TABE SHOURI

At TABE SHOURI, we believe that architecture shapes the human experience, the community, and the city. For us, architecture is more than just the physical structures that surround us. It is a powerful force that shapes our lives in profound ways. It influences our interactions, our sense of identity, and our collective experiences within communities and cities.

Human-center design

The Human Dimension within our architecture considers Psychological Well-being. The design of spaces can significantly impact our emotional state. Natural light, ventilation, and access to green spaces have been shown to reduce stress and improve overall mental health. Indeed, communities need Social Interaction for their growth. Architecture can facilitate or hinder social interaction. Spaces designed to encourage gathering and community engagement can foster a sense of belonging and connection. Moreover, Identity and Culture are part of the DNA of each city. The architecture of buildings on a small scale for communities often reflects cultural values and historical context. They can serve as symbols of identity and heritage, reinforcing a sense of place.

The power of place in community

Our design approach and process in making promotes Community Building.  In our interactions with communities, we encourage Well-designed public spaces, such as parks, plazas, and markets, that can serve as gathering places where communities come together. This allows for collective growth through collective thinking. Architecture can create shared experiences, inviting people to engage and be part of a community in a place.  The architecture promotes living. The quality of an architecture could be measured through the quality of Social Inclusion within its users. Inclusive design principles can ensure that architecture is accessible to all, regardless of age, ability, or socioeconomic status.

The power of architecture in city

Tabe Shouri’s Architecture besides the architecture made by other professionals is Shaping the City. We consider finding the Urban Identity for all our projects. The architectural character of a city contributes to its unique identity and image. Iconic landmarks and the historic significance of buildings can define a city’s character and make cohesive communities. This allows for Social, Cultural, and Economic Growth. We believe that Architecture is a key part of these developments. Attractive and functional buildings can attract humans, communities, and cultural-social-economical institutions to a city’s prosperity. A city with well-aware humans and strong communities guarantees a Sustainable growth and future for coming generations.

 

At Tabe Shouri we practice an architecture that is not merely a utilitarian function, but a powerful tool that can enhance our lives, strengthen communities, and shape the character of cities. By carefully considering the human dimensions, community needs, and the broader urban context, we can create spaces that inspire, connect, and enrich our lives.

Flood Energy - Winning Proposal at Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) for Resilliency of Rockaway

As the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, the architecture industry is at the forefront of innovation. By embracing carbon-conscious and renewable materials, Tabe Shouri creates sustainable buildings that minimize their environmental impact. From timber construction to innovative bio-based materials, the possibilities for sustainable design are endless. By prioritizing these materials, we can not only combat climate change but also create healthier, more resilient, and aesthetically pleasing living and working spaces.

Human-centered design places people at the heart of the architectural process. By understanding the needs, desires, and behaviors of occupants, we can create spaces that are not only comfortable and functional but also promote well-being and a sense of connection. Sustainable architecture goes beyond energy efficiency and resource conservation. 

It is about designing spaces that inspire and educate. Architecture can play a crucial role in raising environmental awareness. Through thoughtful design choices, at Tabe Shouri we Showcase sustainable materials and technologies, by highlighting innovative solutions that reduce the environmental impact of buildings. Our architecture

is dedicated to creating a fair and environmentally friendly world. We take a comprehensive and eco-conscious approach to our projects, striving to minimize their carbon impact. This approach promotes sustainable behaviors, by designing spaces that encourage energy conservation, waste reduction, and responsible consumption.

Our deep connection to water began early in our careers when we witnessed the devastating decline of Lake Urmia, a local endorheic salt lake. This environmental crisis ignited our curiosity and prompted us to delve deeper into the complexities of water. We sought to understand water’s essence, its impact on the environment, and the consequences of its misuse. We aimed to trace the evidence of global water scarcity and the threats facing our water sources. Water has been a recurring theme throughout our professional journey.

Credit: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

Cities wouldn’t exist without water. Water is a substance with no shape. It shapes itself to the shape of the container that holds it. Yet, life wouldn’t continue without this shapeless substance on the planet. Mass immigration and devastating downturn of living conditions in coastline cities because of flooding and offshore cities because of drought are in perspective if humans run out of options in providing a water-safe future for their development and use. With a unique architectural approach, this proposal will offer alternate solutions to the flooding and shortage of water issues in shoreline and offshore cities introducing a system that aims to transit water from shorelines, purify it to a usable level, and distribute it in cities where access to water is in decline.

SOLID | LIQUID

ICE MELTING LEADING TO SEA LEVEL RISING

Global warming is to blame for the disappearing glaciers in the world. NASA’s study on glaciers in Alaska shows that within almost a century more ice blocks melted as a result of temperature rise and on a global scale the sea level rise has become an issue universally. Coastline cities going underwater or losing territories on shoreline developments have been in the news with more sequence since the start of the 21st century. This character of water in changing its shape from solid to liquid causes urban settlements and hard lands to go under water-losing areas. What does the Architecture of shoreline cities need to imply to adopt?

Alaska Glacier retreat (Ice Melting => Sea Level Rising)

LIQUID | CYCLONE

 

AGGRESSIVE WAVES, FLOODING, AND HURRICANES

 

Aggressive waters make the life of the shoreline cities difficult by causing physical damage to their infrastructure and man-made developments. US insurance companies apply more restricted policies to avoid covering damages made by flood conditions and authorities face significant challenges protecting residents and businesses. High-speed winds and cyclones bring raised waters in the shape of aggressive
waves, flooding, and hurricanes to the coastline cities. This character of water makes it hard to control volume and pressure to avoid damage. What architecture of shoreline cities done and will need to do to remedy the impact of aggressive waters?

Satellite Captures Four Tropical Cyclones from Space (Flooding and Hurricane)

LIQUID | AIR

 

EVAPORATION, SURFACE WATER LOSS

 

What temperature does to water is interesting. Heat turns the solid ice block to liquid and more heat evaporates the liquid water to steam and air. Key players in global warming are sun radiation, heated air, thinned ozone layer, and the water Eco-sys­tem. In off-shore cities where the water sources are diminishing and water scarcity becomes a challenge for urban settlements, the power is in controlling the evaporation rate of surface waters. This will have a direct impact on agriculture, the countryside, the suburbs, and the cities. The migration of farmers to cities due to lack of access to water in their farmlands is one of the most common issues in growing cities.

What architecture can do to preserve, maintain, and reuse water on an urban scale?

Steam and Ash Plume over Tinakula Island (Earth Observatory)

Tabe Shouri is a New York-based international architectural firm established in 2017. Our extensive experience and diverse skillset allow us to tailor solutions for each project. With a creative, energetic, and inclusive team, we are dedicated to exploring how architecture can address the evolving needs of our world through humanism, community, and city.

Commitments Beyond the Norm

We approach our projects with an open mind, always seeking innovative solutions to complex problems. Our global work extends beyond the confines of traditional project briefs, focusing on creating spaces that are not only functional but also deeply rooted in social and cultural significance. We collaborate with like-minded individuals who share our passion for designing human-centered urban environments that enrich the lives of communities worldwide. By challenging conventional approaches and embracing creativity, we strive to leave a lasting positive impact on the world around us.

The Politics and The Humans

We have a wide range of experience working on projects of all sizes, from small-scale buildings to large-scale urban developments. Through our work in various sectors, including social, cultural, and corporate, we have gained a deep understanding of how architecture and urban planning can shape the character of a place. Regardless of the project’s scope, our goal is to create spaces that promote public life and contribute positively to the community. We believe that all architecture, regardless of its size or purpose, has a public and political dimension as it affects our lives and the communities we inhabit.

Collaborative Conversations

Open and honest communication is essential for the successful development of our projects from initial concept to final completion. We foster collaboration among our team members, including partners, associates, and project teams, as well as with external stakeholders such as politicians and craftsmen. This collaborative approach ensures that all perspectives are considered throughout the project’s lifecycle, strengthening our relationships with clients.

Empowering Individuals

We are dedicated to supporting professional development at all stages of a career, from early-stage apprenticeships to lifelong learning opportunities. We maintain strong relationships with universities and other educational institutions to facilitate knowledge sharing and growth. We encourage the exchange of knowledge among our project teams through dedicated platforms and offer training programs with external organizations. We believe that personal and professional growth is essential for shaping the future of cities, and we actively promote and support it within our diverse community.

Founded by Fereshteh Tabe and Amir Shouri, Tabe Shouri works internationally on both public and private commissions, with a focus on humanizing cities. Our works have been widely focused on cultural, civic, housing, and educational buildings. We bring over 15 years of experience in the design and construction of large and small-scale projects in the US and abroad. Our past collaborations with world-renowned architecture companies include a wide spectrum of cultural and civic buildings; Center Pompidou Jersey City, 11th Street Bridge Park by Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), Columbia University Manhattan Campus, and Lenfest Center for the Arts by Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) + Davis Brody Bond (DBB), besides residential developments by Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA)

Affiliations

Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE)

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, NCARB Certified

Registered Architect (NY, PA)

U.S. Green Building Council, LEED AP BD+C

American Institute of Architects (AIA)

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

Selected Awards & Recognistions

Royal Institute of British Architects, The White Mosque, London. Finalist

Le Biennale Di Venezia, Archinfo, Pavilion of Finland, Italy. Finalist

Anis Gallery, Forest Hill incubator space, London. Finalist

Urban Confluence, USA. Community Panel Selected Entry

Fundació Mies van der Rohe, ”Fear of Columns“, Spain. Second Prize

American Architecture Prize, Cultural Building, World-wide

Guggenheim Helsinki, Finland. Creative Credit License

Land Art Generator Inititave, New Energies, Denmark. Finalist

MoMA PS1, Rockaway Call for Ideas, USA. Wining Proposal