Generative Design
Participatory Design
Augmented and Virtual Reality
User Experience Research
Building Performance Analysis
Master in Design Studies, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Master of Architecture, University of Utah
Bachelor of Architectural Engineering, University of Art, Tehran
Elnaz is inspired by the way journeys – both physical and personal – influence a designer’s approach to architecture. Elnaz Tafrihi is a designer and a PhD student in Building Science program at UC Berkeley . Her background in daylight and energy simulation highlight Elnaz’s ability to inform the human relationship with the built environment. After receiving her Masters in design studies from Harvard, Elnaz worked in the energy consulting field on large scale projects including the Tianjin Juilliard School of Music, Dubai Expo 2020, and the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. Elnaz currently works on integration of building simulation in virtual reality.
Fall 2019 – ENVDES 4A: Design and Activism
Spring 2020 – ARCH 240: Advanced Study of Energy and Environment
Fall 2020 – ARCH 11A: Introduction to Visualization & Architectural Representation
Spring 2021 – ARCH 240: Advanced Study of Energy and Environment
Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award
Berkeley Changemaker Technology Innovation Grant
US Provisional Patent Application – Systems and Methods for Integrating User Feedback and Eye Tracking in Generative Design (InsightXR project)
Jacobs Institute Innovation Catalyst Ignite Grant
T.Y Lin Prize in Architecture and Engineering
ASHRAE Eric Thor Andresen Memorial Scholarship – First Place Winner
ASHRAE Golden Gate Chapter Scholarship
Graduate Remote Instructor Fellow
Harvard Graduate School of Design Annual Scholarship
Fred Montmorency Scholarship- MHTN Architects
Heat-Actuated Auxetic Facades – Facade Tectonics 2018 World Congress
Localized Rigidification Through PCM Freezing – Facade Tectonics 2018 World Congress