Ronak Roshan
Ronak Roshan is an award-winning Iranian architect, restorer, and construction manager whose work bridges modern sustainability with centuries-old heritage. As CEO and founder of the Ronak Roshan Office, she leads projects that are as environmentally responsible as they are culturally rooted—integrating smart, low-impact building methods into the delicate fabric of historic urban spaces.
Raised in Rasht, a lush Caspian city shaped by traditional architecture, Roshan has dedicated over six years to restoring its historic houses and public spaces. Her philosophy is simple but uncompromising: design should honour place, serve community needs, and tread lightly on the planet. She champions adaptive reuse, local materials, and climate-responsive design, believing the most sustainable building is one that already exists.
Her portfolio includes the Clubhouse Restoration—winner of the Grand Prix Design Paris 2024 and the Golden Trezzini Gold Certificate—which reimagined a heritage building as a vibrant community hub without erasing its past. Projects such as Mazlomroshan Restaurant and Javidi Dental Office have also garnered international recognition for marrying eco-minded construction with human-centred design.
Holding a Post DBA, DBA, and MBA (PMBOK) from the University of Tehran, Roshan combines business acumen with architectural vision. This blend enables her to manage complex restoration and regeneration projects that balance economic viability with environmental stewardship.
Longlisted for the 2025 Aga Khan Award for Architecture for her SaghariSazan Revitalisation, Roshan is a voice for regenerative urbanism in Iran and beyond. Her ethics reject the “demolish and rebuild” mindset, advocating instead for preserving embodied energy, protecting cultural memory, and designing for future generations.
For Roshan, architecture is not just about buildings—it’s about relationships between people, place, and planet. Her work invites cities to heal, adapt, and thrive in the face of climate and cultural change.
Who Narrates the Narrative at TEDx? Greenwashing in Iranian Architecture’s Spotlight
The TEDxOmid Architecture event in Tehran promised sustainability and social justice but revealed deep contradictions between its rhetoric and reality. This in-depth report exposes how Iran’s star architects—linked to commercial tower projects and weak environmental accountability—reflect a pattern of architectural greenwashing under the guise of “responsive design.”
The Aga Khan is greenwashing their awards
The hotel’s basic ozonation and composting systems lack advanced treatment needed for sensitive coastal zones. Without independent monitoring, there’s no way to confirm that wastewater meets safety standards. On an island without a municipal sewage network, any leakage could threaten coral reefs, seagrass beds, and turtle habitats.