Sara Sheikh Akbari Associate Director B Arch, M.Arch

Profile
Sara joined Zaha Hadid Architects in 2007. Since joining the practice, Sara has had a pivotal role on some of ZHA’s major cultural, office, commercial and residential projects spanning Middle East, North America and Europe. Sara was a key member of Heydar Aliyev Centre project in Azerbaijan, a 57,519m² cultural centre and contributed to the design and delivery of the project from 2007 to 2012. She was the project director of ZHA’s BEEAH Headquarters’ project in the UAE. The award winning headquarters comprises office spaces and supporting facilities and has been designed to achieve LEED platinum certification and net-zero energy. Other projects include 520 West 28th Street in New York, Masaryk Train Station in Prague, Navi Mumbai International Airport in India, Forest Green Rovers Eco-stadium in the UK, amongst others.

Education
Sara obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Shahid Beheshti (Meli) University in Tehran with honors. Shortly after graduating, Sara moved to London to study at the Architectural Association’s Design Research Lab (DRL) in London, where she received her Master’s in Architecture in 2007.