A House and a Home: Affordable Housing - Esra Alsalami

A House and a Home : Affordable Housing

Research Booklet Esra Alsalami (201731479) | ADR496.502

Table of contents Project Overview

3

Aordable Housing and the Community in Need : Research

4

Low Income Housing Developments: Case Studies

9

A House And a Home: Project Development

14

References

32

About : CV

34

Project Overview

Abstract

Searching for ways to create a balance in the lifestyle of the different groups that exist within the city of Dubai, this project looks at housing as the main element when it comes to living standards and the quality of life. Discussing the issue regarding the lack of affordable housing in Dubai, the research paper provides information on the importance of having a home and suggests that the issue of affordability contributes to the lack of equity in the community. Moreover, it studies the existing disparity in wages and the group of people whose lifestyles are most affected by it, as a means of understanding the scope of the issue.

And to tackle the problem, multiple cases studies on affordable housing projects were analysed to understand the way this type of project is developed before applying the guidelines onto the final design.

The paper proposes that building affordable residential complexes for low income families would improve the standards of living and therefore enhance the quality of life. Consequently, with these improvements it would only be natural for opportunities to arise and productivity levels to increase and for the community to thrive as a whole.

Keeping into consideration that affordable housing is not just about having a house but rather being able to maintain it and still have the opportunity to enjoy and indulge in other luxuries of living “a House and a Home� takes on the challenge of creating compact yet comfortable homes for families with a limited budget.

Introduction Dubai is known for its luxurious buildings and skyscrapers. And people from other countries always assume that whoever lives in Dubai gets to experience that upscale lifestyle where all your time gets spent shopping or dining somewhere fancy, with little to no worries at all. Unfortunately, that is but a mere fantasy! Although some people are privileged enough to live in elegant comfort, the percentage of them compared the population of people with limited access to the simplest luxuries is very sparse, and is considered to be a big issue that needs to be discussed and eventually resolved so that there is a balance in the living standards. In Dubai, Emiratis have many opportunities given to them by the government and for that they are considered to be the most privileged group in the society. However, expats from Asia, specifically south and southeast Asia, which make up a huge percentage of not just Dubai but the whole UAE population, are usually excluded from the famous “Dubai lifestyle�, despite them having contributed immensely to the growth of the city from the start. On the other hand, western expats who are considerably less impactful, get to experience that lifestyle and receive better opportunities. And for that reason, it was questioned whether there is a way for a designer to create that middle ground, so that there becomes a chance for social equity and integration of the different communities that exist within Dubai.

This paper will look at some of the issues concerning housing, stability and sustainability in relationship to affordability, with the

purpose of answering the question of How Does Affordable Housing Benefit the Community?

Affordable Housing and the Community in Need : Research Lack of affordable housing is a global issue that has existed for a long time and is unfortunately increasing simultaneously with urban development around the world. The importance of tackling this issue comes from the fact that the current market carters largely to middle income to high income groups, without any regards to low income members of the society.

After looking at various sources that relate to the following keywords; Housing, Affordability, Sustainability, Stability, Security, Family, Community; a summary of each of the topics was brought together to form this part of the paper.

I.

Housing and stability

The reviewed studies discuss the importance of tackling the problem of affordable housing limitations as it affects the communities’ health, security, stability and overall quality of life (Brisson, 2014), seeing how low income groups who deal with this issue first hand suffer from unjust conditions where they lack the opportunity to be part of a safe and successful community (Howell, 2018). Low income families are either living in homes that are above their budget or constantly moving because there is a lack of supply for affordable housing. And that makes the family unable to stay

in one house or sacrifice providing for other important living expenses and that in turn affects the children’s physical and mental health and development. Instability in living conditions also affects the adults’ mental health and causes them to neglect their physical health as a mean of saving money (Brisson, 2014)

II.

The Affordability Gap

In order to understand the scope of this issue, some information about the living situation in Dubai must be discussed and with that some statistical data will be presented to show the group of people that are being affected by this problem.

Whereas the group with the highest percentage of employees is the asian population which stands at 82.6 percent. And that makes them the most productive in the country.

Among the expats in the United Arab Emirates there are hierarchical groups that receive different economic and social rewards: first are the top professionals and technocrats with international contracts, who earn high salaries and other benefits; second there is the middle-range professionals such as school teachers, skilled technicians, and company salesmen, and third comes the low-paid semi-skilled and unskilled workers, which are primarily of Asian backgrounds.

There is an existing wage gap between expats from different Lowest

Americas Arab countries

Europe Asia

Africa Ocenia

Highest

AED 50,000

UAE

AED 45,000

AED 40,000

AED 37,500

0.3% 82.6%

1.0%

AED 25,000

AED 25,000

2.7% 2.9%

Median AED 18,500 AED 12,500

4.0% 6.5%

Figure (1) : Employed UAE Population By Nationality

The UAE is known for having a large number of expatriates residing in it, and when breaking down the population of employed residents, statistics show that the number of Emiratis compared to other nationalities is but a mere 4 percent.

Average AED 23,000

Minimum AED 6,000 AED 0

Emirati

Western

Asian

Figure (2) : Average Income per Month

ethnic backgrounds which makes their living circumstances in the country different from one another. And by looking at the average income chart (figure 2) it can be seen that-

Emiratis have the highest earnings set at about 45,000 AED per month, whereas Asians have their highest at 25,000 AED per month. And if the earnings of westerners were compared to that it is evident that its at approximately half the amount. And the lowest income of both westerners and Emiratis is higher than that of Asians by almost 5,000 dirhams.

Cities in the UAE have a multiethnic composition, with segregated housing areas for nationals and non-nationals.

Housing is subdivided further according to class, social power, ethnicity, and nationality (“United Arab Emirates” , (n.d.))

III.

Defining Affordability

Affordable housing refers to housing units that are reasonably priced for residents which have earnings that are below the average household income. Various sources indicate that: “affordability” is subjective to the country and its society, as there are many aspects that factor into the standard of affordability such as household incomes and size/capacity ("Making Affordable Housing a Reality in Cities", 2019). And further research showed that in the case of the UAE each emirate had different housing prices, with Dubai and AbuDhabi being the

most expensive whereas Fujairah and Um Al Quwain are the cheapest.

In order to identify a range for affordability or further understand the effect of this issue on the living standards of people with low to middle income, there was an attempt to find some data regarding the existing market conditions in Dubai in terms of the apartments for rent. And because affordability is not only about the price of the house but also the expenses that come with living in it and other necessities (World Economic Forum, 2019), data on the relative household consumption and expenditure division specifically in non Emirati households was also provided.

Education Health Clothing Food & Bevarages

Transportation Housing Other

17.4% 1.9% 12.7%

9.6%

47.2% 10.4% 0.8%

Figure (3) : Rental Index by Apartment Type (2019)

Figure (4) : Relative Household Consumption and Expenditure Division (Non Emirati Households))

I.

Sustainable Development in relation to aordability

When looking into the stance of Dubai in regard to the affordable housing crisis, it is evident that there are two main aspects that must be considered, the first of which being economic growth and the second is social inclusion/ accommodation (Burai, 2019). According to Howell (2018), stable affordable housing plays a role in the maintenance of jobs and the provision of opportunity and that is something to be considered when it comes to improving the overall status of the country. Seeing that if the residents were happy they would be more productive and if they felt that they were welcomed well into the society they would in turn want to engage in the development of the country. Moreover, the studies on Dubai’s case also looked into how the two aforementioned aspects must be looked at concurrently to solve the issue in a sustainable manner, and they further suggest obtaining internationally recognised plans and policies and applying them in a suitable manner (Alawadi, Khanal, & Almulla, 2018).

The significance of tackling the issue of affordable housing lies with the fact that housing stability is connected to the health and the wellbeing of a family. And because a large population of the country lacks the accessibility to a reasonably priced home relative to their income, it is of importance to create an opportunity for them to live better by providing them with adequate housing solutions that meet their budget without having to trade their happiness. Solving this problem would be of great value to the city as it would thrive if all of its citizens are satisfied with their living conditions, that being said the

ultimate solution would require cooperation from both the government and its citizens as both public and private sectors should work on providing for their community.

Low Income Housing Developments: Case Studies Looking at 3 different residential projects that served similar concepts, an analysis was done based on the context and location along with a study of the space layout and zoning and finally the materials and the construction. Additionally, there is one case study included that differs from the rest in terms of clientele and the reason behind adding it, is to compare and contrast.

I.

Figure (5) : Park House

Figure (6) : Park House, Interior

Park House

This project was designed by KTGY Architecture + Planning, and takes an approximate area of 10,700 square meters.

In order to tackle the housing affordability crisis in the united states, the architects proposed turning unused multi-storey parking garages in San Diego into an apartment complex, by plugging shipping containers into them. And to make space for social interactions a central courtyard would be carved out during the conversion.

Moreover, the layout is constructed using 3 Containers that are stacked together to form each of the units. And plumbing utilities are implemented by creating a raised floor system which runs underneath the containers.

The main element to be taken from this project is the idea of repurposing an unused structure and providing low cost housing solutions that can be constructed off site.

Figure (7) : Site Study, Park House

Figure (8) : Sketch, Park House

Public Circulation

Semi-private Private

Figure (9) : Zoning Diagram, Park House

II.

Dortheavej Residence

Designed by Architects: Bjarke Ingels and Finn NørkjÌr, this project which was completed in 2018 is located in Copenhagen,Denmark, and it occupies an area of 6,800 square meters. Commissioned to create an affordable housing and public space in an industrial area, the architects designed a 5 story modular building using modest materials such as wooden planks and concrete.

The main aspect of this project is the interaction with the community outside and inside the building, and that is shown through the transition from the courtyard to the plaza through the opening of the building.

Figure (10) : Dortheavej Residence

Figure (11) : Dortheavej Residence, Interior

Figure (12) : Site Study, Dortheavej Residence Public

Circulation

Figure (14) : Zoning Diagram, Dortheavej Residence Semi-private

Private

Figure (13) : Sketch, Dortheavej Residence

Figure (15) : Floor Plan, Dortheavej Residence

III. Las Americas social housing The las Americas social housing project is designed by So-il Architects as a means of tackling the issue of affordability in the highly dense city of Leon in Mexico. The project is proposed to be 3,000 square meters and it is expected to finish by 2021. It was done in collaboration with the Mexican government, to develop a prototype for vertical residential compounds specifically for low-income communities. This project maintains the budget by using shared utility cores and prefabricated components, and it deals with the issues of privacy, community and circulation through its layout and structure. Additionally, the use of concrete brick units gives the building unique facade and it makes the construction cost lower and speed faster.

Figure (16) : Las Americas Social Housing, Courtyard

Figure (19) : Natural Cross Ventilation, Las Americas Social Housing

Figure (17) : Las Americas Social Housing, Exterior

Figure (20) : Zoning Diagram, Las Americas Social Housing

Figure (18) : Sketch, Las Americas Social Housing

Figure (21) : Concrete Bricks

IV. Uptown Midri Uptown Midriff is a project in Dubai that was designed by Union Properties and is occupied mostly by westerners with middle to high income.

The place is filled with stylish residential and commercial properties that take up about 37,000 square meters. It forms a sustainable neighbourhood with amenities such as parks, pools, fitness centres, cafes, restaurants and shopping stores etc.This project was included as a case study because of its successfulness in creating a residential community that is harmonious and peaceful. However, comparing it to the previous case studies it is noted that the apartment units of this project are bigger in size which makes it more expensive than the rest despite them all having the same divisions, and that brings the question of whether the extra space is necessary or not. That being said it seems that space in this context is a luxury that should be managed well and planned strategically so that its maximum capability is maintained.

Public

Retail Park

Circulation

Mosque

Semi-private

School Apartments

Figure (22) : Uptown Mirdiff

Figure (24) : Site Study, Uptown Mirdiff

Figure (23) : Uptown Mirdiff

Figure (25) : Zoning Diagram , Courtyard Apt.

Figure (26) : Zoning Diagram , Gate Apt.

Private

Public

Circulation

Semi-private

Private

Figure (27) : Zoning Diagram , Terraced Apt.

From the overall case study analysis some guidelines were set for the project’s site selection and program; in order for the families to grow healthily within the community, social interactions must take place inside and outside of the space, and for that reason it is important for the site to be safe and secure for children and adults alike. In addition it should have places of interest for multigenerational families , as well as being in close proximity to public transport and other amenities. And when it comes to the building structure, it is recommended to choose a building that uses materials that are prefabricated as it would lower the construction price and therefore lead to cheaper fees and faster building process while still being sustainable. Moreover, the use of modular units would also be beneficial to the surrounding environment since it won’t cause any disturbances during construction. The final take from the case studies is the space planing, it is important for the spaces in the building to be divided strategically so that each family can have a sense of privacy when they are in their own unit as the element of privacy is the most important physical aspect of a home.

A House and a Home : Project Development I.

Aim

The Aim of this project is to provide housing units that are reasonably priced for residents of Dubai with salaries below the average household income. Moreover, the project will focus on the provision of security, stability and comfort in a residential space. Taking into consideration all of the information extracted from the research and the case studies, a set of guidelines was formulated to ensure that the proposed projects is developed well

- Kitchen - Living / Dining Room - Balcony 3. Private Spaces

- Bedroom - Dressing Room

1. Audience: Expat families with a household income between 5K-15K AED 2. Context: Residential space in an ethnically mixed neighbourhood in Dubai

II.

Program

When it comes to a housing complex there are many spaces that could be incorporated into the design and for this specific project the planing strategy would be zoning based on the range of privacy needed for the different types of activities that will take place in the building.

1. Public spaces:

- courtyard - Parking Lot 2. Semi-Private Spaces

- Bathroom III.

Site Selection

Taking into consideration the targeted audience and the site condition the final proposal includes taking an existing building structure and placing it in context to the final site location which would be in al-Karama, Dubai, the area was chosen as it was found to be that is most suitable for this affordable housing project.

Al-Karama is a multiethnic residential area in Dubai with a population of 70,558, it has many amenities that are of importance for families. The selected location is of close proximity to public transit and other important amenities such as: private schools, parks, malls, and hospitals. Moreover, it is known for being on the relatively cheaper side of Dubai despite it being close to the city

As for the building structure, the main aspect that was considered for choosing this specific building is the construction and building material as they play a big role in the overall market price.

That being said, Croydon, Boxpark, UK was chosen as the building structure’s prototype. Boxpark is a semi-enclosed commercial venue that is made out of shipping containers, that have been altered to fit the context of the space.

The proposed outcome is to redesign the outlet and turn it into a residential community.

Site Analysis

Site Study of Al-Karama, Dubai

BoxPark, Croydon, UK

IV.

Concept Development

Looking for a concept statement that suits the aim of my project, that being said I chose the word Embrace as it represents warmth and homeyness. As I was looking for ways to abstract the action, I came up with multiple sketches that were later abstracted further to be turned into different floor layouts.

During the first phase most of the designs were created with the mindset that to have an outcome that is interesting the design must be unique rather than simple and this caused some issues during the development as the designed units lacked efficiency.

Mood

Concept Development Process | Sketches

Concept Development Process | Space Planing

At the beginning of the space planing process, I worked on one level rather than two and I had worked with an approximate area of 797 sqft for each unit. The units were made out of two 40ft containers and one 20ft containers all open to one another.

Since I had families as my target audience, I initially wanted to have up to 4 bedrooms in each unit, however that changed later as the size of the units did not accommodate to that, and it was evident that this kind of approach will only cause discomfort.

Concept Development Process | Masterplan Proposal

Concept Development Process | Sketches

Concept Development Process | Digital Models

Concept Development Process | Sketches

One of the challenges I had during the concept development phase was that I was prefixed on the idea of having circular elements within the design, I had thought it to be the perfect representation of my mood. I wanted the circle to correspond to the central element of a home, which is the living and dining area, as it is the place where the family gathers.

As a consequence, I had neglected some of the actual issues that came with such designs, especially those relating to the budget and the overall efficiency.

Concept Development Process | Floor Plan 1

Concept Development Process | Floor Plan 2

Concept Development Process | Floor Plan 3

Concept Development Process | Floor Plan 4

The main reason I chose to work with shipping containers is to limit the construction cost.

However, when I first started designing the units I had not thought thoroughly about other elements that could affect the price, such as adding and demolishing walls.

One other thing that was pointed out during reviews was that the more variation in the design of the actual container, the more costly it would be. In addition to that there was a discussion on the portability of the containers and the assembly of the units.

An important element when it comes to building residential spaces is the existence of natural ventilation, that being said some of the previous designs did not accommodate to that and as a result they were proved to be inadequate.

Concept Development Process | Perspectives

As a means of experimenting with variating levels, a design was made to accommodate one extra 20ft container that is accessible through a staircase that is placed in a joint unit. The joint unit was added with the intention to create a communal space between two residential units.

This approach however did not workout well as it deemed inefficient.

Joint unit / Co-op

Concept Development | Floor Plan 4

Concept Development Process | Floor Plan 5 (Two Levels)

Concept Development Process | Perspective View

V.

Design Development

Upon receiving feedback on the previous designs, I started to think about the best ways to tackle all the aforementioned issues. Starting with my mood I decided to embrace the existing structure which is the container, rather than modifying it to be something else.

Deciding to work with 20ft containers, I experimented with different arrangements to find the best design for the compounds, while considering visual and physical connections not only within the unit itself but also regarding the building as a whole.

The final outcome was a four unit compound, each unit including five 20ft containers (3 containers on the first level and 2 on the second).

Final Compound Design

The main element for the for this project is the prefabricated fittings that would come with each container so that whoever is intent on buying/renting doesn’t have to spend extra money buying furniture.

Container Arrangement

Compound Design Prototype

- Design Each 20ft Container Separately.

- Mix and Match 5 Container M o d u l e s To F o r m a Residential Unit.

Container Modules

4 Unit Compound

Unit Layouts (Left: Level 1, Right: Level Two)

Proposed Building Structure The previously chosen building structure (Boxpark, Croydon) was adjusted so that it fits the context of the site and the purpose of the project.

Taking into consideration that the selected spot in Al-Karama is currently occupied as a parking space, the proposed design suggests that the building structure is elevated so that it does not interrupt the existing functions of the site.

Proposed Building | Elevation

Proposed Building | Elevation

Despite the adjustments that were made, the original Ushaped layout of the building was maintained. As the proposed masterplan shows, there is a courtyard in the building to allow for communal interactivity. Another element that was kept from the original plan is the open balcony space which can be also be used for social interactions.

Proposed Building | Compound Subdivisions (4 Residential Units)

Boxpark, Croydon | Level1 Floor Plan

Proposed Building | Masterplan

Design Development | Unit 1 (process)

Design Development | Twin Bedroom

Design Development | Unit 1 | Floor Plans

Design Development | Sketches

Design Development | Unit 1 | Living / Kitchen

Design Development | Unit 2 (process)

Design Development | Unit 2 | Living / Dining

Design Development | Unit 2 | Floor Plans

Design Development | Sketches

Design Development | Master Bedroom

Unit 1 - Final Design The final design of the units was made with the intent to maximise efficiency in the given space. In order for that to happen, the space was divided according to the types of activities happening in each space and the average number of occupants.

That is why in both unit 1 and unit 2, the common areas (living| dining| kitchen) are given the largest amount of space, removing the panels between the two containers to create an open plan.

Unit 1 | Level 1 Floor Plan

Unit 1 | Level 2 Floor Plan

Unit 1 | Living Room & Workspace

Unit 1 | Sectional Perspective

Unit 1 | Kitchen Storage & Dining

Unit 1 | Master Bedroom

Unit 2 - Final Design With the intention to make use of the prefabricated fittings provided in each space, I tried to make some of them multifunctional, without them taking away extra space. And in order for the design to be cohesive I chose to follow a grid for all the storage elements that are placed in each of the units.

Unit 2 | Level 1 Floor Plan

Unit 2 | Level 2 Floor Plan

Unit 2 | Living / Dining / Kitchen

Unit 2 | Twin Bedroom

Unit 2 | Sectional Perspective

References (2016, May 24). The Middle Class and Social Stratification in Dubai. Retrieved from https://governingdubai.com/the-middle-class-and-social-stratification-indubai-110871cede66.

Howell, K. (2018). Stability, advocacy and voice: opportunities and challenges in resident-led preservation of affordable housing. Housing Studies, 34(8), 1330–1348. doi: 10.1080/02673037.2018.1538449

(2018, December 23). Retrieved from https://fcsa.gov.ae/en-us/Pages/PressRelease/23-12-2018.aspx

Nair, D. (2018, October 4). Affordable homes in UAE: Not there yet. Retrieved from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/real-estate/affordable-homes-in-uae-notthere-yet-.

Alawadi, K., Khanal, A., & Almulla, A. (2018). Land, urban form, and politics: A study on Dubais housing landscape and rental affordability. Cities, 81, 115–130. doi: 10.1016/j.cities.2018.04.001 Bel-Air, F. D. (2015). Gulf Labour Markets, Migration and Population Programme. Demography, Migration, and the Labour Market in the UAE, Explanatory Note. Retrieved from https://gulfmigration.org/media/pubs/exno/ GLMM_EN_2018_01.pdf Brisson, A. (2014). Impact of Affordable Housing on Families and Communities: A Review of the Evidence Base. Enterprise Community Partners. Retrieved from https://www.enterprisecommunity.org/download?fid=3335&nid=4547 Bundhun, R. (2011, February 14). UAE monthly household income revealed.

Retrieved from https://www.arabianbusiness.com/uae-monthly-household-incomerevealed-80418.html.

Burai, M. H. E. (2019, March 27). How Dubai can solve its lack of affordable housing. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/03/how-dubaican-solve-its-lack-of-affordable-housing/ Dulaimi, M. (2011). Living in an ethnically-mixed neighbourhood in Dubai: The G r e e n s . R e t r i e v e d f r o m h t t p s : / / w w w. a c a d e m i a . e d u / 1 3 1 5 6 0 3 / Living_in_an_ethnically-mixed_neighbourhood_in_Dubai_The_Greens.

Housing in the UAE. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.internations.org/go/ moving-to-the-uae/housing.

Navin, H. (2018, June 6). Affordable housing: opportunities, challenges. Gulf News.

Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/business/property/affordable-housingopportunities-challenges-1.2232981 United Arab Emirates. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/ United-Arab-Emirates.html#ixzz64EDG5iDY. Wilson, W., & Barton, C. (2019). What Is Affordable Housing? The House of Commons Library. Retrieved from https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-7747#fullreport World Economic Forum. (2019). Making Affordable Housing a Reality in Cities. World Economic Forum. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/whitepapers/makingaffordable-housing-a-reality-in-cities

Image index Figure 1. Employed UAE Population By Nationality. Copyright Alsalami, E. (2019).

Figure 2. Average Income Per month Figure 3. Rental index by Apartment Type. By fam properties, 2019, https:// famproperties.com/dubai-property-rental-increase-2019 Figure 4. Relative Household consumption and expenditure Division (non Emirati households). Copyright Alsalami, E. (2019).

Figure 5. Park house. [digital image]. (2019). Adapted from http://ktgy.com/work/ park-house/ Figure 6. Park house, Interior. [digital image]. (2019). Adapted from http://ktgy.com/ work/park-house/ Figure 7. Site study, Park house. Copyright Alsalami, E. (2019).

Figure 8. sketch, Park house. Copyright Alsalami, E. (2019).

Figure 9. Zoning Diagram, Park house. Copyright Alsalami, E. (2019).

Figure 10. Dortheavej Residence. [digital image]. (2018). Adapted from https:// www.dezeen.com/2018/10/09/big-bjarke-ingels-affordable-housing-dortheavejresidence-copenhagen/ Figure 11. Dortheavej Residence, Interior [digital image]. (2018). Adapted from https://www.dezeen.com/2018/10/09/big-bjarke-ingels-affordable-housingdortheavej-residence-copenhagen/ Figure 12. Site Study, Dortheavej Residence. Copyright Alsalami, E. (2019).

Figure 13. sketch, Dortheavej Residence. Copyright Alsalami, E. (2019).

Figure 14. Zoning Diagram, Dortheavej Residence. Copyright Alsalami, E. (2019).

Figure 15. Floor Plan, Dortheavej Residence [digital image]. (2018). Adapted from https://www.archdaily.com/903495/homes-for-all-dortheavej-residence-bjarkeingels-group Figure 16. Las Americas Social Housing, courtyard. [digital image]. (2019). Retrieved form https://www.designboom.com/architecture/so-il-las-americas-social-housingproject-leon-mexico-06-13-2019/ Figure 17. Las Americas Social Housing, Exterior. [digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://so-il.org/content/2-projects/21-las-americas-social-housing/ exterior_01_so-il_edit-01.jpg Figure 18. Sketch, Las Americas Social Housing. Copyright Alsalami, E. (2019).

Figure 19. Natural Alsalami, E. (2019).

Cross Ventilation, Las Americas Social Housing. Copyright

Figure 20. Zoning Diagram, Las Americas Social Housing. Copyright Alsalami, E. (2019).

Figure 21. Concrete Bricks. [digital image]. (2019). Retrieved form https:// www.designboom.com/architecture/so-il-las-americas-social-housing-project-leonmexico-06-13-2019/ Figure 22. Uptown Mirdif. [digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://up.ae/ Figure 23. Uptown Mirdif. [digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://up.ae/ projects/uptown-mirdiffup Figure 24. Site Study, Uptown Mirdif. Copyright Alsalami, E. (2019).

Figure 25. Zoning Diagram , Courtyard apt. Copyright Alsalami, E. (2019).

Figure 26. Zoning Diagram , Gate apt. Copyright Alsalami, E. (2019).

Figure 27. Zoning Diagram , Terraced apt. Copyright Alsalami, E. (2019).

About | CV

Esra A. Alsalami +971 50 901 0105 I-ASA@live.com

OBJECTIVE I am keen on pursuing a career in the design industry. Offering excellence in design strategies and creative skills along with a strong set of ethics and principles, I will work towards improving the daily lives of people.

EDUCATION

SOFTWARE SKILLS

Zayed University, Dubai, UAE

Adobe Photoshop

Anticipated Graduation: Fall 2020 Bachelors of Fine Arts in Interior Design | GPA: 3.72 /4.0

Adobe InDesign Microsoft Office Autodesk Revit

Harrow House International College, Swanage, UK Language Course | MAR - APR 2013

N,,

AutoDesk 3ds Max SketchUp

EXTRACURRICULA EXPERIENCE

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Sheikh Khalifa Hospital, Umm Al-Quwain, UAE | OCT 2017

Arabic

Volunteer

English

Responsibilities

•

Encouraged sick children to read

•

Helped the children with their comprehension skills

Takatof, Dubai, UAE | FEB 2015 Volunteer Responsibilities

PERSONAL SKILLS Leadership: Promote open discussion and involvement of all participants, while not dominating. Motivate others to work together.

Teamwork: Accept authority and supervision and respect the thoughts and opinions of others in the group.

•

Helped with the distribution of drinks and snacks for guests and participants.

Creativity: Able to use imagination and intuition freely; Able to

•

Aided in keeping the place organised for the guests

conceive new interpretations to ideas or information.