Designed by Zandi, this home in Mirdiff is a unique example of his architectural execution.
Dubai has been the ideal setting for Zandi's artistic vision and mission. His love for the city began upon arrival in 1978, explaining; "Dubai with its souqs and windtower houses reminded me of my childhood spent in one of Tehran's oldest quarters: the Bazaar". The artist initially worked on the plans for an urban design competition based on the Creek side. The city was rich in opportunity for an architect and Zandi created the master plan for the Deira Creek Corniche project. Subsequently, he returned to the US for his post-graduate studies in urban design, architecture and town planning and it was not until 1980 that he returned to Dubai. Inquiring about his prior project, he was soon at work again, modifying his original design and transforming the creek in the process. Initially planning to stay for only six months or so, Zandi has remained in Dubai ever since. As a believer in fate he explains that his destiny; "It was a chance to use all my experience and all my travels. I had a city right here, under my hand - and that's not a chance that many people get."
Zandi with help of a few friends developed the first art institute in Dubai, where he also taught interior design, architecture and photography to a diverse mix of students including Shirley Kay, wife of then the British Consul General. The restoration of Sheikh Saeed's house and the some of the houses in Bastakiya district are just a couple of his preservation projects. In addition, he has helped maintain the traditional buildings of Dubai in many areas, both through restoration and insightful design in keeping with the city's distinctive architecture. Demolition of old areas of Dubai has always been a sensitive issue for Zandi as he laments the loss of the old, seeing it as damaging to history, culture and simply a waste of resources. He has encouraged the preservation of older, decrepit areas that may have fallen victim to Dubai's construction craze and desire to reinvent itself. Continuing his work, his newer projects evoke an element of the traditional. Whether it be villas on the Palm or townhouses, Zandi designs with people and environment in mind, creating optimum living spaces that emulate the essence of Emirati traditional design - wind towers, earth tones, landscape and working with water.
The plans for an upcoming urban architectural project demonstrate Zandi's vision for Dubai. Utilising his creative temperament, the proposal for this area included the plans for a traditional walled city boasting crafts and souqs, as well as a convincing twists and turns: Zandi fantasized an entire history for the area, composing a letter from a father to his son, discussing the historical town. Even though the site may seem antiquated and decrepit, it embodies total harmonious living with the important feeling of community through his promotion of rebuilding the past and the tradition. Strangely, he had already designed a new township in that same area in 1981 as the town planner working for the city. For Zandi it does not seem unusual, as ideas take time to develop. "A city is organic; it grows at its own pace - sometimes slow, sometimes fast. In this case, the plans took 25 years."
Zandi's belief in the flexibility of life leads him to pursue many projects. Photography is a natural passion, having taken his first pictures as a boy - "My camera has been like a faithful companion on all my trips", he explains. One of his most interesting projects was working with Michael Tobias on the photography book Dubai 24 Hours. While they were creating the superb images, film crews followed, making a documentary film, which is now a DVD.