Meet Neda + Zabie Studio MUKA | Architecture + Interior Design Office

We had the good fortune of connecting with Neda + Zabie Studio MUKA and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Neda + Zabie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Over the past few years we’ve honestly become increasingly more comfortable with risk and risk taking. The reality is that the risk of failing or losing out on something can often trick the mind and can refrain you from taking steps that allow for personal and professional growth. In business, especially when starting a new business, everything is a risk. The risk of not knowing what the next project will be. The risk of leading projects and taking on the responsibility of fulfilling the client’s needs while also creating beautiful work and working well with a team of builders and artisans to complete a project on time. The risk of putting more time, money, and energy than you ever thought you would invest into something without absolutely knowing the outcome. But all these risks fade away (though they do still loom in the background) once you cross a threshold and truly believe that your work will make a powerful impact and has the power to inspire people. We jumped into our business with full belief that we would succeed, but the hurdles along the way do test you. The most important thing is to believe in the power that your devotion will slowly but surely attract the world to your small curious corner.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We are an architecture and interior design practice with a core focus on crossing boundaries between the disciplines of buildings, interiors, and objects. What sets us apart is that we look at each project holistically, whether it be a gut renovation, a ground up building, or a project solely focused on furnishings and finishes, we look at it through our unique lens. With every project, our strength is to harmonize the feeling and atmosphere of a given space or site with it’s final built shape and form. We go through a process of uncovering meaning with each endeavor and that concept drives almost all decisions along the way. We pride ourselves in being rooted in history while always having our focus on the future and innovation. Our laser focus and our devotion to our discipline truly is what drives us.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
1. Check out the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. 2. Visit architectural gems of the city ie. the Schindler Kings Road House in West Hollywood, The Hollyhock House in Hollywood, the Stahl House, and the Neutra VDL house to name a few.
3. Head to Malibu for some Sea Bass curry by the beach at Cholada Thai on PCH.
4. Check out the amazing antiques at Philip Stites and JF Chen
5. Never miss a trip to LA without good sushi in the Valley at Little Brothers or Go’s Mart
6. Also never miss a trip to LA without a late night at In-N-Out – DM us for our favorite order 😉

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We would like to dedicate our shoutout to the incredible crews of builders, makers, and artisans we have had the privilege to work with. We also would like to dedicate this to our previous mentors, Pam Shamshiri of Studio Shamshiri and Richard Petit of The Archers who are such inspiring leaders.

Website: studio-muka.com

Instagram: @studio.muka

Image Credits
Taghi Naderzad William Jess Laird