Walking the Narrow Path: How One Architect's Bold Risks Reshaped Her Design Practice

When Mana Mohammadkhani left Tehran 16 years ago to pursue graduate studies at USC, she couldn’t have predicted the journey that would lead her to establish one of Brooklyn’s innovative architectural design firms. Today, as founder of MMO Studio, she’s helping reshape how real estate professionals approach property renovation and sales, bringing over a decade of expertise to both residential and commercial projects.

The path wasn’t straightforward. After completing her studies during the financial crisis, Mohammadkhani faced the harsh realities of launching a career during an economic downturn. When her first corporate position ended abruptly, she made a pivotal decision to explore new horizons, landing a summer internship in New York City. The city’s energy resonated so deeply that she sold everything in LA and made the cross-country move permanent.

Working across various firms, Mohammadkhani developed expertise in both design and construction management. However, she often found herself restricted to purely design roles. “They were like, ‘No, you’re good at design. Just keep on doing design, don’t worry about construction management,'” she recalls of her previous employers. This limited scope didn’t align with her vision of comprehensive architectural practice.

In 2022, she made the bold decision to launch MMO Studio without an established client base. Starting with small renovation projects in her own building, she built her practice organically through word of mouth. Within three years, her portfolio expanded from residential renovations to include her first restaurant project, marking an exciting evolution in the firm’s trajectory.

Today, MMO Studio has carved out a unique niche working at the intersection of architectural design and real estate. The firm has become particularly valuable to real estate professionals dealing with properties that require vision to sell. In one recent project, Mohammadkhani transformed an awkward under-stair space into valuable storage by relocating a door and extending a wall, demonstrating how strategic design can maximize even the most challenging spaces.

Her approach goes beyond traditional architectural services. Her team creates detailed property guides outlining renovation possibilities, material sources, and crucially, realistic cost estimates based on extensive project experience. “Having that one step up – here’s the person, this is how much it’s going to cost – helps buyers decide faster and close the deal sooner,” Mohammadkhani explains. “It’s a great win for everyone.”

Her expertise particularly shines in New York’s notoriously compact spaces. Through strategic design choices – from thoughtful layout modifications to proper lighting selection – MMO Studio helps transform challenging properties into desirable homes. “There are so many ways you can make a small property feel and look better,” she says, emphasizing how seemingly minor changes in elements like paint color and lighting can dramatically impact a space’s feel. For example, in a recent apartment renovation, simply replacing harsh white lighting with warm fixtures transformed the ambiance of the entire space, making it feel larger and more inviting.

The firm’s practical approach to renovation planning helps overcome common hesitations about fixer-uppers. By providing detailed drawings and specifications upfront, MMO Studio helps prevent expensive surprises during construction. “People who don’t use designers end up having so many change orders, so much additional money that they didn’t expect,” she notes, highlighting how proper planning can actually save money in the long run.

Looking ahead, Mohammadkhani continues to expand her practice’s scope while maintaining focus on residential work. As New York’s real estate market evolves, particularly with emerging sustainability requirements and technological innovations, MMO Studio’s adaptable approach and commitment to practical, value-adding design solutions position the firm for continued success in 2025 and beyond.

For more information about MMO Studio’s architectural and interior design services, visit mmostudios.com or contact [email protected].