Showcase 2026 Student Spotlight: Ghazal Mohammadi
Student Spotlight featuring MArch Architecture student Ghazal Mohammadi and her project 'AVA'.
By Jon Duckworth | Published on 14 May 2026
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
The Project
Ghazal Mohammadi's project is named "AVA" which, she explains, means melody and sound in Persian. "while in English and other languages, it carries meanings related to life, breath, and birds."
She explains:
"My site is the historic Hansom Hall in the heart of Leicester. My main goal was to design an Educational Institute for Music that acts as a porous civic infrastructure, seamlessly blending the school with the city. To achieve this, I proposed pedestrianising the surrounding streets and drawing inspiration from the philosophy of Persian Gardens specifically their spatial hierarchy and interconnected pathways to link the educational spaces with the urban fabric.
"At the heart of the project is a central courtyard featuring a double-height, semi-open terrace. This acts as the core connector and a public performance space. When students practice or perform here, the music naturally flows into the entrance corridors, inviting locals in. It breaks down the boundaries between artists and citizens, boosting the students' confidence while bringing the joy of street performance to the public.
"For the interior, I integrated the mathematical logic of traditional Iranian architecture to solve technical challenges. The music archive and library is designed like a sacred, cave-like sanctuary for music lovers. I used the logic of Karbandi and Rasmi-bandi (traditional Persian geometric vaulting) for the ceiling, incorporating light-coloured wood and reflective stone to invite and bounce natural skylight inside. In the Main Concert Hall (developed from my Vertical Studio 2), I used the intricate geometry of Muqarnas on the ceiling as an acoustic diffuser for sound insulation, paired with light pipes for direct daylight. Finally, the main entrance hallway and facade were inspired by the hollowed, complex stone cuts of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, while the public foyer reinterprets the warm, welcoming spaces of traditional Iranian houses (Seh-dari and Panj-dari) to create a comforting waiting area."
Ghazal was inspired by Persian architecture and Persian carpet design. Image by Ghazal Mohammadi.
The inspiration behind the project
Ghazal tells us: "Being born and raised in Iran, I have always been deeply inspired by Persian architecture and the intricate patterns of Persian carpets. However, for this project, I didn't just want to copy the aesthetics; I wanted to extract the underlying logic of these designs and see how they could offer lessons for contemporary architecture.
"I was fascinated by the idea of using history not just for ornamentation, but for function. For instance, diving deep into the mathematical geometry of Muqarnas and learning how its logic can be applied to acoustic engineering in a modern concert hall was incredibly inspiring. I wanted my design to breathe new life into Hansom Hall, turning it into a multicultural hub. The name 'AVA' embodies this inspiration it represents the breath of fresh air and the harmony I wanted to bring to this historic UK building by infusing it with my cultural heritage."
The project experience
For MArch Architecture student Ghazal, working on the project has been a rewarding journey of discovery.
"Before this, I had never looked at Iranian architecture with such a high level of technical detail to inspire my own structural forms. Understanding the logic behind these ancient geometries and translating them into a modern context gave me an incredible sense of achievement. Working closely with my tutors and the staff was a fantastic experience; their guidance helped me push the boundaries of the brief. Overall, it felt like I was crafting a beautiful dialogue between two different worlds giving a multicultural rebirth to Hansom Hall."
Ghazal envisages Hansom Hall as a multicultural hub. Image by Ghazal Mohammadi.
Being part of NTU
Ghazal sums up her two years at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) as having been personally and academically transformative.
"I’ll be honest as an international student, the beginning was tough. Even with a good IELTS score, I experienced a bit of culture shock and sometimes struggled to catch everything in lectures initially. But NTU has such a warm, accepting environment, and my classmates were so understanding that I very quickly felt a strong sense of belonging.
"The MArch studio became my sanctuary. I even created a 'Little Iran' on my desk, complete with traditional handmade Iranian tablecloths, paintings, dolls, and university models. We even kept a kettle in the studio to treat ourselves to Iranian tea with saffron and Nabat (rock candy)! I am so glad this is a two-year course; it gave me the time to truly grow, zoom in on the details, and absorb so much more than a one-year program would allow.
"Skill-wise, I have progressed immensely. During my undergrad, I mostly used Revit and Lumion. At NTU, I learned Rhino, Grasshopper, V-Ray, and Twinmotion, which dramatically improved my rendering capabilities. I also developed hands-on physical skills, learning 3D printing, woodcraft/model making, and casting. Beyond software, my architectural eye has evolved I now look at details and interdisciplinary connections in a completely different way, partly thanks to the memorable student field trips and conversations with peers from other courses."
Ghazal Mohammadi, MArch Architecture.
Closing remarks
Ghazal has the following advice for students considering following in her footsteps:
"Show up to the studio! Architecture is a heavy, demanding, and often stressful course. But being in the studio makes a massive difference. Even if you haven't finished your tasks for the week and have nothing specific to show your tutor, still show up. Use the studio space to work. I personally go to the studio even on Saturdays and Sundays. By being present, you can lean on your classmates, learn from their techniques, and share the pressure.
"Also, make full use of the university's resources. The computers at NTU are powerful and handle heavy rendering software brilliantly. Don't isolate yourself at home immerse yourself in the university environment, ask for help when you need it, and enjoy the journey!"
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