Leila Araghian (Persian: لیلا عراقیان; born 1983) is an Iranian architect. She has a master's degree in architecture from the University of British Columbia, where she won the UBC Architecture Alumni Henry Elder Prize.[1] She previously studied architecture in Iran, at Shahid Beheshti University.[2]

Leila Araghian
Born
Leila Araghian

1983 (age 40–41)
Tehran, Iran
NationalityIranian
Alma materShahid Beheshti University
University of British Columbia
OccupationArchitect
BuildingsTabiat Bridge

In 2005, Araghian co-founded Diba Tensile Architecture, a company specialising in the design, manufacture and installation of membrane structures.[3] She was chief architect and designer of the Tabiat Bridge in Tehran, a pedestrian bridge opened in late 2014 which has won several prizes, including the 2016 Aga Khan Award for Architecture for Architecture,[4] and the Popular Choice award in the Highways & Bridges category of Architizer's 2015 A+ Awards.[5]

Araghian's Iranian heritage has restricted her international exposure; she was not allowed to enter the World Architecture Festival because of sanctions against Iran.[2] The architect herself spoke out against the sanctions because according to her, "this is ridiculous, I’m an Iranian architect and this is a cultural activity, it has absolutely nothing to do with politics."[6]

She was photographed in September 2015 by Brandon Stanton for the Humans of New York trip to Iran.[7][2]

Projects by Diba Tensile Architects (selection)

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Tabiat pedestrian bridge, Tehran
 
Tabiat pedestrian bridge

References

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  1. ^ "2013 Graduating Awards Announced". UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 23 May 2013. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Saeed Kamali Dehghan (20 April 2015). "Take it to the bridge: the Tehran architect striking the right chord in Iran and beyond". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  3. ^ "Diba Tensile Architecture - Founders".
  4. ^ 2016 Aga Khan Award for Architecture
  5. ^ Ted Regencia (16 April 2015). "The award-winning bridge connecting Iranians". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  6. ^ "Take it to the bridge: The Tehran architect striking the right chord in Iran and beyond". TheGuardian.com. 20 April 2015.
  7. ^ "Leila Araghian". Humans of New York. Facebook. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  8. ^ "Façade of Platinum Commercial and Entertainment Complex". Diba Tensile Structures. 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2022-06-10.
  9. ^ "Entrance Canopy of the Bazarganan Hospital". Diba Tensile Structures. 2020-07-07. Retrieved 2022-06-10.
  10. ^ "Azadi Innovation Factory". Diba Tensile Structures. 2021-01-04. Retrieved 2022-06-10.
  11. ^ "Baghdad International Airport Corridor Canopy". Diba Tensile Structures. 2021-08-14. Retrieved 2022-06-10.