Mohamed Sakr Portfolio

SWAN STREET DORMITORY

BRIEF:

The brief for this project was to compose and test a new residential building typology;anurbandormitory.Thesitewaslocatedinadenseurbanareainthe center of Manchester’s bustling Northern Quarter. The existing exclusionary urban politics and gentrifying regeneration efforts shaped my approach to the project.

APPROACH:

After an iterative testing process, I arrived at an insular form with a semi-open courtyard which could ensure the privacy and resilience of the dormitory. I designed a sequence of modular masses and inter-permeable spaces that serve a different set of private or public uses at different times. Creating a sequence of spaces in that way can activate the dormitory as a cornerstone within the largercommunity whilemaintainingprivacyandsecurityforthestudents.

COLLYHURST TOWER

BRIEF:

In the ‘Infrastructure Space’ Year 3 studio atelier we researched the socioeconomic, environmental, and infrastructural frameworks of space. The site was an obsolete Telephone Exchange which had fallen into disuse due to technological obsolescence. The area’s residents faced increasing risk from displacementduetogentrifyingregenerationprojects.

APPROACH:

I created a solid vertical core from which a dynamic set of functional spaces would grow organically over time. This process, inspired by the metabolist movement, included a regenerative vision for the surrounding landscape. I created a masterplan which includes housing, an industrial zone and a new Collyhurst town-centre. The tower itself emerges deformed and imperfect, a satirical critique of the bland residential towers of Manchester’s neoliberal development.

UNEMPLOYMENT AND

VALUE PRODUCTION:

LABOUR, ARCHITECTURE AND RESILIENCE

INTRODUCTION OF CRITICAL MASS

A DENSE, ADAPTABLE, AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY

CONSTRUCTION FIRM HEADQUARTERS

BRIEF:

The client wanted a relaxed and calming office space that would be a permanent workspace for 60+ employees. The space also needed to represent thecompany’sprogressivebrandanditsuniqueprofessionalcultureandethos.

APPROACH:

A ground floor open working space welcomes users into the space with custom built-inworkstations,allequippedwithstoragespacesandlightingfixtures.The workbenches are organized along a modular grid, and flank a snaking staircase which leads up to the mezzanine. The mezzanine contains private offices for the CEO, management and the accounting department. A grand double-height entrance welcomes users into the space while wooden partitions create privacy for the workers. The structure is a simple steel beam system with horizontal bracing that allow for an exceptionally long-span structure. Ancillary spaces like toilets and a kitchenette are stacked to the back end of the ground floor.

ALLEGRIA FAMILY HOME

BRIEF:

The client wanted an elegant home that him and his wife could retire in. They felt inspired by the motifs and forms of Islamic architecture and they needed a home that could, at a later date, be split into two separateapartments for each of their children (a 1ST floor apartment and basement apartment) with a shared groundlevel.

APPROACH:

DrawingfromthevernacularheritageofMamluk Cairo,thedesignofthishome’s external form was informed from within. It respects, with humility, the aesthetic and structural properties of the earth’s natural materials. I worked with the existing form when possible to create a design that is both delightful and functional. The facades employ a confluence of simple natural materials; clayplaster, glass and wood detailing. The facades employ a confluence of simple natural materials; clay-plaster, glass and wood detailing. A pebbled vegetable garden, domed annex, shaded and exposed finaa’s (Dividing Courtyards) and waterfountainsallsurroundthehome.

AL ULA OLD TOWN BOUTIQUE HOTEL

BRIEF:

Our scopefor theOld TownBoutiqueHotelismainlythemaster planand zoning.

The hotel needs to be designed and regenerated in accordance with the Al Ula ‘Journey Through Time’ vision. It is a critical part of the Cultural Oasis District (COD) and will activate the main Old Town commercial spine called the Incense Road.

Main Entrance

Tantoura Square

Back of House Administrative

Front of House

Recreational

Residential

APPROACH:

We approached this project as an urban regeneration project with conservation at its core. As such, an adaptive re-use methodology guidebook will be developedandstrictlyadheredtobyallparticipatingpartiesinordertopreserve the heritage site and ensure its longevity throughout design, construction and use. Key allocations will be made to integrate the local community into the hotel’s user experience strategy. The five key attractions of the hotel driving our design development are as follows: natural beauty, history and heritage, luxury and excellence, and archeological tourism.

Back of House

Recreational

Residential

Ground Floor

First Floor

Adaptive Re-use Methodology Guidebook: Sample of Research & Findings

Al

Boutique Hotel Site

Residential Recreational

Family Guestrooms (Prototype Module Unit)

Guest Suites (Courtyard Unit)

Single King Guestrooms (Double Module Unit)

Double-Double Guestrooms (Long Module Unit)

Courtyards

Mixed-use Space: Banquet Hall

Conference Hall, Exhibition Space

Spa and Pool

Herb Garden

Supermarket

Multaqa Tearoom

Restaurant and Library

Local Crafts Workshop

Outdoor Lounge

Housekeeping Facility

Back of House Operations

Kitchen

Toilets

Maintenance Office

Reception, Lobby and Front Desk

Bellstand, Coatroom and Luggage Storage

Security Department and Control Room

Administrative Offices (Accounting, HR and Administrative Personnel)

Concierge Desk and Tourist Information Hub

Staff Toilets

MEP Rooms

Staff Changing Rooms

Lounges and Breakrooms

Butlers’ Quarters

Storage and Utility Rooms

Drop-Off Zone

Bin-Room

Service Drop-Off

COSMIC VILLAGE

BRIEF:

Master plan design for the existing 100 acre property to be developed into a mixed-use development including commercial, recreational, residential, hospitality, medical, and educational components. Scope of work: Concept DesignandMasterPlan.

APPROACH:

A central residential/commercial zone is surrounded by a protective park, with lagoons and native plant species and pedestrian walkways. An education hub and sports club (Health Park) occupy the Eastern segment of the site and all flank a smaller Valley Garden. The Western segment houses Higher Education institutions like the university, vocational training school as well as the business districtand ‘TheVillage’ (Recreationalhub).

GROTTO GARDEN

BRIEF:

Revitalization Project for the Grotto Garden established in 1868 in order to restoreit,attractmoreusers,andprovideaneconomicsustainability.

APPROACH:

Our aim was to restore the old pond and introducing a new one to increase the water surface and create more interactive spaces. The building design aimed to be transparent to avoid the disruption of the historic landscape fabric. We also restored the historic pedestrian walkways while introducing new landscape elementstodifferentiatebetweenoldandnew.

NEW CAIRO APARTMENT

BRIEF:

The client needed this relatively small home to serve different programmatic functions at different times. He wanted a home that could be open and inviting when they were alone but that could then be split into separate private and public zoneswhenhehadguestsoverforlessons.

APPROACH:

I worked with natural materials for the design of this apartment for a young newly-wed couple mixing local vernacular styles with a sleek contemporary design. The simple natural qualities of the marble, wood, and fabrics chosen were elevated and ornamental focus was placed on the craftsmanship of the joineryandcleanrelationshipsbetweendifferentmaterials.

Furniture Plan

NILE CRUISE DAHABEYA

BRIEF:

The six-cabin boat was operational in the 1980s and 90s but has been out of commission for more than 20 years. Despite being run-down it boasts detailed arabesque carpentry and exquisite hardwood floors and fixtures. The cruise will followaroutefromCairotomultipleUpperEgyptiandestinations

APPROACH:

The colours and textures of the existing structure are respected and restored whenever possible. The design fuses the local vernacular styles, craftsmanship andheritageofCairoandUpperEgypt withaplayful contemporaryapproach.