Welcome to OPN
OPN is thrilled to welcome a talented group that hails from around the globe. We’re excited for the perspective and passion they will bring and contribute to our studios. Welcome!
Marzieh Akhgari, OPN Cedar Rapids
Where are you from? Iran, Tehran
What do you like about the industry? Making new things, innovation, and thinking in different ways that bring happiness and comfort to people.
What inspires your work? Following successful people, and learning new things every day.
What animal would you be and why? Eagle, for a different vision, fearlessness, and strength.
When did you know you wanted to be an architect or designer? When I was 4 years old.
Alec Burk, OPN Cedar Rapids
Where are you from? Chadron, Nebraska
What do you like about the industry? I love the freedom of design and experimentation that combines to improve both the built environment as well as positively affect people’s lives.
What inspires your work? Having the ability to change people’s lives through design and the satisfaction of seeing a design come to a constructed reality.
If there was a movie about your life, who would star as you? Ted from How I Met Your Mother
When did you know you wanted to be an architect or designer? I was always interested in design and carpentry as a kid/high schooler. When I was taking an intro to drafting class in high school, my teacher told me about his brother who was an architect. I had never really known what an architect really did so did my research ad decided to do the summer architecture camp at University of Nebraska Lincoln and knew it was what I wanted to do. There was a connection to my interests in carpentry and design, and I quickly dove in headfirst.
Andrew Kandalec, OPN Cedar Rapids
Where are you from? Ludington, Michigan
What do you like about the industry? I really appreciate that architecture gives me the opportunity to think critically and creatively while tackling a broad range of issues.
What inspires your work? My love for nature, art, and problem-solving is what inspires me the most.
What is one way you’d like architecture or design to evolve? I’d love for architecture to evolve to include stewardship.
If you were a cake, which flavor would you be and why? I’d be a pie because …you know… it’s better.
Tom Goetz, OPN Des Moines
Where are you from? Clive, Iowa
What do you like about the industry? There is a sort of world-building aspect to architecture. Every project has new clients, a new team, and new challenges. I enjoy tackling those challenges and making a space that is fulfilling for everyone involved.
What inspires your work? One thing I am inspired by is learning how things are made. Not only the physical process of making but the social processes we organize ourselves in to get projects done.
What is one way you’d like architecture or design to evolve? There are areas where beauty and excellence do not exist but could, focus on those.
Do you have a mantra or saying that you remind yourself of during projects? Don’t make mistakes!
Marilyn Stephanou, OPN Des Moines
Where are you from? I was born and raised in Cyprus. I am half Greek Cypriot and half American.
What do you like about the industry? Architecture is a way of communicating ideas, bringing people and communities together. It is about giving importance to design and its real-world functionality from the smallest to the largest scale. To me, the success of architecture always relies on the synergy between design and habitation.
What inspires your work? The fact that I am able to design something that can make a real difference and inspire the way people live their everyday lives. I also enjoy the fact that every day is a learning experience. By working, I am able to learn new things and constantly improve my skills, and at the same time, learn new ones.
What is one way you’d like architecture or design to evolve? I would want to see architecture convert to 100% sustainable design.
What is your favorite podcast? My Favorite Murder