11 minute read
Hania Shehab
Master of Architecture
University of Waterloo
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Contact Information
Toronto, Ontario ca: +1 (226) 753 4666 eg: +2 01140566669 haniaashehab@hotmail.com
Behance
About Me
After a 7 and a half year-journey of studying architecture, I believe that a good architect is a good listener
My goal as a person and an aspiring architect is to utilize research and design as tools for listening, collaborating, problem-solving and advocacy.
My interests are cultural translations in architecture, empathetic research & design, spatial design, visual communication, materials, and architectural detailing.
Education
Masters of Architecture
2022
University of Waterloo
Bachelor of Architecture & Urban Design
2019
German University in Cairo
Employment History
Teaching Assistant
University of Waterloo
Ontario, Canada
September 2021 - December 2022
Researcher & Designer
Masonry Works & CCMPA
Ontario, Canada
May - November 2021
Junior Interior Designer
RA Studio
Cairo, Egypt
August 2020 - January 2021
Graphic Designer
CID Consulting
Cairo, Egypt
September 2019 - March 2020
Freelance Graphic Designer
June 2019 - August 2020
Skill Set Recognition
Languages
Bilingual Arabic & English Professional Working French Limited Working German
Tools
Excellent with
2022 - Daleep Singh Award recipient.
2022 - 3D printed clay project selected for exhibition at Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery
2021 - Awarded $900 for Academic Achievement in design studio, University of Waterloo.
2021 - Final Studio Project published on UW website
Good with
Average with
Autocad, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, Rhinoceros, Enscape, Laser Cutting Sketchup, 3ds Max, V-ray, Revit, Grasshopper, 3D Printing, Model Making QGIS, cove.tool, THERM
Design Skills
Creative Thinking, Collaborative Work, Problem Solving, Attention to Detail, Graphic Design, Photography, Illustration, Storyboarding, Rapid Sketching, Presentations.
2019- Graduated with High Honors, German University in Cairo.
Note:
* This document is designed to be digitally viewed in a two-page view.
** Different visulaization techniques were used for the following projects. They are variously themed according to context, client and level of presentation skills.
*** Image Quality might be reduced to fit email size.
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Grafting Maple with Cedar
Masters of Architecture Thesis - 2022 - University of Waterloo
Nestling
Material Syntax - Winter 2022 - University of Waterloo
In Search of Light
Design Studio - Winter 2021 - University of Waterloo
Concrete Masonry in Sustainable Building Practices
Masonry Works & CCMPA - Spring 2021 - Co-op Work Term
Interior Design
RA Studio - 2020
Leapfrogging Development
Schindler Global Award 2019 Competition
Mit Uqba’s Kitchen
Design Studio - Fall 2017 - German University in Cairo
Beirut,
Illustraion by author
Grafting Maple with Cedar
Masters of Architecture Thesis, 2022 - University of Waterloo
Full Thesis: http://hdl.handle.net/10012/19132
Research done under the supervision of Dr. Tracey Eve Winton
Softwares used: Rhinoceros, Enscape, Photoshop, Illustrator, Autocad
Research Abstract
Canada’s metaphor for integrating immigrants is the mosaic —vividly colored pieces of ethnicity, culture, racial identity, and language planted side by side, and in contrast to the melting pot of the American states, Canada is a nation of immigrants from all parts of the world, including the Arab world. The Arab community’s presence in Canada has not been investigated, represented, or responded to as thoroughly as other notable immigrant communities. This thesis begins with a literature review that underscores the fact that there is no one cohesive “Arab” identity, contrary to popular belief. Hence, moving forward with a focus on El Mashreq countries, this thesis investigates the heritage and social dynamics at the heart of El Mashreq culture, supported by a series of stories collected by the author to provide a humanist perspective towards the usually misconceived Arab community in Canada. Employing grafting—the binding of two separate plant pieces into one—as the research’s primary discourse and method of approach, the following thesis speculates on graft architecture as an advocacy tool for racialized minorities, specifically El Mashreq Arabs in Canada. Following the Being an Arab in Canada Study, carried out with the community in Canada with the goal of documenting authentic insight into their needs, a design proposal for an Ahwé—Arabic for coffeeshop—in Old Montreal is presented as a design solution that responds to the community’s longing for social interaction. The design is based on an exploration of contact zones—where disparate cultures meet—through a conscientious analysis of the French-inspired architecture of Cairo, Beirut, and Montreal, envisioning a unique graft of the three. This thesis ultimately argues that grafting can be utilized as an ever-evolving model for the weaving together of distinct cultures sharing space, when intricately implemented into all stages of architectural design; from program, to material use, and modern detailing.
Drawings
Modern Details
Main Furniture Pieces
Ornamented Handrails & Window Details
Exterior View
Nestling
Material Syntax - Winter 2022 - University of Waterloo
Displayed in the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery: https://www.theclayandglass.ca/ exhibitions/past-exhibitions/ Group Project with: Safaa Alnabelseya, Parastoo Varshosaz, Stephanie Wilson Softwares used: Rhinoceros, Enscape, Grasshopper, Simplify 3D, Photoshop, Illustrator, Autocad
Project Description
Nestling is a transformation of the rectilinear brick into a parametric form that brings life into any brick wall by providing habitats for birds, insects, and plants. Ceramic printed unique pieces are designed and printed to be dynamically incorporated within masonry walls while providing various sized openings for various species habitats. The assembly is designed to attract smaller birds native to the region like chickadees and the red breasted nuthatch, while allowing seeds and plants to grow on the lower edges, integrating living organisms and human habitats. Since the size is based on a generic masonry unit, the wall can be assembled in two different applications; a self-standing façade system that connects indoor and outdoor spaces or as installed pieces incorporated within an existing double masonry wall. Habitat biodiversity is enhanced through the integration of living organisms into daily lifestyles of humans by bringing inert homes and façades to life. The symbiotic relationships Nestling represents a future of architectural design systems embodying sustainable interspecies relationships.
Re-envisioning the future of the standard clay masonry unit, Nestling speculates how building façades of the future can be 3D printed with design freedom when compared with conventional brick-making methods while still benefiting from the material properties and characteristics of traditional clay.
In Search of Light
Design of Studio - Winter 2021 - University of Waterloo
Group Project with: Esraa Abouamer, Laila Mourad
Softwares used: Rhinoceros, 3DS Max, Vray-Next, Photoshop, Illustrator
Project Description
In Search of Light is an experimental project investigating, natural and artificial light, shadows, and how they impact architectural materials, human experience, and scale. Apart from architecture and design experimentation, photography principles, composition, visual control, and juxtaposition techniques were mastered to produce compelling images and presentations. The interior spaces were inspired by multiple iconic movies, like The Blade Runner, Citizen Kane, and La Belle et la Bête. A journey of introspect was developed through architecture, where light is the main character that highlights, guides, showcases, and sometimes conceals spaces in the journey. The architectural materials were carefully selected to strengthen the varying experiences offered and alter human experiences within the different spaces.
Concrete Masonry in Sustainable Building Practices
Co-op Term - Spring 2021 - Masonry Works & CCMPA, ON https://rb.gy/bjtv36
Softwares used: Revit, Autocad, Masonry IQ, THERM, Cove.tool, Photoshop, Illustrator
Research Abstract
In a world where climate change concerns and carbon reduction are at the forefront of sustainable building design, concrete block is often dismissed as a sustainable building material, especially by the architectural design community. This research investigates the viability and inclusion of concrete block within sustainable building practices, specifically within the Passive House standards. Based on a set of interviews with experts in the industry, literature reviews and case studies, this paper goes through the performance of the material in reference to the five main topics of carbon, thermal mass, thermal insulation, building envelope, building life cycle, acoustics, durability, and fire resistance. An architectural design is proposed to demonstrate the capabilities of concrete block in sustainable building. The research shows that the material not only meets Passive House standards, but exceeds expectations in some cases, paving the way for Net-Zero Energy building, as well as earning its place as a sustainable building material. Importantly, the research quantified a glaring gap in the currently available design tools for thermal mass calculation. The thermal mass properties of CMU are an integral component of its performance as a durable, resilient and sustainable building material and one of its most competitive features when weighed against other building materials. Given the importance of thermal mass properties and the inability to currently measure this performance, CMU will remain at a distinct disadvantage in sustainable building design where all performance is measured.
Keywords: Construction, Concrete, Masonry, Block, Mass, Net-Zero, PassiveHouse, Lifecycle, Carbon.
Preliminary 3D Illustration produced by MasonryIQ & Revit
Research Conclusion
It is an undeniable fact that to have a building envelope using concrete block would be thicker, more expensive and have a higher carbon footprint than other building materials today. However there is an exponential reduction occurring in the embodied carbon profile of concrete masonry, from raw materials to production to innovative sequestration & carbon capturing technologies. As for Life-Cycle Analyses (LCAs), because most analyses are using “cradle to gate” boundaries, biogenic emissions are not calculated within the LCA of wood, meaning that concrete further exceeds net timber lumber in terms of Global House Gases (GHG) and Global warming potential (GWP). However, despite this omission, at the total combined calculations concrete still has less emission intensity by 6%. A “cradle to gate” LCA can clearly be problematic because it results in inequitable comparison of carbon accounting between building materials, setting various materials at a respective advantage or disadvantage. a “cradle to grave” approach would be a more fair method of comparison. Further more, given the long-term upsides of the material, especially in terms of thermal mass, acoustics, and resilience concrete block exceeds expectations for Passive House standards and paves the way to Net-Zero Energy.
Last but definitely not least, Thermal mass -the most significant property of concrete as a materialwas not accounted for in any of the programs used. Although the analysis above produced by cove. tool shows promising calculations, the research quantified an existing gap in the currently available design tools: thermal mass calculation. Which means that concrete block is often omitted from the conversation around sustainable design under the pretense that it does not support the design, when in fact the problem is that the calculations are incomplete.
5
Interior Design Work
RA Studio - Full-time Work, Cairo, Egypt
Softwares used: Autocad, 3Ds Max, VRay, Photoshop
Project Description
The studio was responsible for designing the interior spaces of this residential villa in New Cairo, Egypt. After several client meetings and discussions, a specific list of materials was agreed upon, matching the desired luxurious style. I was responsible for the Master Bathroom design and visualization, which the client wanted to feel like being in an opulent 5-Star hotel. The main finishing material is the Beige Travertino marble, complemented by Dark Emperador marble slabs, chosen to fulfill the client’s wishes, adding definition, contrast, and elegance to the space. Every element placed in the design was carefully chosen to have a clean, linear geometry, providing a consistent language in the space.
6
Leapfrogging Development
Schindler Global Award 2019 Competition
Urban Planning done in Group work with: Caroline Benjamin & Nour Khaled Softwares used: Autocad, Rhinoceros, VRay, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign
Project Description Undergraduate Work
The SGA competition theme “Leapfrogging Development: Urban Transformation in Mumbai” asks students to carefully consider how the city could use the development of the Eastern Waterfront of the peninsula of Mumbai, India, to realize its full potential in the city and as an inspiring global example for ideas about sustainable, resource responsible cities. It also asks students for ideas about how its development could engage stakeholders and reconcile or balance top-down and bottom-up urban forces. On that basis, the competition is looking for overarching ideas about how the Eastern Waterfront could be developed and what its role could be in the city and in the context of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
By catalytic urban design we set a master program rather than a master plan. A masterplan defines future end conditions. A master program sets more general objectives and ways to reach them. Each catalyst pushes the area around it into a specific direction of function/ theme. This is to provide the new development with diversity and a variety of mixed-uses. Four main pedestrian axes were designed to connect the waterfront to corresponding railway stations on the opposite side of the new development. Each promenade had a different theme like, educational, ecological, cultural, and commercial. The buildings bordering these promenades are mixed-use buildings, with residential units on the upper floor, and the ground floor spaces are used for public or semi-public uses, like shops, workshops, learning classrooms, offices, and so on.
Logtudinal Promenade
New longitudinal promenade acting as a new prototype of open space parallel to the railway stations.
Stitching & Connecting Waterfront to city
Railway stations acting as new start points with newly integrated open spaces as new access hubs.
Stitches are catalytic streets
Main accessibility through catalysts affecting the surrounding and acting as new spirited streets.
Rhythmic Grid
Rythmic grid pausing at the intersection of catalysts. Diverse grid for diverse uses.
Open Spaces
Open spaces blended allowing major connectivity and prolonging into the city.
Green Network
A new green network integrated along the contours of the old 7 islands to reduce the flooding phenomena naturally.
Ecological catalyst to serve the environment.The hub integrated is a museum and meant to protect flamingoes and mud-flats
Educational catalyst promoting new cultural areas and new waterfront library, universities and schools all over the area.
Productive catalyst starting with an agricultural land for production followed by workshops and cultural market - place based productivity.
A new marina bay for leisure higher class activities. New shopping districts and restaurants. Ferries and cruise ship terminals also exist in this area with a catalyst.
Masterplan 1-10000
Top Left: Market Area
Top Middle: Public Garden
Top Right: Agricultural Garden
Bottom: Catalytic Cultural Promenade
7
Mit Uqba’s Kitchen
Undergraduate Work - German University in Cairo
Softwares used: Autocad, Rhinoceros, VRay, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign
This project was included in the multi-disciplinary Rebranding Egypt proposal prepared by the schools of the German University in Cairo for the Egyptian Government
Project Description
The aim of this project is to re-read urban settings as a place for learning, especially for the youth. The project started by constructing an educational urban landscape of mappings in one of Cairo’s complex neighbourhoods, Mit Uqba. Upon studying the area extensively for months, a number of potentially educational layers began to unravel. Everything happening in the neighbourhood takes place on the street, and is exposed to anyone walking by. The nucleus of the area was the local market (Souq in Arabic), it was not just a place for buying fresh produce and poultry, it is a place to get your cars, appliances, and clothes fixed. The proposed intervention is located in an abandoned part of the souq, shaded by old trees and away from the crowds of the market, the area had a small outdoor coffeeshop with very appealing atmospheric qualities. The proposal suggests implementing an outdoor kitchen in the area, where the women of the community can cook and sell fresh meals. It is a small business incubator empowering the women of Mit Uqba and offering them a new source income, with flexible working hours to fit in their daily lives. It supports the stay-at-home women, as well as the working ones who might not have enough time to cook for their families. The outdoor kitchen will get its resources from the existing souq, and its clientele from the populated neighbourhood. It will bring life into this appealing, quite part of the souq, benefiting all genders and age groups through different times of the day.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at: haniaashehab@hotmail.com
