Shadan “Shay” Mirzaei is a Persian designer, researcher, and artist based in Los Angeles, currently working as an architectural designer and research lead at Atelier West. Her multicultural background — born and raised in Dubai, attending the British International School in France, and earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the US — has deeply shaped her views on design and human behavior. This global perspective drives her to create thoughtful, human-centered spaces.

At UC Santa Barbara, Shadan earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Art. During her time there, she worked as an architectural researcher, an intern at the Smithsonian in DC, and had her artwork, Ceci n’est pas une robe, exhibited at the UCSB AD+A Museum. In June 2019, she was selected to lead her graduating class as the student marshal, in recognition of her academic excellence and leadership.

At USC, Shadan earned her Master of Architecture degree — her thesis, Healing Aesthetics: A Cancer-Care Clinic, explored the intersection between environmental psychology and architectural design. She received First Place Awards in the Healthcare Design and Housing & Community courses and demonstrated leadership as President of the Graduate Architecture Student Association (GASA). Shadan graduated with Tau Sigma Delta Honors in May 2022, awarded to the top percentage of graduates. 

Shadan continues to contribute to the architectural landscape of Los Angeles through her position as a designer; while remaining dedicated to conducting and developing research on evidence-based, human-centered design principles that promote well-being in the built environment.