Shirin Amin is an architect, business owner, and asset manager based in Los Angeles. She has studied architecture and design in the Middle East, Europe, and North America, and holds professional degrees from schools in Iran, Paris, and Los Angeles. Her diverse training combines a love for classical structure and history with creative freedom found in American design.
From 2005 to 2015, Shirin managed her own design firm, Shirina Design, where she primarily focused on residential remodelling projects. Currently, she focuses on luxury real estate development, farming projects, and stock investments. One of her biggest milestones was managing the land purchase, design setup, and permits for a major property project that was eventually sold for $44 million. She believes that design is a powerful way to expand how we see the world, and she uses that perspective to bring large-scale projects to life.
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Q: What was the inspiration behind the $44 million luxury land development project?
Shirin Amin: We originally bought the piece of land because we wanted to build a personal property there. We put a lot of personal care and planning into every detail. My architectural background was helpful from the start, because I believe every line drawn needs a clear purpose and a mix of practicality and style. We spent a lot of time looking at the land itself to figure out how a house could best fit into the space. That early passion and personal focus really set the stage for what the property would eventually become.
Q: You were heavily involved in this project. What was the process like?
Shirin Amin: I was never just focused on the interior decorating side of things. I was on the ground. I collaborated with other designers and contributed to the master plan. Good management means keeping a single vision alive amid many moving parts, so I looked after the small details while ensuring we kept our focus on the end goal. There were challenges along the way that we had to overcome. Having that level of involvement ensured that our original design ideas and financial goals stayed on track from day one.
Q: How did the project transition from your personal plan into a highly lucrative asset?
Shirin Amin: Once we finished the full layout, secured all the permits and got builders to finish the project, the finished home was listed, and a billionaire buyer fell in love with the design and purchased it for $44 million. It felt amazing to see the market validate the foundation and hard work that went into the project. The final sale proved that a solid real estate plan, combined with steady design work, can lead to incredible business results.
Q: How did your global education form the design philosophy you brought to this property?
Shirin Amin: Studying in Iran, France, and America gave me a unique perspective on residential real estate development. My early schooling in Iran and France taught me classic design principles, balance, and history. Later, my time studying in the U.S. pushed me to think outside the box, try organic styles, and explore my creative freedom. Bringing those different worlds together taught me a lot and gave me unique experiences that help me see things in a different functional and creative way and ensure a building is fully functional. For a luxury project of this size, having that global outlook helped us create a plan that felt both timeless and fresh.
Q: How do you balance your creative identity as an architect with your responsibilities as an asset manager?
Shirin Amin: I do not see creativity and business management as separate things. They actually help each other out quite a bit. My art background, which included six years of private study with an artist in Toronto named Mr. Nami, taught me to look closely at details and find creative solutions. In the business world, that flexibility helps me see unique opportunities in land development or farming projects that others might miss entirely. I use my design eye to closely monitor project quality, while my business sense keeps us focused on profitable results. Whether I am checking on stocks, visiting our farms, or planning a luxury home, I always use the same approach of exploration and careful planning.