What is the best thing that I love about my work? What I love most about my work is its ability to constantly push me toward the unknown, where creation becomes inevitable. Each project feels like a threshold into a new experience. Through architecture and voice acting, I live multiple worlds and versions of myself. This process continuously reveals new dimensions of who I am. My work does not allow me to remain the same, and that transformation is its deepest value for
What is my idea of happiness? Happiness for me is not a destination but a state of immersion in creation. It appears when I lose track of time and fully align with what I am doing. It is found in both movement and stillness, in beginning and completion. Sometimes it is also simply being with people I feel safe with. For me, happiness is a way of being rather than having.
Picture credits: Fateme Akhlaghi
What is my greatest fear? My greatest fear is not change, but stagnation—becoming emotionally or intellectually static. I fear losing curiosity and the ability to be moved by life. I am also afraid of replacing independent thought with blind admiration. This kind of numbness feels like a quiet disappearance of inner vitality. I try to remain aware through continuous questioning.
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What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? My main challenge is perfectionism. It often delays action by making me wait for everything to feel fully complete. This can lead to missed opportunities. I am learning that clarity often comes through doing, not before it. Accepting imperfection has become part of my creative growth.
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Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? Among contemporary architects, I admire Bjarke Ingels, Tadao Ando, and Peter Zumthor. Their work reflects very different yet deeply influential approaches to space, light, and structure. In voice acting, I admire Laura Bailey and Ashley Johnson for their emotional depth and expressive range. Each of them expands the boundaries of their craft in a distinct way.
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When and where was I the happiest in my work? I am happiest when an idea is realized exactly as I had envisioned it. That moment of alignment between intention and outcome feels deeply fulfilling. It is not about recognition, but about inner precision. These moments usually come at the end of a process, when everything converges. They feel like quiet confirmation.
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If I could, what would I change about myself? I would change my tendency to overanalyze situations from too many perspectives. It sometimes leads me to neglect my own needs. While this sensitivity helps me understand complexity, it can also slow down decision-making. I am learning to balance empathy with self-presence. This remains an ongoing process.
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What is my greatest achievement in work? I do not define my journey through fixed achievements. I see myself as someone still in the process of learning. What I value most is resilience and the ability to continue after setbacks. Progress, for me, is built through repetition and return. Persistence has become my most meaningful accomplishment so far.
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Where would I most like to live? I feel a strong sense of belonging in Tehran, as it is where I live and draw much of my daily inspiration from. At the same time, I value experiencing different places and ways of living, as they expand my perspective and feed my creative process. For me, “home” is not limited to one fixed location, but something that is defined by movement and openness to different environments, as the French would say, être en mouvement.
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What is my most treasured possession? My most treasured possession is not material, but human presence.The people who have supported me throughout my life are my greatest wealth. My mother, in particular, has been a constant source of strength and belief. Her support has shaped both my personal and professional path. These relationships define my sense of value.
Picture credits: Fateme Akhlaghi
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What is my most marked characteristic? My defining traits are courage, responsibility, emotional openness, and high energy. I engage deeply with both life and work. Communication is one of my strongest abilities, allowing me to connect across contexts. I take responsibility seriously in all my commitments. These qualities shape the way I move through the world.
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What is my most inspirational location in my city? Valiasr Street is my main source of inspiration, as it is constantly alive and evolving. I also feel a strong connection to Yousef Abad, which offers a sense of calm familiarity. Both places are deeply tied to my personal memory. I often draw creative energy from their atmosphere. They function as emotional landscapes in my work.
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What is my favorite place to eat and drink in my city? It depends on the moment, but I often go to WealBar Cafe and Shahla Taria. Both places feel familiar and grounding to me. Their atmosphere allows me to pause and reset. They are spaces I return to frequently. Comfort, for me, is more important than novelty.
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What books influenced my life and how?Jane Eyre, The Color Purple, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and In Search of Lost Time have deeply influenced me. They shaped my understanding of resilience, identity, and emotional complexity. Each book expanded my perception of inner life and human experience. They continue to inform how I think and feel. Literature remains a core influence in my worldview.
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You only die once. What music would you listen to on your last day? On my last day, I would listen to Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2. Its emotional depth and stillness feel timeless to me. It holds a sense of acceptance and reflection. I would want that music to accompany my final moments. It feels like a quiet farewell.
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Who is my hero or heroine in fiction and real life? My heroines include my grandmother, Fahimeh Akbar, and Maryam Mirzakhani. My grandmother represents resilience shaped by lived experience. Fahimeh Akbar reflects artistic dedication and strength in performance. Maryam Mirzakhani embodies intellectual brilliance and quiet perseverance. Each represents a different dimension of inspiration.
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Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? I would recommend The Piano. It is a deeply emotional story about silence, expression, and inner transformation. The film explores communication beyond words. It stays with you long after watching it. It feels essential rather than optional.
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Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My mother is my greatest supporter in life and work. Her belief in me has been constant and unwavering. In moments of uncertainty, she has always helped me move forward. Her presence has been foundational in my journey. She is my strongest source of encouragement.
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Which people or companies would I like to collaborate with? I would like to collaborate with studios such as OMA, UNStudio, Foster + Partners, and BIG. Their work represents a forward-thinking approach to architecture. In Iran, I am also inspired by ZAV Architects and Kalbod Studio. Their projects reflect strong conceptual and spatial thinking. Collaboration with them would be deeply meaningful to me.
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What role do stories play in my life and work? Stories allow me to experience multiple ways of living simultaneously. They shape both my imagination and my problem-solving abilities. Through stories, I find new perspectives and ideas. They are a constant source of inspiration in my work. For me, storytelling is a way of thinking.
Picture credits: Fateme Akhlaghi
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What does the sentence “You are the storyteller of your own life” mean to me? I deeply believe in this idea. It reminds me that meaning is shaped through interpretation, not circumstance. I am responsible for how I construct my own narrative. Life is not only lived, but also told. This awareness gives me agency over my experience.
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What project am I most excited to work on? I would love to design a school for working children—a space that offers education, dignity, and new possibilities. It is a project rooted in social responsibility. I see it as a way to create meaningful impact through architecture. This idea feels both personal and necessary to me.
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Where can people see me or my work? People can find me on LinkedIn and Instagram, where I share my work and creative journey. These platforms reflect different aspects of my practice. I use them as spaces for visibility and connection. They document my evolving path.
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What does the phrase “Passion never retires” mean to me? To me, passion is not tied to age or achievement. It is a continuous state of becoming. It evolves rather than fades. It keeps me engaged with life and creation. Passion, for me, is a way of existing.
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Which creative women would I recommend Peter to invite to share their story? I would recommend Dena Khaksar. Her work and presence reflect a strong creative voice. She brings depth and sensitivity to her field. I find her approach consistently inspiring. She deserves wider recognition.
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Who is my favorite fictional or literary heroine? My favorite literary heroines are Tahmineh from Shahnameh, Scheherazade from One Thousand and One Nights, and Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. Tahmineh represents the courage of conscious choice and the power to shape destiny through emotional intelligence. Scheherazade embodies the transformative power of storytelling, where narrative becomes a means of survival and a way to turn violence into curiosity. Elizabeth Bennet reflects intellectual independence and emotional clarity, the ability to see truth beyond social expectations while remaining grounded in self-respect and inner awareness.
How can people contact me?
Email: Liaaashakeri99@gmail.com
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/liashakerii?igsh=MWR3NXh0MjR4Z2RkMg==
Linkdin:
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