Gil Ashouri Portfolio

F. Gil Ashouri

Georgia World Congress Center Signia Hilton Hotel

Adaptive Reuse

College Projects

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ADREW YOUNG INTERNATIONAL BLVD. ATLANTA, GA

Gensler | Atlanta GA | 2019 - 2023

Parx Casino Hotel

2999 STREET RD, BENSALEM, PA Gensler | Atlanta GA | 2021

Other Projects (Not included in this portfolio): Solana (CA), Montage Spa and Pantry Hotel (CA) Gensler | Atlanta GA, San Diego CA

Microsoft Engineering Operations

200 17th ST. NW, ATLANTA, GA Gensler | Atlanta GA | 2021 - 2023

Mercedes Benz USA HQ (AV studio)

ONE MERCEDES BENZ DRIVE, SANDY SPRINGS, GA Gensler | Atlanta GA | 2018

Other Projects (Not included in this portfolio): Leapley Field Office (GA), Lowe’s (NC), PNC (GA), Randstad (CA, IL), Deloitte (VA) Gensler | Atlanta GA

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Cloud Kitchens

MULTIPLE U.S. LOCATIONS (OH, DC, TN, GA, NY, CO, CA) Gensler | Atlanta GA | 2018 - 2019

Confidential Client

MULTIPLE U.S. & INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS (FL, NM, CA, PR, MI, TX, OH, MO, UT, GA) - (S. Africa, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Greece, Argentina, Australia, Russia)

Other Projects (Not included in this portfolio): Bardavon Health Innovation (GA), Capital One (VA), Chick-fil-A (PR) (CANADA) , DLA Piper (GA), First Service Residential, Gusto (GA), Inspire Brands (Arby’s) (GA), Jeni’s Ice Creams (FL), Del Mar Food Kiosk (CA), PNC Bank (GA, NY, NC), Serta (GA), Verizon (TX)

Gensler | Atlanta GA - San Diego CA

Architecture

ACADEMIC | OFFICE

University of TN | Knoxville, TN | 2009 - 2014

Project Introduction

Georgia World Congress Center

Signia Hilton Hotel - Atlanta, GA

Sitting on the former Georgia Dome site, partially over an existing parking deck with multiple connection points at multiple levels, Signia by Hilton Atlanta is a new 975-key convention hotel, 42 stories at almost one million square feet that will become a central connection point to the existing Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) and will strengthen the city’s position as a national premier destination for sports, entertainment and convention markets. Sitting at the center of a new downtown dynamic, Signia by Hilton will act as a bridge between historic neighborhoods and the growing Westside district. Hotel spaces includes meeting and conference space, dining and beverage venues, retail, fitness center, spa and outdoor pool.

Signia by Hilton Atlanta is scheduled to open on March 28, 2023.

My Role

I joined the exterior architecture team at design development phase of the project and worked on developing the IFC set all the way through CA phase and punching of the tower guest rooms. My responsibilities included working on 3d modeling, plans, elevations, sections, details and after permitting, continued in a construction administration role.

Gensler

Topping Ceremony 2023

Project Team

My Role

My role at CA process was to assist the project architect with incoming RFI and submittals, site walks, field reports, coordination with GC, participating in OAC meetings and issuing sketches. As the construction progressed, my focus changed from the podium levels to mostly tower and guest rooms.

CD Phase

During the documentation phase I started with the exterior podium team, working on plans, modeling the exterior elements in Revit and developing sections and elevations. On level 01 and 02, I worked on developing the portecochere, exterior stair details, north courtyard and south courtyard/ event lawn.

On level 04 and 05, I worked on exterior scope of the podium, vestibules, exterior terrace, pool deck, elevations, sections and details. I also developed the roof plans. My Role

My Role

I worked on exterior details at all levels from podium to tower and roofs.

My Role

On tower floors, from level 6 to 38, my responsibilities began during CA phase of the project. My role was to respond to related RFIs and Submittals, oversee the construction of guest rooms, and problem solve as soon as possible to avoid repetitive issues during construction of the upper floors.

My Role

I developed the drawings for level 39 to 41 tower roof.

Introduction

Project

Parx Casino Hotel Bensalem, Pennsylvania

My Role

This project includes a new ground-up 300 key full-service luxury hotel with 25,000sf of flexible meeting space, a 3-meal restaurant, a rooftop restaurant, bars, coffee and retail shops, spa and fitness center with an enclosed rooftop bar, all located on the surface lot adjacent and directly connected to Parx Casino. The 13 story high-rise building will function independent of the Casino and only be connected for pedestrian circulation. The project will be independently flagged and follow the JW Marriott brand standards for design. Parx Casino Hotel is scheduled to open in 2025.

I joined the team at schematic design phase to set up the project. I started with setting up the site plan and 3d modeling the building, and then setting up the drawing sheets and initiating the plans and elevations. However, I expressed interest in a CA opportunity for another hotel project and soon joined that team.

Gensler

Gensler

Microsoft Engineering Operations Atlanta, GA

Occupying the entirely of Atlantic Yards, a brand new, two-building office in West Midtown’s Atlantic Station redevelopment, a cutting-edge workplace strategy manifests itself in the design of this client’s newest hub in Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood, cultivating a soulful, community driven outpost.

The Client’s workplace strategy ignites the building to provide more than spaces for people to work - it curates experiences for team members and offers them opportunities to make a positive difference in their communities. This new ethos of work transcends the traditional model in favor of a novel approach to designing future workplace.

Microsoft Atlanta Engineering opened for operation in 2022.

I joined the team at design development phase to work with a confidential client and lead a tech heavy interior project I gained valuable experience with SCIF (Sensitive Compartment Information Facility) design while working closely with a challenging client. The biggest challenge was constant client requests for modification during design and construction of the project.

Gensler

Project Introduction

Mercedes Benz USA HQ (AV Studio) Sandy Springs, GA

My Role

A legendary car maker builds a modern, connected environment to enable it to go further and faster. At the new Sandy Springs, GA headquarters of Mercedes Benz USA - the unit responsible for sales and service support as well as marketing MBUSA dealerships - cars and collaborations are on full display. Designed from the inside out, MBUSA’s glassy home is built on the idea of creating an open office environment to better enable communication, collaboration, and ultimately innovation. At just three and half stories, the final geometry is the result of the design concept, that a lower-profile structure with more generous floor areas would better enable them to create the connected environment that client sought. MBUSA opened for operation in 2018.

I joined the team to help with implementing a modification to level 01 adjacent to front entry. The objective was to add a studio for photography and video shoots. My responsibilities included 3d modeling, design documentation and AV coordination.

Gensler

Confidential Client

Multiple Locations (FL, NM, CA, PR, MI, TX, OH, MO, UT, GA) - (South Africa, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Greece, Argentina, Australia, Russia) 5

Project Introduction

Millwork-heavy interior architecture projects, re-purposing of existing buildings, designed per client’s standards at multiple U.S. and International locations. Programs include meeting, assembly and training spaces, gym, cafeteria, offices and more.

My Role

I worked with our team from schematic design phase through CD and permit and bidding phase of the projects. My responsibilities included 3d modeling of the existing conditions, design documentation and internal coordination working closely with interior designers.

My Role

Cloud Kitchens

Multiple Locations (OH, DC, TN, GA, NY, CO, CA)

Cloud Kitchens are ghost kitchens made to serve high delivery demands. Cloud kitchens projects generally include the interior renovation and build-out of existing buildings/ spaces. Gensler’s basic service included preliminary due diligence of a standard Cloud Kitchens facility including modular kitchens, processing center, common staff areas, commercial storage, restrooms, loading dock and code required signage.

Cloud Kitchens Essex project, for example, is an approximately 19,706 sf of existing manufacturing space on one story above grade at 1282 Essex Ave, Columbus, OH.

My responsibilities included 3d modeling, design documentation and internal coordination.

Gensler

Cloud Kitchens | 1282 Essex Ave. Columbus, OH

NameDESIGNATIONAREALoadFactor Occupant Load

172COLDFOODSTORAGES21300.42SF300SF5

171CORRIDORF-11122.45SF200SF7

109CORRIDORSF-13674.03SF200SF19

115DRYFOODSTORAGES2538.77SF300SF3

123EMPLOYEEBREAKROOMB456.80SF50SF10

125FOODSTORAGES2320.49SF300SF2

173FREEZERS2795.54SF300SF4

106KITCHEN01F-1221.27SF200SF2

108KITCHEN02F-1215.08SF200SF2

114KITCHEN05F-1215.08SF200SF2 116KITCHEN06F-1219.14SF200SF2

122KITCHEN09F-1215.14SF200SF2

124KITCHEN10F-1218.34SF200SF2

129KITCHEN13F-1218.44SF200SF2

131KITCHEN14F-1215.24SF200SF2

137KITCHEN17F-1219.14SF200SF2

139KITCHEN18F-1215.08SF200SF2

145KITCHEN21F-1215.08SF200SF2

147KITCHEN22F-1221.27SF200SF2

1005.3.1 STAIRWAYS: SUCHSTAIRWAYSBYMEANSOFEGRESSCAPACITYFACTOROF0.3 1005.3.2

144KITCHEN25F-1217.11SF200SF2 142KITCHEN26F-1215.08SF200SF2 138KITCHEN28F-1214.98SF200SF2 136KITCHEN29F-1219.24SF200SF2 130KITCHEN32F-1217.00SF200SF2 128KITCHEN33F-1215.07SF200SF2 165KITCHEN36F-1215.19SF200SF2 163KITCHEN37F-1215.08SF200SF2 157KITCHEN40F-1215.08SF200SF2 155KITCHEN41F-1215.08SF200SF2 149KITCHEN44F-1221.27SF200SF2 168KITCHEN45F-1229.30SF200SF2 162KITCHEN48F-1230.33SF200SF2 117MEN'SRESTROOMBOHF-1242.81SF200SF2 111OFFICE(BOH)B216.38SF100SF3 102PROCESSINGCENTERM775.81SF300SF4 150TRASHS2261.28SF300SF2 119WOMEN'SRESTROOMBOHF-1260.43SF200SF2 105WOMEN'SRESTROOMFOHF-1193.08SF200SF2

01LIFESAFETYPLAN-LEVEL01

Community Housing We Care Project | Dayton, TN

Residential Units

We Care Community Services is a non-proft organization that announced plans to develop a residential community in Reah County in collaboration with the UTK school of architecture and design.

My proposal is modeled after the idea of the “pocket neighborhood” to provide rental housing for low-income senior citizens.

My proposal for We Care project not only won an award, but also fully satisfed our client.

Section C-C | Night

Revit, Adobe Suite Academic Award Winner COMMUNITY HOUSING 2013

Architectural potentials of circulation can have sociological and communal benefts for the project posed by We Care. Because the project deals with senior housing, there are concerns regarding how to provide a healthy and interactive social environment in a challenging site. This proposal provides opportunities to activate interstitial spaces in a neighborhood setting and introduces ways to deal with challenges of topography in order to provide accessibility. Putting an emphasis on circulation and its spatial qualities, creates an engaging social context and develops the base for an interactive community.

Section C-C | Night

Section C-C Night

Section B-B

Section A-ASection A-A

Section B-B

LIGHT, SPACE and MATERIAL

INVERSION

The Regional Archives in Lund, Sweden is an icon of Swedish architecture with its historic Helsingborg brick, limited fenestration and a sprawling Virginia Creeper climbing its walls. Dating back to the early 1900s, Carl Möller designed a masonry building to house the local and regional government records of designated Swedish provinces which was then expanded in 1971 by Bernt Nyberg’s extension. This branch of the Regional Archives is categorized as a prime example of

Sweden’s modernist brick architecture – a tradition that began with architect Sigurd Lewerentz and his collaboration with Erik Gunnar Asplund for the Chapel of the Resurrection at Woodland. In 2011 a petition was created to save the Bernt Nyberg archives building from being corrupted by piercing of unbroken walls or other exterior changes that shatters the architectural integrity of the extension and ensemble. This project is an affort to propose better solutions

without damaging this building’s architectural integrity. This project was exhibited in Lund, Sweden in 2011.

The main idea of this project is to respect the inegrity of the buildings on the site with an inversion through light, space and material.

Light gives life to a space. The contrast between darkness and light fades gradually throughout the day and night. Dark night gradually inverts into a bright day and the contrast between darkness and light

constantly changes. A space without light is as dead as body without air. The city of Lund, Sweden has the chance to experience longer nights throughout a year. Therefore, it is important to me in this project to embrace the darkness and incorporate the process of inversion into body of my project.

Adopting this concept of inversion into my design enables me to blend with the natural process of nature and connect to the site, landscape and material.

Arch 371 | Professor M. Hall | Lund, Sweden

Revit, AutoCAD, 3DS Max, Adobe suite Selected to Exhibit in Lund, Sweden ADDITION | RENOVATION 2011

MIRRORED INVERSION

The monolithe occupied by its opposite is mirrored in the context and inverted. The connection between these two volumes will not be understood without expriencing the interion of both along with the exterior of them.

In order to achieve this goal, I looked at Nyberg’s monolith as a dark box that needs lungs to bring in natural light and give life to it for human occupation. Therefore, I suggest using fber optic materials in order to transmit light into the space without punching holes for windows . In result the monolith will remain untouched and preserve its grace I then suggest occupying the monolith with a void space , the opposite of the mass, a glass box- addition to an addition . The glass box surrounded by a solid box then becomes inverted and mirrored in the site in order to defne an additional building which will become a dormitory. The new dormitory therefore becomes a concrete structure surrounded by a glass box. The existing Moller building , which is also a dormitory, located between these two buildings then becomes a path of circulation as well as where darkness and light fade. Moller’s building also translates this gradual inversion by providing a strong core and entrance for both dormitories in order to encourage a greater number of commutes through the eastern side of Moller’s building. This is where the calm, dark and quiet Monolith gradually shifts into the active, bright and noisy Dormitory.

In order to achieve this goal, I looked at Nyberg’s monolith as a dark box that needs lungs to bring in natural light and give life to it for human occupation. Therefore, I suggest using fber optic materials in order to . In result the monolith will remain untouched and preserve its I then suggest the opposite of the mass, a glass box. The surrounded by a then be comes and in the site in order to defne an additional building which will become a dormitory. The new dormitory therefore becomes a concrete structure surrounded by a glass box. The existing which is also a dormitory, located between these two build ings then becomes a path of as well as where darkness and light fade. Moller’s building also translates this gradual inversion by providing a strong core and en trance for both dormitories in order to encourage a greater number of commutes through the eastern side of Moller’s building. This is where the calm, dark and quiet Monolith gradually shifts into the active, bright and noisy Dormitory.

Library

Restuarant

CODES

Occupancy Group: B , A3, A-2, S-1, U

Construction type III B

Unprotected, Sprinklered

Max. Height: 75’ Actual: 35’

1st Floor: 38000

2nd Floor: 57000

NASHVILLE COMMUNITY BOATHOUSE

Arch 471, 431 | Professors French and Rabun | Nashville, TN

CREDIT 7.1 HEAT ISLAND EFFECT-NONROOF

Hardscape material with an SRI of 32 for parking areas, permeable pavement

College of Architecture and Design partnered with the Nashville design center to propose student designs for a new Boathouse along the Cumberland River in Downtown Nashville. The primary users of this Boathouse are rowing enthusiasts engaged in recreational and social activities. A variety of boats can be stored in this boathouse; including singles, 2-place, 4-place and 8-place racing shells.

The site is directly adjacent to the Cumberland Park as part of a Riverfront Redevelopment Master Plan and also immedialy to the east of the Korean Veteran’s War Memorial Bridge, on the east side of the Cumberland riverbank.

SUSTAINABLE SITES

CREDIT 4.2 ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION

Bicycle racks and shower and changing rooms provided on the 2nd floor.

CREDIT 6.1 STORM WATER MANAGMENT

Pervious pavers in hardscaped areas promote stormwater infilteration. Hard roof surfaces drain to underground cistern. Emergency overflow tank with connection to storm sewer provided.

Sketchup, AutoCAD, Adobe suite Recreational INTEGRATION 2012

Exercise room

CREDIT 6.2 CONTROLLABILITY OF SYSTEMS- THERMAL COMFORT

All shared spaces have operative temperature control.

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

CREDIT 4 RECYCLED CONTENT

Metal wall and roof panels have at least %20 recycled content by weight.

CREDIT 5.1 REGIONAL MATERIALS

The structural steel material were processed and manufactured within 500 miles

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

CREDIT 4.1 LOW-EMITTING MATERIALS, ADHESIVES, SEALANTS

The field-applied sealant(Tremco JS-773) used with CENTRIA foam and roof panels has a VOC content of 180 grams/liter, which is less than the maximum limit of 250 grams/liter established by this regulation.

Rhino, Adobe suite Master Planning

URBAN NON-CENTER 2014

MODERN DECADENCE

Arch 490 | Professor Hansjorg Goritz | Republic of Latvia

‘Karosta holds a special place in the history of Liepāja and its today life. Karosta was built at the turn of the 19th and the 20th centuries as a military base of Russian Empire. This neighborhood today is a special part of the city where the Tsarist tme architecture coexists alongside with the Soviet era heritage.’ Its most noteworthy sights are St.Nikolay Orthodox Cathedral, the Karosta Prison, the manege, Kalpaks Bridge, the Northern breakwater, the Conventon House of Naval Ofcers etc.

In this project I started with a contextual analysis; looking at architecture of landscapes not only buildings; urbanscapes. I questoned the given context and visualized its potentals as an ideal. This project suggests radical changes for the way places, landmarks and landscapes are built to public beneft. With a contect and site based approach, I proposed forums to provide directons in this context.

Story of Karosta is a scenario where one or more radical changes in the politcal, economic, ecological, or sociological status have accured. I tried to fnd my personal way of making sense of architecture colliding with a radical context. Understanding the place in its current state helped me make an assumpton or a predicton of which directon it should ideally take.

This diploma studio project is the result of the development of a thesis project for Karosta- the ghost town of a former secret Soviet war port in the Republic of Latvia on the Baltc sea.

St. Nicholas’s Orthodox Naval Cathedral (1901–1903)

The Old Water Tower

Memorial Park

Memorial Museum Singing Tower

Singing Trees

Memorial Walk

NEW ORLEANS MULTI-PURPOSE MARKET

This is a proposal for a new market in an actve and busy neighborhood of New Orleans.

The relatonship between the site and its surrounding sites maintains a contnuous walkable circulaton. The site has potentals to provide various services in connecton with the events in the city especially during famous festvals such as Mardi Gras. The main idea of this project is to connect separate sites through a design concept that maintains the contnuity between the sites while providing diferent solutons for each site.

The idea is to achieve contnuity between spaces while maintaining their disconnecton. The elements of contradicton and contrast become a means of spatal discontnuity and emerge as a drive for compression and expansion of forms and spaces as the main soluton to this conditon. Contnuous occurrence of compression and expansion create a unity and contnuity moving from one space to another.

Rhino, Adobe suite Multi-Use Complex URBAN MARKET 2013

Through

DOCK&DECK

MOVING LIGHT

A step toward Sustainable Lighting

LIGHTING

Lighting consumes 20% of global energy. The goal of this proposal is to reduce this energy consumption down to 15% or less of global energy.

The idea is not only to control the light intensity by reducing it when and where the space is not being used or occupied, but also to constantly move a su cient amount of light with an occupant.

Here is an introduction to the key elements of this concept and their functional relationship. In this concept;

- Light sources are a combination of luminaires and sensors.

Zoning de nes active zones(occupied spaces) versus non-active zones(unoccupied spaces); and each zone is provided with adequate lighting.

Dynamic play of light between the zones can become an architectural element refecting kinetic energy of life inside the building and expose the occupant’s movement with the language of light in motion on its facade.

Expressive | Personalized | 2013

3Ds Max, AutoCAD, Adobe suite Structure

Rhino, Adobe suite EYEGLASS

Business Proposal for LUXOTTICA Optical

A Life Cycle of Limestone Old Grey Cemetery 2013 BOOK | PHOTOGRAPHY

Stone by CHARLES SIMIC

Go inside a stone That would be my way. Let somebody else become a dove Or gnash with a tger’s tooth. I am happy to be a stone.

From the outside the stone is a riddle: No one knows how to answer it. Yet within, it must be cool and quiet Even though a cow steps on it full weight, Even though a child throws it in a river; The stone sinks, slow, unperturbed To the river botom Where the fshes come to knock on it And listen.

I have seen sparks fy out When two stones are rubbed, So perhaps it is not dark inside afer all; Perhaps there is a moon shining From somewhere, as though behind a hill Just enough light to make out The strange writngs, the star-charts On the inner walls.

3D Max

Landscape Design 2004

Artificial Waterfall

Architecture Intern Talaar Consulting Engineering

Schematic Design, 3Ds Max Urban Design

TALAAR