Spotlight on Staff | Mohsen Heidari, Senior Principal

A seasoned architect, Mohsen Heidari joined WHA’s Santa Ana office in 1995. Just two years later he was selected to lead the Production Department in WHA’s Northern California office due to his exceptional qualifications, experience, leadership and work ethic. Please join us for a Q&A session with Mohsen.

1.) Tell us about your journey to become an architect?

I came to the US from Iran in 1978 and attended West Covina High for one year, and then entered the architecture program at USC. My first job was summer employment at the Los Angeles offices of Arthur Erickson. The firm had won many international competitions including the California Plaza at Bunker Hill in LA, and was preparing a submittal for the San Diego Convention Center competition, which was the first real project I worked on. I realized after going back to school that we actually won that competition, and to this day every time I see the building, which is now where PCBC is held every other year, I recall the rough scale models we were working on.

2.) When did you realize that you wanted to be an architect?

I probably decided to become an architect when I was in ninth grade. Before that, I thought I would become an engineer of some sort since that was what everyone, including my older siblings, was getting into during the 1970s in Iran. To this day, many of the engineering firms we work with here are run by Persian engineers. In school we had an assignment to draw the floor plan of the house we were living in, and in doing so, I decided that architecture would be a fun thing to do for a living. For me, it provides a good balance of my analytic and creative mind.

3.) What’s your favorite thing about WHA?

I have a passion for residential architecture, so mostly I love that working at WHA provides me that opportunity to do what I enjoy. I’ve been lucky to experience both WHA’s southern and northern California offices. In 1997, I moved up to start the WHA northern California office with a handful of other staff. Overall, I love that WHA has a family-like atmosphere. The mid-size nature of our San Ramon office makes going to work feel even more like spending time with a second family. We know each other personally and we know the strengths and abilities of the team.

4.) What was the most exciting project you’ve worked on at WHA?

There have been a few memorable projects over the years. The first that stands out was The Ranch by Centex in San Diego. This was one of our first upscale projects that put WHA on par with other large firms. Our work at The Ranch brought in a variety of projects over the years. A more recent project that stands out was doing the construction administration for The Danville Hotel here in northern California, very close to our office. This was a departure from the purely residential work we typically do, so it was a fun challenge.  We are looking forward to enjoying the two restaurants on that site. Every day there is so much variety within our residential work, so we are constantly touching multiple projects at the same time, which keeps work exciting.

5.) Do you have anything to say to young people who are interested in architecture and want to join this industry?

There are many types of architectural focuses out there, so do your best to determine, in school and early in your career, what type of work you most enjoy. Don’t settle for a job just because there is a need or because it’s comfortable. We all get into the field because of our passion, so don’t stop pursuing that passion. Even if you don’t find your niche right away, don’t be afraid to keep exploring or being too shy to ask for more opportunities. One of the beauties of WHA is the number of studios within one firm, giving people a chance to work where their talents lie.

6.) What do you do in your free time?

For many years my three kids occupied most of my free time, although that has changed quite a bit since they are now grown. I am rediscovering how I want to fill that time. My hobbies include photography, video editing, and reading about history.  I love cycling so on most Saturdays you’ll find me biking to the summit of Mt. Diablo.