News

Persecuted migrant starts new life, builds business after TAFE studies

COMPLETING two Building Design qualifications at Granville TAFE, has helped Arman Gouniaei start a new life and build a business in Australia after fleeing religious persecution in Iran.

As a member of the Baha’i community, Mr Gouniaei was refused admission to university in Iran.  He completed his architecture degree in a private institution before seeking work as a refugee in Turkey.
Four months after arriving in Australia in 2018, Mr Gouniaei studied a Diploma of Building Design at Granville TAFE. He has since completed a Graduate Diploma of Building Design and established his business, Art DecoLine.
“Studying at TAFE and receiving formal qualifications in Australia, was not the end of my educational journey, but the beginning I wished I had 13 years ago in Iran,” he said.
“Since my graduation, I have been able to start a successful business and have contracts to design and manage the build of commercial and residential projects, including a stone and marble showroom in Zetland.”
Two of Mr Gouniaei’s design projects: ArtDecoline Apartment and Violin House won the Building Designers Association of Australia Sydney Regional Design Awards, with Violin House also winning silver at the 2021 Sydney DrivenxDesign Awards.
TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Architectural Technology Fadi Fadhil says Mr Gouniaei is a wonderful example of how someone can get sought-after technical skills and experience through TAFE NSW to start their own business.
“Our Building Design qualifications allows students to develop a portfolio of work, through learning how to produce 3D rendered model animations, and industry-standard documentation that supports client requirements,” he said.
Find out more at tafensw.edu.au.