7/28/15
AIA PF August 2015
Newsletter
Member
Spotlight – Nazanin Zarkesh, AIA
If not now,
never
By
Lance Bird , FAIA
Principal
LCDG
July 1st
Nazanin and Lance met for lunch at Universal CityWalk to talk about her recent move
to Universal Studios Hollywood-Creative. Nazanin was with LCDG for nearly 13
years.
LB: What inspired you to move from a traditional
architectural practice to become a Corporate Architect?
NZ: I always wanted
to experience a larger firm with more opportunities for growth. I was at a
point in my life that I needed a big change. If not now, never. As we get older, it gets harder to make
changes and who would say “no” to Universal Studios. I like the short
commute. I’m able to attend more of my
son’s school activities. His school is
in the neighborhood. I’m getting to know
my own community.
LB: What are the notable differences in your day
to day activities?
NZ: Walk in the Park and CityWalk. More meetings.
More stakeholders. Lots of new
things to learn and to do for each projects (which I love). It’s challenging not to know the players,
rules and language. I worry less about
getting plan check approval as I hire A-E firms to do that part. But I review
their drawings to make sure they are coordinated and meet the project’s intent.
LB: What are the challenges…and the fun aspects
of Universal?
NZ: The challenges
have to do with so many unknowns (I’m a newcomer). Politics.
I need to keep everyone informed and happy, yet I can’t always be the
nice guy. Every project has a specific
goal, budget and schedule. The most
important one is the schedule. There is a
short period in the year when most construction happens. At Universal, it’s
about keeping our “guests” happy.
I like the social part.
They are laid back and fun. They
joke and laugh. There are more choices for friends. This is the entertainment world. They talk about movies, concerts and what’s
new in the park. By working here, we
become a member of the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and can attend
events for free. It’s fun to walk
through the park and have our projects right here.
LB: Do you think working in the entertainment
industry takes a certain personality/ aptitude?
NZ: Absolutely. You have to be flexible and sociable. If criticized, you have to remain open and
learn from it. An older person might
have a hard time.
LB: Would you suggest this kind of move to your
colleagues?
NZ: Yes. You will learn from any change. The
entertainment industry is different from the typical office and school projects
I was doing. Working as the owner project manager, I need to know every little
detail of the existing infrastructure to inform the A-E and the contractor. I
have learned so much about electrical requirements, amps, watts, circuit breakers
-- things I relied on my consultants for, but now need to know so I am on top
of my game.
LB: As a Corporate project manager, you are
working with architects from the other side of the table – can you share any
shortcomings you see AND/OR positive attributes of architects you are working
with?
NZ: There are so
many in house coordination needs to be done, so when it is time to hire/work
with an architect, we need someone who is responsive, provides a complete
proposal and is easy to work with. Our frustration is working with A-E teams
that do poorly coordinated work. We
appreciate firms who are proactive not reactive.
