About ZOHA:
At ZOHA, we work with business owners large and small to create interior spaces that best reflect what they do and who they are. Whether you are moving to a new location, renovating an existing space or building from the ground up, our experts will guide you through all stages of the process, from concept through construction. We provide expertise in all aspects of interior design, architecture, branding and furniture selection to transform your vision into reality. We are a woman owned small business, Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) certified who seeks to bring diversity, equality, and social responsibility by working with like-minded clients.
With ZOHA, your experience will include:
Seamless service: When working with large design firms, your original vision can get lost as it is passed off to various people through the planning, design, budgeting, project management and construction process. Our expert designers stay involved at every stage, overseeing the creative and technical details so that the integrity of the original concept is maintained.
Form and function: We are experts in both interior design and architecture, which means we create concepts that are not only beautiful and original, but functional and structurally sound. So many design features look good on paper, but fail in execution because of a lack of understanding of basic architectural principles. Our approach is not only fresh and innovative, but also technical and practical.
Modern mindset: We strive to avoid cookie cutter concepts and following the latest trends. Open concept may be the most popular layout, but it doesn’t mean it’s the best option for you. We take the time to understand your needs and challenges to develop and execute the design concept that best fits your way of living, working and being. We blur lines, challenge mindsets and look ahead to create spaces that truly reflect the uniqueness of you.
About the Founder:
Growing up in communist Bulgaria, Zori Haouchine was one of the few kids who owned Legos and would hide under her covers drawing late into the night. Despite her parents' advice to keep art as a hobby, she applied to design school in the U.S., translated books into English to raise enough money for the airfare, and spent three days standing in line at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia to get her student visa so she could attend the University of Akron in Ohio.
Zori brings the same level of passion, resourcefulness and determination to every project she designs. “I appreciate the freedom to have original ideas and express them because I’ve had to fight for it,” she says.
After earning her bachelor’s in interior design, Zori won a scholarship to the Illinois Institute of Technology, where she received her master’s degree in architecture and went on to work for some of Chicago’s largest design firms. She is both an interior designer and licensed architect – a rarity in the industry – that enables her to develop innovative design concepts while ensuring her ideas are technically and structurally sound.
BA Interior Design, The University of Akron, OH
MArch Architecture, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL
Registered Architect, NCARB, LEED AP
A world traveler who speaks multiple languages, Zori finds inspiration in other cultures and draws on those experiences to blend colors, styles and technological innovations to the benefit of her clients. Throughout her 20 years of experience working with high profile clients such as Unilever, Nielsen and CDW, to name a few, Zori has developed a particular passion for working with start-ups and other small businesses often overlooked by big design firms. Her priority is building lifelong relationships, in addition to beautiful spaces.
Copyright 2022 © ZOHA Architecture + Design, LLC