#322 - HOMAN RAJAI, Co-founder and Co-creative director of Studio AHEAD
SUMMARY
This week Homan Rajai, Co-founder and Co-creative director of Studio AHEAD joins David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design to talk about his story of self-discovery through travel; studying landscape architecture; establishing a furniture rental company; finding mentorship in Mexico; co-founding Studio Ahead; collaborating with architects; and more. Enjoy!
ABOUT HOMAN
Homan Rajai is the driving force behind Studio AHEAD. He works intimately with clients to understand the narrative they want to create for their home, life, and brand. Blending his Middle Eastern heritage with his nomad experience living and working in Africa and Central America, Homan brings an eclectic multicultural view to all Studio projects. He uses his background in landscape architecture, fashion apparel, and high-end residential design to navigate between diverse media in design practice.
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Background
(12:05) Studying landscape architecture
“You're really thinking about how systems also function. So it’s always taking you from the micro to the macro. It starts where you're talking about something as small as someone's home, then it goes into someone's neighborhood, then it goes into a region, then it goes to a state, and then it goes to a country, and then goes global… which helps you to zoom out certain realities that people like to stick to.” (20:10)
(20:46) Transitioning into interior design after graduation
(43:56) Finding mentorship in Mexico
“I always just was a curious person and I was down for people who seemed interesting… I think things add up when you lean into your interests.” (56:05)
(01:11:57) About Studio Ahead
“People who come to us for art curation or work and they like the fact that we work with artists and want to add some of that energy in their home. We do projects on that level, and also all the way to full-on three-year projects where we're working with an architect to develop interior architecture, working with the landscape architect, and doing the interior design all the way to furniture, art, curation, flooring, window treatments, selecting the materials on the wall… and just developing the whole reality.” (01:24:47)
(01:41:17) Homan’s process and collaborating with other designers
“We always tell our clients, “Don't zoom in on the physical yet. Let's zoom out.” I’ll do a walk-through of the house and just kind of hear their needs. I don't give any ideas. I don't give anything. I just walk through and listen and then I come back to the office and create a questionnaire.” (01:42:06)
