At PARADIGM office we are designers and researchers who passionately believe everyone should have thoughtfully designed environments that nourish and sustain their lives. We do this by working across disciplines to manifest social change and re-envision the places we work, play, and gather in.
We believe that public interest design taps into our innate desire to create spaces that form healthy environments for our lives. Our job is to facilitate the manifestation of those needs and pass on the tools for empowerment through good design.
MERCEDES AFSHAR
FOUNDER, PRINCIPAL
Mercedes Afshar founded PARADIGM office as an avenue for navigating the art of design. Her focus is to educate, inspire, and challenge the everyday mundane via architecture, design, and creative direction!
Upon earning her bachelors & masters degrees in architecture - Mercedes has been working on commercial, residential, retail and interior projects inside and outside of the United States. Her keen eye for form and splendor combined with a modern flair and upscale sophistication attribute to her unique style.
MICHAEL FISCHER
PRINCIPAL, DESIGN DIRECTOR
Michael Fischer co-founded PARADIGM office as a way to promote health and well being through design. He looks to take complex design problems and distill them into thoughtful simple solutions that are sophisticated, elegant and timeless.
Upon earning degrees in architecture - Michael has been working on commercial, residential, retail and educational projects inside and outside of the United States. His dedication to both form and space layered with natural light, subtle color palettes and textures lead to design solutions that are tranquil, unique and sophisticated.
Bertin Radifera
Managing Director
Bertin Radifera plays a pivotal role at PARADIGM office, focusing on cultivating strong client relationships and ensuring design and documentation meet the highest standards.
With a commitment to construction excellence and successful project delivery, Bertin’s meticulous attention to clients' goals and his expertise in navigating complex jurisdictional processes have established him as a trusted partner, bringing clients back time and time again.
With degrees in Architecture and Building Sciences, Bertin brings over 25 years of experience as a registered architect, spanning a diverse range of projects. His portfolio includes large-scale commercial developments, multi-family housing, custom residential homes, educational and religious facilities, high-end commercial interiors, and tenant build-outs.
Bertin’s expertise covers all phases of project development, from space planning and feasibility studies to construction management. Known for his exceptional communication skills, he fosters collaboration among peers, clients, consultants, and contractors. Bertin has a proven track record of delivering high-quality designs on time and on budget, creating spaces that not only meet clients’ needs but also elevate their experiences and lifestyles.
Sarah Spanagel
Senior Project Architect
Sarah brings a skillful level of knowledge and experience to the Paradigm Office team. She values focus and care during the design process, in order to achieve a high quality constructed work.
Upon earning her Masters Degree in Architecture - Sarah has been working on commercial, residential, retail and educational projects with experience in all phases of the design and construction process. Her passion lies not only in conceptual development of a project, but also in the details; understanding how things go together. She brings the conceptual ideas to life!
Tanya Ally
Project Architect
Tanya Ally brings a unique combination of project architect and project management experience to the PARADIGM office team. She approaches the technical details of every project with a skilled design sense in order to achieve the highest quality finished product.
After earning her Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Tanya began her career exploring multiple project types ranging from small and large scale multi-family residential, historic renovation, adaptive reuse, and retail. Tanya understands the design, permitting, and delivery process and enjoys maintaining client and consultant relationships throughout the various phases. Throughout Tanya's 13+ years of experience she has seen several of her projects through all design phases spanning from pre-design through completed construction. Tanya has an excellent track record of communication, collaboration, and attention to detail, all of which have contributed to the success of her design work.
TARA MAZLOOMI
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Tara Mazloomi joined PARADIGM office fueled with an endless passion for design. With her instinctive eye for beauty and detail, her design style is authentic, sophisticated, and unlike the ordinary!
Upon earning her Masters Degree in Architecture as well as an advanced degree in Interior Design, Tara has been working on a variety of residential, commercial, and healthcare projects. With a focus on functional and creative design solutions she strives to create spaces that are timeless and that translate each client’s vision into reality.
Lubna Amer
Staff Architect
Lubna Amer joined PARADIGM office motivated by her passion for rethinking the built environment to create spaces that emphasize the importance of health and well-being of clients. With her emphasis on design functionality and her focus on detail, Lubna approaches every design challenge both from a conceptual and technical standpoint leading to the most creative and innovative solutions that meet the client needs.
Upon earning her bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Lubna has worked on educational, residential, and commercial projects. Her passion for architecture grows more with each and every design that positively impacts the world. Believing that Architecture represents how we see ourselves, as well as how we see the world, she thrives to create designs that are functional and promote health and well being.
Ramil Lacsa
Staff Architect
Ramil Lacsa joined PARADIGM office driven with a very pragmatic approach to the challenges we face in design. Ramil earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture and has been working on a variety of residential, commercial, and hospitality projects across the world.
He is as passionate in regards to sustainable design & historic preservation as he is about the science of architecture and the technicalities that the field entails!
DEEPALI AGGARWAL
Staff Architect
Deepali Aggarwal brings to PARADIGM office a passion for creating spaces that are both functional and inspiring. She approaches each project with a clear commitment to design clarity, thoughtful detailing, and a deep sensitivity to the human experience. Her goal is to craft environments that not only meet practical needs but also enhance well-being and reflect the lives of those who use them.
With a degree in Architecture and experience across both residential and commercial projects, Deepali has developed a versatile design perspective. She believes strongly that good design has the power to enrich everyday life and foster meaningful connections between people and the spaces they inhabit.
PEDRAM SOL
Interior Architect
Pedram Soleimany is an interior architect whose work explores the relationship between spatial design and human experience. His approach emphasizes the role of light, materiality, and the subtle details that define atmosphere and flow. With experience across residential, commercial, and workplace environments in diverse cultural settings, Pedram brings a human-centered perspective to every project.
Holding dual master’s degrees in Environmental Psychology and Industrial Design for Architecture, Pedram’s academic foundation underscores his commitment to creating spaces that are both thoughtful and deeply connected to daily life.
