“Breaking Barriers” with Rachel (Rahil) Zarpoush
Technical Designer, Gensler Oakland, CA

Rachel (Rahil) Zarpoush is a Technical Designer at Gensler Oakland, CA office. As a deaf designer, Rachel enjoys using her experience and skills to contribute to the inclusive design of commercial spaces and is currently working on aviation projects.

Rachel graduated from the University of Arizona in 2017 with her second Master of Architecture degree minoring in Design and Energy Conservation. Prior to that, she also earned her bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 2009 along a Master’s degree in Architecture in 2013 from the Azad University in Iran. Rachel has been fond of painting since her childhood and secured first position in every art competition at school. ​Having been an architecture student for 10 years, she constantly explores various disciplines to broaden her own artistic pursuits, integrating a fine art background with architecture design studies.

Her professional experience stretches six years working on various Architectural projects and two years teaching Architecture at the university of Azad. During her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and mostly, watercolor painting!

Please join us on February 1st to hear more about Rachel’s story as an emerging designer, her artistic journey from Iran to the U.S., and how she strives to open more doors for deaf designers in the AEC field.

ENGAGE is a series focusing on opportunities to connect architects and designers with each other and our communities, elevating the value of design and celebrating the contributions of those who bring diverse experiences, views, and needs into the design process.