The Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign is a laboratory for exploration and experimentation in architecture. Established upon the reputation and leadership of award-winning designer Mehrdad Yazdani, the studio leverages the best attributes of a small design studio with the resources and reach of our global practice.

The studio includes a diverse team of architects, designers, 3-D artists, technical specialists, and creative thinkers entirely committed to pushing the boundaries of design—from refining concepts of sustainability to the application of radically new technologies and urban initiatives.

Mehrdad Yazdani

Design Director

Named by Progressive Architecture as one of the world’s top emerging architects in 1990—just three years after graduating from Harvard University’s School of Design—Mehrdad Yazdani’s design philosophy is focused on maintaining an environment of exploration, tempered with a realistic sense of each client’s needs and pragmatic details. As a design principal within CannonDesign’s national practice and the director of the Yazdani Studio, he possesses deep experience designing complex design work across the globe. His buildings are responsive to context, climate and culture, while achieving enduring value with a conscientious respect for client budgets and schedules.

Throughout his career, Mehrdad’s work has garnered more than 120 major design awards and publication in national and international journals, including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Architectural Record, Dezeen, Fast Company, BusinessWeek and moreHis work has been exhibited around the world and is held in permanent collections at the MoMA and SFMOMA.


Leadership

Craig Booth

Principal

Michael Smith

FAIA, Principal

Jessica Yi

Senior Vice President

Nadine Quirmbach

Vice President

Craig has over 36 years of diverse architectural experience covering a wide range of project types. For the last 25 years, he has worked alongside Mehrdad Yazdani in the design and execution of projects, and has helped establish a clear design vision within the Yazdani Studio.

Craig is a multidisciplinary team leader capable of project execution from conceptual design through project completion. His work combines experimental design with a mature resolution of pragmatic requirements, along with a high degree of technical expertise.

Michael provides business and design management leadership on projects all over the world. He has more than 43 years of experience in a broad array of project typologies spanning education, healthcare, hospitality and commercial markets.

Michael’s collaborative projects have been widely published and recognized by numerous awards including AIA awards, International Design Awards, and ASHE Vista Award (a team collaboration award).

Jessica has more than 30 years’ experience in the architectural profession with a full range of responsibilities in planning, design, construction and quality control. As a versatile project manager, she combines vigilant leadership with deft oversight of systems, schedules, and objectives to ensure project success.

Attending simultaneously to the “big picture” and to the vast, multifaceted array of details that compose that picture, Jessica consistently maintains clear, efficient communication among all project stakeholders while implementing appropriate quality control methodologies that ensure projects fulfill client goals and aspirations.

Nadine is uniquely gifted with the ability to develop interior spaces that blend harmoniously with exterior architectural expression. She has extensive experience in a number of building types, ranging from performance and exhibition spaces to large-scale hospitals, learning environments and commercial projects. Regardless of building type, Nadine seeks to create interior environments that act as a canvas for memorable human experiences.


Mimi Lam

Associate Vice President

Joseph O'Neill

Senior Vice President

For more than 15 years, Mimi has practiced architecture at the intersection of art and design. Her process and methodology is rooted in the synthesis of explorative design, technical rigor and fine art. A senior designer in the Yazdani Studio, Mimi has contributed significantly to the design and development of award-winning projects ranging from expansive exhibits at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles and Jerusalem, UC San Diego Health’s Jacobs Medical Center, Ordos Concert Hall, the groundbreaking Gates Vascular Institute and more.

Joseph, a member of the Yazdani Studio since 1999, serves as the Quality Leader responsible for quality control of our technical documents.  He also is a specialist in exterior envelope design, and has led the development of the curtainwall design on projects ranging from CJ Blossom Park to Jacobs Medical Center


Team

2024 AIA Pasadena & Foothill Chapter, Merit The Resnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2024 AIA Pasadena & Foothill Chapter, Citation Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
2023 Los Angeles Business Council, Interiors Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles, Social Lab
2023 International Architecture Awards The Resnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2023 Architizer A+ Finalist The Resnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2023 Los Angeles Business Journal, Community Impact Award, Silver Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles, Social Lab
2023 Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Awards Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles, Social Lab
2022 Southern California Development Forum The Resnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2022 Southern California Development Forum Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles, Social Lab
2022 Los Angeles Business Council The Resnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2022 AIA NEXTLA Philadelphia Neurologic Institute
2022 Fast Company, Innovation X Design, Spaces and Places and General Excellence The Resnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2022 Fast Company, Innovation X Design, Experience Design Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles, Social Lab
2022 SEGD Global Design Awards, Honor Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles, Social Lab
2022 ARCHITECT’s Architecture & Interiors Awards, Cultural, Honor Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles, Social Lab
2022 ArchDaily, Building of the Year, Finalist Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
2022 My Green Building Conference and Expo (MyGBCE) Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
2021 The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
2021 AIA LA/ Next LA: Honor Award The Resnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2021 Fast Company: #2 Most Innovative Company in North America CannonDesign
2021 Rethinking the Future Awards, Top Institutional Project Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
2021 LABC Architectural Awards Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
2021 Fast Company Innovation by Design Award Mobile Museum of Tolerance
2021 Interior Design Magazine, Best of Year Award Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles, Social Lab
2020 Southern California Development Forum: Honor Award Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
2020 American Institute of Architects, San Fernando Valley: Merit Award Woodrow Wilson High School Performing Arts Addition
2020 ASLA San Diego: Merit Award UC San Diego Health’s Jacobs Medical Center
2019 American Society of Interior Designers: Outcome of Design Award University of Utah, Lassonde Studios
2019 American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles: Honor Award for Interior Architecture UC San Diego Health’s Jacobs Medical Center
2019 American Society for Healthcare Engineering: ASHE Award UC San Diego Health’s Jacobs Medical Center
2018 R&D Magazine: Lab of the Year Award CJ Blossom Park
2018 Los Angeles Business Council: Beyond LA Award UC San Diego Health, Jacobs Medical Center
2018 Student Housing Business: Best New Development University of Utah Lassonde Studios
2018 Association of College Unions International: Facility by Design Award University of Utah, Lassonde Studios
2018 Association of College Unions International: Award of Excellence University of Utah, Lassonde Studios
2017 International Interior Design Association, Intermountain: Best Award University of Utah, Lassonde Studios
2017 American Institute of Architects, San Diego: Divine Detail Award UC San Diego Health, Jacobs Medical Center
2017 International Interior Design Association: National Healthcare Award UC San Diego Health, Jacobs Medical Center
2017 American Institute of Architects, Orange County: Honor Award Kaiser Kraemer Radiation Oncology Center
2017 American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles: COTE Award Kaiser Kraemer Radiation Oncology Center
2017 Society of Facade Engineers: Top 10 Facade of 2017 CJ Blossom Park
2017 Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture & Design: International Architecture Award CJ Blossom Park
2017 American Institute of Architects, Chicago: Distinguished Building Award of Merit CJ Blossom Park
2017 American School & University: Residence Hall Award University of Utah, Lassonde Studios
2017 Healthcare Design Showcase: Award of Merit UC San Diego Health, Jacobs Medical Center
2017 American Institute of Architects: National Healthcare Design Award UC San Diego Health, Jacobs Medical Center
2017 SXSW Education: Learn by Design Award University of Utah, Lassonde Studios
2017 International Interior Design Association, Best of Asia Pacific Awards: Overall Award CJ Blossom Park
2017 International Interior Design Association, Best of Asia Pacific Awards: Corporate Project Award CJ Blossom Park
2016 Southern California Development Forum Award: Merit Award, Institutional UC San Diego Health, Jacobs Medical Center
2016 Southern California Development Forum Award: Merit Award, Institutional Kaiser Kraemer Radiation Oncology Center
2016 American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles: Architecture Award Kaiser Kraemer Radiation Oncology Center
2016 American Institute of Architects, Chicago: Citation Award, Architecture CJ Blossom Park
2016 American Institute of Architects, Chicago: Citation Award, Interiors CJ Blossom Park
2016 American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles: Interiors Award CJ Blossom Park
2016 The Chicago Athenaeum: American Architecture Award Armenian American Museum Design
2016 The Chicago Athenaeum: American Architecture Award CJ Blossom Park
2016 Healthcare Design Showcase: Merit Award Kaiser Kraemer Radiation Oncology Center
2016 American Institute of Architects: National Healthcare Award Kaiser Kraemer Radiation Oncology Center
2015 Kaiser Permanente Design Excellence Award Kaiser Kraemer Radiation Oncology Center
2015 ENR Regional: Best Projects Award, Healthcare Kaiser Kraemer Radiation Oncology Center
2015 American Institute of Architects, San Diego: Merit Award UC San Diego Health, Jacobs Medical Center
2015 International Interior Design Association: Caliber Award, Leisure & Entertainment Anne Frank Exhibit at Museum of Tolerance
2014 International Design Awards: Silver Award University of Utah, Lassonde Studios
2014 American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles: Next LA, Citation Award Luxelake Bridge in Chengdu, China
2014 International Design Awards: First Prize, Industrial & Life Science UC San Diego Health, Jacobs Medical Center
2014 Contract Magazine: Annual Interior Awards, Exhibition Category Anne Frank Exhibit at Museum of Tolerance
2013 LA Architectural Awards: Best in Hospitality Jack Nicklaus Golf Clubhouse
2013 Contract Magazine: Interiors Award, Large Healthcare Gates Vascular Institute
2013 Buildings’ ABBY (America’s Best Buildings of the Year) Awards: Citation of Merit Gates Vascular Institute
2013 AIA/AHA National Healthcare Design Award: Innovations in Planning & Design Research Gates Vascular Institute
2013 Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) / New York Council Professional Design Awards: Bronze Award of Honor Gates Vascular Institute
2013 The Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award Gates Vascular Institute
2013 The Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award Gates Vascular Institute
2013 Architizer A+ Awards: Finalist Recognition Gates Vascular Institute
2013 Business First of Buffalo Brick-By-Brick Awards: Golden Brick Gates Vascular Institute
2013 FX International Interior Design Awards: Finalist, Public Sector Gates Vascular Institute
2013 International Academy for Design and Health: Academy Award, Interior Design Gates Vascular Institute
2013 World Interior News Design Award: First Place, Public Sector Gates Vascular Institute
2012 ASID New York Upstate/ Canada East: First Place, over 3000 sf Gates Vascular Institute
2012 AIA Los Angeles: Citation Award Gates Vascular Institute
2012 AIA Western New York: Honor Award, Interior Architecture Gates Vascular Institute
2012 Interior Design Magazine Best of 2012 Awards: Honoree, Healthcare Gates Vascular Institute
2011 Southern California Development Forum: Design Award, Institutional Buildings Chaparral Science Hall Building
2010 AIA Western New York: Award of Merit, Unbuilt Gates Vascular Institute
2010 Southern California Development Forum Price Center East
2010 AIA San Fernando Valley Chapter: Merit Award Chaparral Science Hall Building
2010 AIA California Council: Merit Award Price Center East
2010 AIA Los Angeles: Merit Award Gates Vascular Institute
2010 AIA Los Angeles: Merit Award, Next LA Toledo Federal Courthouse
2010 AIA Los Angeles: Citation Award Toledo Federal Courthouse
2009 AIA San Fernando Valley : Merit Award Chaparral Science Hall Building
2009 AIA Cleveland: Honor Award Toledo Federal Courthouse
2009 AIA Cleveland: Honor Award for Unbuilt Work Toledo Federal Courthouse
2009 AIA Cleveland: Merit Award for Unbuilt Work Cedar-University Rapid Station
2009 AIA San Diego: Honor Award Price Center East
2009 IIDA: International Design Award 2009 Museum of Tolerance
2008 AIA Los Angeles: Next LA Merit Award Ordos Concert Hall
2007 Miami Bienal: Silver Medal Price Center East
2007 SARA: Design Award Hauptman-Woodward Institute
2007 AIA Long Beach/South Bay: Design Award CSU Dominguez Hills Loker Student Union
2007 AIA Long Beach/South Bay: Design Award Long Beach GTE Middle School
2007 AIA Los Angeles: Next LA, Honor Award Chaparral Science Hall Building
2007 AIA Los Angeles: Next LA, Merit Award Nanotech Park Buildings
2006 AIA Los Angeles: Next LA, Honor Award Mary’s Guest House
2006 AIA Los Angeles: Honor Award Price Center East
2005 National Association of Industrial and Office Properties: Award for Outstanding Design Hauptman-Woodward Institute
2005 AIA Western New York: Honor Award Hauptman-Woodward Institute
2005 AIA San Diego: Honor Award Price Center East
2005 The Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award Price Center East
2005 The Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award: Sustainable Design Award Guangzhou TV and Sightseeing Tower Competition
2005 Los Angeles Business Council Santa Monica Public Safety Facility
2004 Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada: Honor Award Clark County Detention Center
2004 AIA Los Angeles: Next LA Award Guangzhou TV and Sightseeing Tower Competition
2004 AIA Los Angeles: Merit Award Clark County Detention Center
2004 The Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award Duxton Plain Housing Competition
2003 AIA Justice Facility Design: Citation for Design Excellence Lloyd D. George U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse
2002 AIA Los Angeles: Next LA Award Tomihiro Museum of Shi-Ga
2001 AIA Los Angeles: Merit Award Lloyd D. George U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse
2001 AIA California Council: Merit Award Lloyd D. George U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse
2001 AIA Nevada: Honor Award Lloyd D. George U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse
2001 AIA California Council: Honor Award Vermont/Santa Monica Metro Station
2001 AIA Los Angeles: Merit Award Vermont/Santa Monica Metro Station
2000 AIA Los Angeles: Honor Award Lloyd D. George U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse
2000 The Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award Vermont/Santa Monica Metro Station
2000 AIA Los Angeles: Honor Award El Sereno Pool & Recreation Center
2000 AIA Los Angeles: Merit Award Vermont/Santa Monica Metro Station
1999 AIA Los Angeles: Citation El Sereno Pool & Recreation Center
1999 Los Angeles Business Council: Urban Beautification Award Sinai Temple Akiba Academy Expansion

YearPublicationProject
2023Medical Construction & Design UChicago Medicine Cancer Pavilion
2023Off Plan Property Exchange UChicago Medicine Cancer Pavilion
2023Architect's Newspaper UChicago Medicine Cancer Pavilion
2023Global Design News Resnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2023Urbanize Resnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2023UChicago Medicine News UChicago Medicine Cancer Pavilion
2023Archinect Resnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2023Construction WeekAddress Harbor Point
2023MojehAddress Harbor Point
2023Visit DubaiAddress Harbor Point
2023Time Out DubaiAddress Harbor Point
2023Building Design + ConstructionLassonde Studio
2022Archinect Resnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2022Archinect Museum of Tolerance, Social Lab
2022University of Utah Health University of Utah, Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine
2022Dezeen Resnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2021MetropolisKaiser Permanente School of Medicine
2021ArchDailyKaiser Permanente School of Medicine
2021ArchDaily ChinaKaiser Permanente School of Medicine
2021ArchinectResnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2021The Architect's NewspaperResnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2021The Architect's Newspaper
Mobile MOT
2021ABC7 Chicago
Mobile MOT
2021Healthcare Design MagazinePhiladelphia Neurologic Institute (PNI)
2020Urbanize LAResnick Sustainability Center at Caltech
2020design wantedYazdani Studio
2019UrbanLandLassonde
2019EdSurgeLassonde
2019Sign of the TimesAnne Frank
2018Contract MagazineMehrdad Yazdani
2018Contract MagazineLassonde
2018CLAD MagazineYazdani Studio
2018CLAD MagazineMehrdad Yazdani
2018Lab of the YearCJ Blossom Park
2018The Architect's NewspaperUC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center
2018dezeenUC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center
2018CurbedYazdani Studio
2017CurbedMehrdad Yazdani
2017Contract MagazineUC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center
2017Business InsiderLassonde
2017Student Housing Business MagazineLassonde
2017CNNUC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center
2017Architect MagazineCJ Blossom Park
2017SXSW EDULassonde
2017Dubai ChronicleAddress Harbor Point
2017Architectural DigestLassonde
2017Fast Co.Yazdani Studio
2016Kraemer Radiation Oncology CenterKraemer Radiation Oncology Center
2016Healthcare DesignKraemer Radiation Oncology Center
2016DezeenKraemer Radiation Oncology Center
2014ArchDailyLassonde Studios
2013The PlanHauptman-Woodward Institute
2013New York Times"Anne"
2012Flair Magazine Bollywood Museum
2012ark magazineBollywood Museum
2012Interior CreationsBollywood Museum
2011Purpose MagazineBollywood Museum
2011The PlanChaparral Hall Science Building
2011ofARCH MagazineHauptman-Woodward Institute
2011ArchDailyBollywood Museum
2010www.revitoped.comOrdos Concert Hall
2010Sharestan MagazineYazdani Studio
2010Buffalo Spree MagazineGates Vascular Institute
2010Umraan MagazineChaparral Hall Science Building
2010ArchiteriaChaparral Hall Science Building
2010American ArchitectsChaparral Hall Science Building
2010ArchDailyChaparral Hall Science Building
2010ArchNow
Chaparral Hall Science Building
2010Building Design + ConstructionChengdu Bridges
2010ArchisceneQueensland Gallery of Modern Art
2010California Home and DesignUCSD Price Center East
2010Milimet DesignUCSD Price Center East
2010Abitare MagazineYazdani Studio
2010UC San Diego News CenterUCSD Price Center East
2010ArchDailyUCSD Price Center East
2010ofARCHUCSD Price Center East
2010Chinese and Overseas ArchitectureUCSD Price Center East
2010www/design-daily.comTaj Lands End Hotel
2010PlusMoodTaj Lands End Hotel
2010Contract MagazineUCSD Price Center East
2010RevitOrdos Concert Hall
2009Architectural RecordUCSD Price Center East
2009Architecture and CultureUCSD Price Center East