age are welcome.

3. Community Learning Spaces – where intellectual engagement and discourse are at the heart of knowledge.

The result was HUB925. “Hub” – the effective center and “925” the area code of Pleasanton, California. We took the 35,000 sq. ft. factory and turned into a community and wellness center. And, on this day, we celebrate the WHOLE community through the remembrance of Khalil Gibran’s poem:

“I love you when you bow in your mosque,

kneel in your temple, pray in your church.

For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit.”

Maryam to Discuss the New Design of the Shams-i-Tabrizi Mausoleum in Khoy, Iran

This Saturday, April 9th, Maryam will be joined by Tammy Gaber, Gary Coates, and Bruce Lawrence in discussion with Nader Ardalan, to explore how Ardalan’s design for Shams will use the material medium of architecture facilitates transcendent experiences.

Each event features a virtual talk and visual presentation by a distinguished working architect, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Thomas Fischer. Sponsored by the Architecture, Culture and Spirituality Forum, the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University, the Institute for Public Knowledge at New York University, and COMIT.

Register HERE

Maryam Named Hunker Magazine "Architect of Impact"

Read the interview HERE.

Maryam will lecture on April 21st at NYU

This Wednesday, April 21st, Maryam will be joined by Finbar Barry Flood, Nebahat Avcıoğlu, and Azra Akšamija, to discuss the “"ARCHITECTURES OF CO-EXISTENCE: BUILDING PLURALISM".

While the politics of building typology is not new, Muslim communities are often challenged by many political issues when it comes to establishing the basic building typologies within the fabric of American cities. Such issues include gerrymandering, redlining and socio-economic pressures. The architectural programming of these building typologies can resolve many of these issues through the building of architecture and urbanism. The agency of the architect in this process and their impact within social processes that are inherently political, especially in designing and building the public domain. — Maryam Eskandari

Register HERE.

[the other] PPE: Practice, Pedagogy and Ecology

This Wednesday, March 17 at 8pm EST, Maryam will be joined by Deans Judy and Sean Palfrey for a “fireside chat” at the Gold Coast of Adam House at Harvard. Register for the online conversation HERE.

Maryam will lecture Thursday at SOA UNCC

Maryam will give her The Path Forward: Designing Beyond an Autonomous Architecture lecture on Friday, November 6th at 2pm via zoom. Register HERE.

MIIM Designs Selected to Reimagine the El Segundo Gateway for the LA 2028 Olympics

MIIM Designs is thrilled to announce our collaboration with the City of El Segundo in an exploration of the city’s main entrance on Imperial Highway. The 100 acres land is located in parallel with LAX runway just south of the city and is the gateway to the City of El Segundo. The original sign served as a landmark for the city.

The El Segundo Gateway, builds on the historical circular walls. The walls, the arms of the city, embrace you when you first arrive. Creating an inclusive in motion, representing the cycles of life, that emulates growth. The path directs you towards the west – as the sunsets, reflecting on the future of El Segundo and the future changes and shifting towards the emergence and weaving of a sustainability and technology through the celebration of the Blue Butterflies. 

“Land locked at one of the prominent spaces of Southern California, El Segundo is one of the main cities that one witnesses upon their arrival. Filled with a rich historical context of a land that was previously owned by corn farmers, later turned into a refinery town, through Chevron. We ask ‘How do we want the future gateway, for the city of El Segundo, to be representative of the community? And, how do we create: Wayfinding, Community, and Ownership?’ We strongly believe that the combination of strategic planning, creative programming and thoughtful transformation of the site will bring a renewed sense of relevance to this gateway.” – Maryam Eskandari

#BLACKLIVESMATTER

In lieu of a “normal Monday”, and in response to the events currently unfolding across the United State, MIIM Designs has recognized that business cannot continue as usual and we have made the decision to pause and stand in solidarity with all those demanding justices. The murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis was the latest in a long line of brutal acts. The betrayal of promises of our aspirations and the broken principal values of our society a has underscored a culture of systemic racism, hate and disenfranchisement.

While MIIM Design’s founding mission, Design Communities and Create Culture, emphasized civic dialogue and activism in architecture and design, we know that there is inherent privilege embedded in whose voices are heard.  We ask you, if it is possible to join us, so that we can stand humbly in solidarity, sadness, anger and hope with our fellow black communities, and to recommit to elevating the crucial narratives of those who are hurting the most, in both our words and actions.

With Justice, Equality, Health and Safety,
The MIIM Team

MIIM Designs is a proud sponsor of the "NOW WHAT!?" Exhibit

Over the last couple of weeks, the architecture community has been celebrating incredible and talented architects. New York Times and Architecture Digest recently ran two articles on “Architecture is No Longer Just a ‘Gentleman’s Profession’” and “LA-Mas Blending Design and Public Policy Solution”; and the Future of Women theme for the month of September was “Architecture”. Many of these architects have been setting the stepping stones and paving the way for the future of the architecture community. There is no better way to celebrate them than through this incredible exhibit - Now What?! The first exhibition to examine the little-known history of architects and designers working to further the causes of the civil rights, women’s, and LGBTQ movements of the past fifty years.

It is such an honor to celebrate these architects who have paved the way. Please join us as we show our appreciation and gratitude for the amazing contribution they have made in the field of architecture.  

JOIN US - RSVP

MARYAM TO SPEAK AT THE FUTURE OF WOMEN

The Future of Women has announced this Fall’s line up for the event. You are invited to an intimate breakfast with Maryam and four other incredible architects who are blazing trails, shaping societies, and inspiring communities. This event will be a candid conversation so that we can hear real stories, connect across cultures, and explore how these stories can be used for social change.

Get your tickets here and use PROMO CODE MARYAM to get your DISCOUNT!

Let's support women-led business while we're at it. Your ticket goes towards the delicious breakfast, giving our incredible chefs a nice Monday morning boost! See you there!

Maryam talks about the future of Schools of Architecture in Re.Design School

Recently, the Architecture School at The Design School at ASU launched a new initiative – Re.Designing The Design School - to ensure that architecture schools across the United States are providing students with the best design education.

In the interview, Maryam was asked the following questions: 
1.     Where is design going?
2.     How can design education be more relevant?  
3.     What are the future skillsets designers need to learn now?
4.     Designers work in transdisciplinary. What should a design school do to prepare students for that?
5.     What should a design school do to forward equity and inclusion?

Read Maryam’s Interview HERE.

Paid Summer Internship on the 1947 Partition

The 1947 Partition Archive is now accepting applications for our Oral History Student Internship Program in South Asia. You may apply to one of our funded districts listed below or define your own region within South Asia where you think stories should be collected. Please note you are responsible for finding your own lodging. In the questions below, you will be asked to justify your choice with evidence.  

The funded regions currently include:

• Maharashtra, India
• Sindh, Pakistan 
• Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Delhi, NCR, India
• West Bengal, India
• Assam, India
• Bihar, India
• Baluchistan, Pakistan
• Punjab, Pakistan
• Punjab, India
• Jodhpur, Rajasthan
• Special compensation city: Lahore, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore
• Special compensation in Karachi via: Mustafa Zafar Fellowship to record stories
• Other... NOMINATE A CITY

Apply HERE

DWELL ON DESIGN: ARCHITECTS OF IMPACT

Maryam to join Eve, Frances and Tiffany to discuss the ways in which architects are changing the world through the conviction that design can make the world a better place.  
Saturday, April 7 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Main Stage - Los Angeles Convention Center
 

To Register for Event
More Info click HERE

Paid Summer Internship in South Asian and Islamic Art

JOB ALERT:
The Art of Asia Department seeks an intern to work intensively on two projects under the supervision of the Ananda Coomaraswamy Curator of South Asian and Islamic Art. The projects will provide the intern with direct experience of two important aspects of curatorial work. The first project is a catalog of highlights of the South Asian art collection, which the intern will help to bring to completion (e.g. researching objects, collating drafts, standardizing language). The second project is the reinstallation of the Islamic gallery, for which the intern will work on a visitor study that will provide critical information about the familiarity of the Museum’s audience with Islamic art and culture.
APPLY HERE 

UCLA Center for Near Eastern Studies Presents: American Mosque

Maryam and Edward will hold a conversation on "American Mosque", the history of American mosques as communal and contested spaces with particular attention to diversity (racial, socio-economic, sectarian), gender roles, built environment and design this Saturday, March 3rd at 1:30pm PST. For information on attending click HERE

Stanford Graduate Women's Group Presents: Maryam Eskandari

Maryam will hold a conversation on "Reading Between the Lines - (Real) Roles, Responsibilities, & Stories" as a paradigm for understanding the role of an architect in the built environment at Stanford University this Thursday, February 15 at 4:30pm PST. For more information on attending click HERE.