Mehrdad Rahbar was born in Iran, moved to Canada in his teens. He studied Architecture at McGill University. and specialized in Community Development and Affordable Housing. He is the founder and principal of Vernacular Group, a design and land development company in BC. Rahbar is also the recipient of a number of BC’s design awards. With his company he has been involved in many affordable and innovative residential projects working with Canadian federal, provincial and local governments, and First Nations.

In addition, he is a celebrated artist who has installed two major public art sculptures. His most recent sculpture “When Women Rise” was installed at the UBC Campus in 2018. As a painter, his works have been exhibited in Canada and the United States.

Rahbar is also the Spokesperson for Phoenix Academy for Arts & Culture for Iran.

Lucca and Rebecca explore how Mehrdad thinks outside the box and calls for awakening!