Guest Speaker: Sima Tawakoli

Sima Tawakoli is an architect working with the Division of Conservation and Development at Contra Costa County. She is also an Assistant Professor at Cañada College and teaches architectural lighting through programs at the Pacific Energy Center (PEC) and PG&E in San Francisco. Her work focuses on the relationship between lighting, sustainability, and human well-being, with a particular interest in how lighting design can be more thoughtfully integrated into architectural education.

Sima has been actively involved with professional organizations including the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), where she previously served as President of the San Francisco Section and currently supports the SF-LUX Illumination Awards. She also serves as an Educational Leader for the Architectural Lighting Application and Well-Being Division at 16500 in Emeryville, California.

She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Arizona, with research centered on strengthening architectural lighting within architecture curricula. Through teaching, research, and professional practice, she regularly shares insights on lighting, sustainability, and human-centered design at academic and professional forums.

Prior to working in the United States, Sima practiced architecture in Iran, including work with the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization in Tehran. Her professional background includes projects in historic and contemporary contexts, with one recent project in Yazd receiving international recognition such as being a nominee for UNESCO- Heritage award. She holds a Master of Design and Industry from San Francisco State University and a Master of Architecture and Urban Design from Tehran Azad University, and remains engaged with organizations such as IES, IALD, AIA, and related design communities.

Recording of the presentation:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vhgE_PiYqI7lPQqdfmLWDOXo5Mb8w7cE/view?usp=sharing