What is the role of restraint and abandon in architecture? When we forgo the impulse toward apriorist expression, can novel form emerge? In this lecture, Raha Talebi and Paul Vantieghem, draw from the work of their eponymous studio—Vantieghem Talebi—to explore this value judgement.
Their architecture and design firm is dedicated to things of beauty and to the betterment of design environments of all sizes. The firm’s ongoing, international projects span various programs and scales, ranging from exhibitions, private residences and industrial developments to large scale headquarters and urban masterplans. Vantieghem Talebi operates from Venice Beach, California and Basel, Switzerland.
Paul Vantieghem graduated from Sint-Lucas School of Architecture in Ghent (BE) and the KU Leuven (BE). Subsequent to his studies, Paul worked with Stéphane Beel Architects, Beel & Achtergael Architects and Herzog & de Meuron (Basel, CH). At Herzog & de Meuron he worked, amongst other projects, on the Tate Modern Extension in London. As an Associate there, Paul was the Project Manager for the Bordeaux Stadium, leading both design development and technical construction aspects. Paul is a registered architect with SIA, the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects and OvA, the Belgian Order of Architects.
Raha Talebi earned her bachelor of architecture professional degree from The Cooper Union for Art and Architecture. She continued her studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, graduating with a master’s degree in architecture (M.Arch. II). She previously worked with FOA (London, UK) and Herzog & de Meuron (Basel,CH). As a senior architect with the latter, Raha was a project manager on various projects including the M+ Museum and Offices in Hong Kong and Powerhouse Arts in Brooklyn, New York. She is a registered architect with SIA, the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects. A lecturer at UCLA and the Esherick Visiting Professor at UC Berkeley, she is also invested in writing and teaching.