Karim Asarzadeh
Richmond, VA | (804) 803-6175 | asarzadehk@vcu.edu | Linkedin.com/in/asarzadehk | Portfolio
Architectural & Interior Designer
MFA Interior Design candidate with a background in architecture and experience in residential projects. Brings a holisticdesignapproachthatintegratesarchitecturalthinkingwithinteriordesignsensitivity.Passionateabouthand sketching for visual thinking, concept development, and design communication. Skilled in:
• AutoCAD
• Revit
• SketchUp
• Enscape
Experience
Interior Design Intern
• Space Planning
• Conceptual Design
• Schematic Design
• Design Development
• Hand Sketching
• 3D Modeling
• Visualization & Rendering
• Material Selection
Poole & Poole Architecture | Glen Allen, VA Feb 2025 – Aug 2025
• Developed interior design concepts for multifamily amenity spaces and residential units
• Prepared presentation materials for internal reviews and client presentations
• Researched furniture, finishes, and lighting to support design proposals
• Participated in site visits to document conditions and take measurements
Entry-Level Architectural Designer
Sharestan Consultant Architects | Tehran, Iran April 2023 – July 2024
• Developed conceptual and schematic designs for residential projects
• Prepared construction documents and presentation materials for residential projects
• Researched local building codes, zoning regulations, and residential design standards
• Conducted site analysis to document views, circulation, climate, topography, etc.
Education
MFA, Interior Design Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA Expected May 2026
Master’s Degree, Architecture Art University of Isfahan | Isfahan, Iran July 2018
Bachelor’s Degree, Architecture University of Guilan | Rasht, Iran Sep 2014
Awards & Honors
• Winner, Architectural Record’s Cocktail Napkin Sketch Contest (Student Category, 2025)
Publications & Presentations
• Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition Participant, Virginia Commonwealth University (2025)
• Co-author, “An Investigation into the Impact of Daylight on the Perceived Color of Façade,” Color Research & Application (2019). https://doi.org/10.1002/col.22344
Certifications
• Credential Evaluation for U.S. Equivalency, World Education Services (WES), 2022
Languages
• Persian (Native), English (Professional), French (Elementary)