Ali Heshmati
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Ali Heshmati received his professional degree with the highest distinction from the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the University of Minnesota. As an architect with more than 24 years experience in architecture, public art, and fine arts, Ali has worked on numerous large-scale award-winning projects. His architectural work during the last two decades has focused on cultural and public arenas. Mr. Heshmati has taught as an adjunct assistant professor at the Department of Architecture of the University of Minnesota From 1996. In 2002 he joined Fabric Architecture magazine as a contributing editor.
Heshmati is a founding partner at Laboratory for Environments, Architecture, and Design a collaborative inter-disciplinary firm with studios in USA and Norway. LEADinc, pronounced like 'led', is a progressive design laboratory whose guiding principle is the idea that creative architecture is rooted in the process of research, discovery and critique of existing conventions. Consistent with LEADinc’s vision, Heshmati’s practice, teaching, research, and writing focuses on the role of building methods, technologies, materials, natural and built environments in the formation of design objects. Through his work, he explores the effects of building activity on the natural, and built environments.
since the late 80's with a background in fine arts, he has been exploring the juncture between art and architecture. The consideration of human body and culture in the public theater, and architecture as the stage for this theater, has been the focal point of Heshmati's professional and collaborative work. Ali Heshmati has received numerous awards of excellence, grants, Scholarships and fellowships for his design work.
Education
University of Minnesota
College of Architectureand Landscape Architecture
First Professional Degree, BArch, with Distinction
Tehran Academy of Fine Arts
Three years program in Persian Fine arts: Miniature
Painting, Qajar Painting, Illumination, and Watercolor
Academic Experience
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Architecture Department, University of Minnesota, 2013-2014
Visiting Studio Instructor, Bergen Architecture School, January, 2006
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Architecture Department, University of Minnesota, 1996-2004
Undergraduate Studio Coordinator, 5282, 2001-2002
Presenter, ARCC/EAAE Conference “Research and Education” Teaching how to learn, 2002
Co-presenter, Undergraduate Faculty Seminar, 1999
Intern Development Program Coordinator, Architecture Department,University of Minnesota 98-02
Architecture Instructor, Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth, 1998-2000
Guest Critic, Architecture Department, University of Minnesota, 1993-1996
Co-Teacher, Continuing Scholar Program 1995
Professional Experience
Registered Architect, State of Minnesota license number 42835
Sivilarkitekt, Norway
Founder and President, Laboratory for Environments,
Architecture and Design Inc. 2001-Present
Contributing Editor, Fabric Architecture magazine 2002-Pressent
Co-founder and Partner, CONstruct Architects, Inc. 1996-2001
Designer, Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle 1992-1996
Co-founder, Studio CONstruct, 1994
Exhibitions + Presentations
REFLEKS Symposium, Art in Public Realm, Presentation and lecture on our design process regarding Hetervig Observatory, Feb, 2010.
Health and Aesthetic, The Work Environment, Lecture presentation at Valen Mental Health Hospital, May 2006
Aesthetic of Health, Healthy Aesthetic, lecture presentation atUniversity ofBergen on Design and health of the built environment, March 2006
Architecture Research Centers Consortium and European Association for Architectural Education, Lecture Presentation at the Symposium: Research and Architectural Education, School of Architecture, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, May 2002
Frozen Tears, a public art presentation in the memory of lost lives regarding September 11, 2001, 2003
Recent Work, presentation to Studio Arts program atMcalesterCollege, 2002
Islamic Architecture of Iran, lecture presentation to the American Association of University Women, 2001
Recent Work, presentation to Studio Arts program atMcalesterCollege, 2001
Selected Work, CONstruct Architects, Inc. 1999, CALA Faculty Exhibit,University ofMinnesota
Little Lots Competition Entry, 1999,Plymouth Church, Minneapolis
The Vault, an Architectural Performance, 1994, Southern Theater, Minneapolis
Publications
Fabric Architecture, “Tensioned Fabric Structure Brings Performance and Sculpture Together”, Dar Luz, February, 2010
Bauen Mit Holz, “Wood, Fabric, Light and Sound”, Dar Luz, May, 2009
Fabric Architecture, “Interactive Installation Lights Up Eindhoven”, Dar Luz, March, 2009
Mondo arc, “Rhythm of the night”, Tempo, Apr/May, 2008
Byggeindustrien, ”Landemerke på Husnes”, Apr, 2008
Fabric Architecture, Tempo, Nov/Dec, 2007
Byggaktuelt, “Verdig vinner”, 12. 2007
Architecture Minnesota, “Whirlwind Romance”, Mar/Apr, 2007
Public Art Review, Tempo, Fall/Winter, 2006
Fabric Architecture, “Norwegian Fabric” July-August, 2006
The Magic of Tents Transforming Space, By Alejandro Bahamon, featuring Art of Chiropractic, published by Loft and HBI in 2004
Byggaktuelt, “Genial Skillevegg” No. ½ 2004
Architecture Minnesota, “Fabric Art” September-October 2002Architecture, “While the computer industry keeps our profession” August 2003
Fabric Architecture, “Faith In Design” March-April 2002
Fabric Architecture, “Snowbound” July-August 2001
Architecture Minnesota, “New Houses” May-June 2001
Architecture Minnesota, “Architectural Families” July-August 2000, Two Articles
Architecture Minnesota, “Growing Architecture Firms” July-August 1999
Architecture Minnesota, “New Residential Design” May-June 1999
Architecture Minnesota, “drawing board” March-April 1995
Recent
Art and Culture School, Husnes, Norway
Ambiente Gallerie, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.
Lars Hertervig Observatory, Borgøy, Norway
Tysværvåg Kindergarten, Tysværvåg, Norway
Fjellhaug Kindergarten, Frakkagjerdet, Norway
Aksdal Kindergarten, Aksdal, Norway
Tempo, Public Art Installation, Husnes, Norway
Gausel, Private residence, Stavanger, Norway
Søljehauge, Private residence, Rosendal, Norway
Galleri G. Guddal, Gallery and coffee shop, Rosendal, Norway
Foundry offices, Sør-Norge Aluminium AS, Office Interior/Work Landscape, Husnes, Norway
Blokkebærhauge, Private residence, Sunde, Norway
Patrick’s Cabaret, Minneapolis, Minnesota
2009 International Achievement Award, IFAI, Outstanding Achievement Award, Dar Luz, Public Art Installation, GLOW 2008, Eindhoven, Netherlands
2009 AIA Minnesota Young Architects Award
2009 AIA National Small Project Honor Award, Dar Luz, Public Art, GLOW 2008, Eindhoven, Netherlands
2008 First Place, National Competition, Kvinnherad Kulturskulesenter, Cultural school, Husnes, Norway
2008 Nordisk Lyspris competition, Tempo, Public Art Installation, Husnes, Kvinnherad, Norway
2008 AIA National Small Project Honor Award, Tempo, Public Art Installation, Husnes, Norway
2007 Norsk Lyspris, Tempo, Public Art Installation, Husnes, Kvinnherad, Norway
2007 International Achievement Award, IFAI, Award of Excellence, Tempo, Public Art Installation, Husnes, Norway
2006 AIAMinnesota Honor Award, Tempo, Public Art Installation, Husnes, Kvinnherad, Norway
2004 AIA Minnesota, Minneapolis Merit Award, Art of Chiropractic Clinic and Gallery, Minneapolis, Minnesota
2003 AIA Minnesota Honor Award, Art of Chiropractic Clinic and Gallery, Minneapolis, Minnesota
2002 Voted one of the Most Influential Professor and Course, Undergraduate Students, University of Minnesota
2002 First Place, National Competition, Wildwood Pedestrian Bridge, Wildwood, Missouri
2001 AIAMinnesota Honor Award, 21320 Renovation, Nebel Residence, Excelsior,Minnesota
2000 Metal Architecture, Design Awards, Honorable Mention, BankVista Financial Center, Sartell, Minnesota
2000 Merit Winner for Awards of Excellence in Construction competition, BankVista Financial Center, Sartell,Minnesota, Associated Builders and Contractors Minnesota Chapter
2000 Associated Builders and Contractors Minnesota Chapter Merit Winner for Lighting Design, BankVista Financial Center, Sartell, Minnesota
2000 Merit Winner for Awards of Excellence in Construction competition, BankVista Financial Center, Sartell, Minnesota Associated Builders and Contractors National
1998 Outstanding Land Development Award, Montgomery County Planning Commission, SEI Investment Corporate Headquarters (Designed while with MS&R)
1998 Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Award for Restoration and New Addition, Hosmer Community Library (Designed while with MS&R)
1998 American Galvanizers Association, Excellence in Hot Dip Galvanizing Award, Chanhassen Pedestrian Bridge (Designed while with MS&R)
1998 City Pages “Best of the Twin Cities” Best Public Works Project, Chanhassen Pedestrian Bridge (Designed while with MS&R)
1997 AIAMinnesota Honor Award:Chanhassen Pedestrian Bridge (Designed while with MS&R)
1997 Runner Up, Rapson Travel Fellowship, Design Competition
1997 Associated Builders and Contractors Award of Excellence, SEI Investment Corporate Headquarters (Designed while with MS&R)
1997 Minneapolis Committee on Urban Environment (CUE) Award, Hosmer Community Library (Designed while with MS&R)
1996 Minneapolis Committee on Urban Environment (CUE) Award, New French Kitchen (Designed while with MS&R)
1995 Travel Study Fellowship, The Jerome Foundation
1994 Intermedia ArtsMinnesota, Divers Vision Grant, Interdisciplinary Project: Architecture and Theater (Collaboration with Jennifer Yoos, Kristin Froebel & Mary Ludington)
1993 Forecast, Public Art Affairs Project Award
1992 CALA Thesis Honor Award
1991-92 AIA, AAF HenryAdams Medal and Certificate to the Top Graduating Student
1991 First Runner Up,Evanston Public Library Competition, (Design with Harrison Fraker, FAIA)
1990-91 Ellerbe Foundation Fellowship
1989 Third Prize, Minnegasco Design Competition
1989 First Prize, Precast Concrete Competition
1988-89 AIA Merit Scholarship, National Competition
1988 Undergraduate ResearchOpportunity Program Scholarship Award
1988 First Prize, Sound Machine Design Competition