Aws Hamad - Architectural Assistant (2023)

(Perforated stone facade)

By Aws Hamad

David Chipperfield Architects

Working as a Part Architectural Assistant at David Chipperfield Architects provided me with invaluable experience across multiple RIBA Stages, particularly stages 0-3. had the privilege of contributing to a wide range of projects, including cultural buildings, high-end commercial spaces, and luxury residential developments in various international cities.

In the beginning, my role as an architectural assistant primarily revolved around in-house model-making. Following the pandemic, my responsibilities shifted towards image making, utilising digital tools, such as Rhino and V-ray to communicate design ideas remotely. Gaining more experience within the office, I was allocated a more advanced role, working on a number of international projects. During this phase, was engaged in different design stages; from brief preparation, design development, and the preparation of client and heritage reports. This experience was vital in evolving my understanding of the relationship between architect, client, consultants and other stakeholders.

Massing studies for a housing project, Geneva

Elevation study of a museum extension, MACBA, Barcelona

Section study of an auditorium extension, Somerset House, London

Architectural Assistant I

Interior visual of a retrofit retail/hotel development, Jenner’s, Edinburgh

Visual studies of restoration, Central Telegraph Building, Moscow

Elevation study of roof addition, Jenner’s, Edinburgh

During this placement, I got to work on a number of projects, from small-scale exhibition display furniture to medium-size private gallery projects. My role at the firm involved assisting in model and collage making. This responsibility in the creation of physical models allowed me to understand spatial relationship and materiality on a tangible level, while assisting in collage making honed my ability to juxtapose various elements and explore innovative design concepts. Despite the short nature of this internship, it had a profound impact on my growth as a student, reinforcing the significance of the design process.

Interior visuals of a mixed use build, Bruges

Foam model of a private art gallery, Bled

Summer Internship

Dali X Duchamp Exhibtion at the RA, London

MPhil - MAUD

Worms-eye view of a bay section illustrating layout and material build-up

Design Thesis: MAKE X LIVE - A Space for Cultural Reconciliation (in Baghdad)

Project Description: Founded in 762 by the Abbasid caliph, al-Mansur, Baghdad is the capital of Iraq. Renowned for its cultural heritage, it’s architecture reflected its glory and diversity, featuring mosques, palaces, libraries, gardens, and bustling markets. However, contemporary Baghdad faces the disheartening reality of neglected heritage buildings and lacking government incentives for preservation. To address this pressing issue, a design thesis proposes two building interventions within two empty plots adjacent to existing abandoned and derelict houses within al-Bataween - a district renowned for its unique Hybrid (local vernacular & classical) architecture associated with Baghdad’s largest Jewish community which once settled here.

The first intervention - Make - will be a learning centre where students and visitors alike can come and learn about the heritage and architecture of the city. The program will introduce an apprentiship scheme to educate and train the necessary labour to restore the remaining buildings on site. A key focus will be placed on the use of local building materials and emphasis of reintroducing craftmanship. The second intervention - Live - will be a housing scheme built by the trained labour within the first ‘Make’ intervention. The ambition of this scheme is to provide an incentive for the local government to build more social housing within the city instead of the periphery, and set a precedent for similar projects across the city for the restoration and preservation of heritage sites.

Design concept: The design ambition of this project seeks to be open-eneded, defined by the construction method and material use, where an emphasis is placed on self-build and craftmanship. To address privacy and climate concerns typical in urban settings, the intervention utilises the local courtyard typology to create semi-private outdoor spaces. Light wells are incorporated to enhance natural ventilation, maintain privacy, and optimise indirect daylight within interior domestic spaces. At an urban scale, the building draws inspiration from the open layout of Abbasid mosques and palaces, introducing a gridded column structure on the ground floor to provide shaded outdoor areas for pedestrians to navigate and enjoy shared public spaces comfortably.

Live - Communal kitchen looking towards the public ground floor

Live - Exterior elevation from Abu Nuwas street

‘Make’ responds to an existing Hybrid house by adding a learning centre consisting of woodwork workshop, exhibition spaces, a library, and a public cafe. This initiative aims to equip locals with restoration skills and reintroduce traditional material and building culture. The ntervention proposes a new multi-purpose building on an empty plot adjacent to an existing and abandoned Hybrid house. This intervention consisted of a workshop, gallery, library, studio space, and public café - an ideal creative hub to learn about the architecture of the city, and the importance of preserving and restoring heritage sites in the city.

The two buildings are linked through two courtyards using existing opening, such as doors and windows, insuring a soft connection between the old and the new. An additional opening on the first floor will connect the new library with the existing exhibition spaces. This use of existing openings would resort in minimal demolition and would retain as much of the existing character and be a source of reference for the workshop apprentices and gallery visitors.

‘Live’ suggests a low-rise, high-density housing complex utilising vacant plots within al-Bataween district. The purpose of this intervention is to generate government funding and address the city’s need for affordable housing. These units will be constructed by the trained workforce - within the ’Make’ intervention - incorporating local architecture, materials, craftmanship and modern means of living.

On a domestic scale, the proposed housing typologies are designed with permanent and multi-generational living in mind. On an urban scale, the building responds to the mat-building typology, adding the potential for modular expansion.

While implementing this intervention, the existing neighbouring Hybrid house will retain its independent status and will only share a party wall with the proposed intervention. This is crucial in preserving the historic character of the building without forcing modern and non-subservient additions other than the restoration of damaged features.

Make - Axo’ drawing illustrating the physical connection between the new and existing

Make - First floor plan

Make - Ground floor plan

Live - Axo’ drawing illustrating the housing complex intervention and its relation to the existing Hybrid house

‘Make’ section

BArch - Y3

Design Thesis: Time Architecture (in Ahmedabad, India)

The brief for the project focused on the subject of ‘Time’ based architecture, exploring the patterns of spatial appropriation and human interaction. Situated within the peripheral territory of Ahmedabad, India; the project site is located within the parameter of Sarkhej Roza mosque - a prominent centre of Sufi culture in the country and now a revered part of the city’s architectural heritage.

After a period of fieldwork, the project considers the relationship between community, local monuments and water ecology. Learning from the mat-building typology and the Indian interpretation by modernist architects such as BV Doshi, Charles Corea; the proposal anticipate change against setting expectation. Addressing the urban complexities and encroachment of informal settlements, the intervention thoughtfully develops the remaining land, creating two inviting squares using the sahn courtyard typology. These squares serve as a filter between the public realm and the building interior, accommodating diverse dwelling typologies, weaving workshops, and mixed-use spaces.

Strategic residential towers at the square corners act as mediators, bridging the project with existing tower developments. Drawing from Ahmedabad’s traditional Pol houses, the interiors feature the Choke design, enabling passive ventilation and adaptability by allowing inhabitants to modify and expand rooms to suit their changing needs. In summary, the project seamlessly intertwines ‘Time’, heritage, community, and the environment, culminating in a sustainable urban intervention within the Sarkhej Roza mosque precincts.

1-250 Clay site-model - View of the central courtyards

1-50 Project section drawings illustrating seasonal use of the main square

1-50 Plaster models showing the public circulation routes in relation to the private interior space

BArch - Y2

Design Thesis: Infill Architecture (in Casablanca, Morocco)

The project brief delves into the intricate nature of ‘Infill architecture’ at the Cosumar site, a housing compound designed by French architect Edmond Brion in the 1930s to accommodate sugar factory workers during Morocco’s industrial revolution. The masterplan’s inspiration stemmed from CIAM urban planning methods and French city planner Henry Prost’s colonial ideas, leading to a misinterpretation and gross stereotypes of the inhabitants’ living ideals. This resulted in a lack of essential facilities such as water and sewage within individual houses and a failure to account for multi-generational living needs.

To tackle these issues, a design intervention proposes a housing typology that infill four plots, emphasising the significance of the courtyard as a space for gathering. This intervention seeks to address the importance of multi-generational living by proposing flexible and adaptive architecture that caters to the diverse needs of the inhabitants, where water (sanitation) and air (ventilation) is celebrated by features such as fountains and Mashrabiyas.

Lino-print illustrating the spatial configuration between the private mezzanine level and communal ground floor

Site isometric study illustrating proposal section extrusion

Handfat

The odd sink upstairs

1. Prepare your room by clearing the space from debris.

2. Mark the position of the cabinet by directly marking the dimensions on the wall.

3. With the sink installed and pipes aligned, set out the frame by roughly arranging the structure in place.

4. Using a handsaw, cut the 2x1 timber strips to size, making adjustment where needed.

5. Secure the timber structure together using screws and PVA.

6. Working on a flat surface, mount the MDF sheets using sawhorse clamps.

7. Using a jigsaw, cut the MDF panels to size.

8. Predrill pilot holes into the MDF panels and fit to the structure. 9. Fit the MDF panels onto the structure and make adjustments where