Architecture portfolio, by Muhieddin Hamadah (2022-2025)

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ARCHITECTURE P O R T F O L I O MUHIEDDIN

RIBA Part I

HAMADAH

MUHIEDDIN

HAMADAH

RIBA Part 1

Contact Address Ca rd i f f, Wa l e s

Phone + 4 4 74 5 2 7 2 7 2 9 2

Email

Prof ile Driven Part 1 Architectural Assistant with expertise in design, drafting, and 3D modeling.

Prof icient in Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Photoshop, and InDesign.

Experienced in sustainable and innovative design through academicprojects, with a strong passion for environmentally responsible architecture.

Highly detail-oriented, analytical, and collaborative, ready to contribute creative and practical solutions.

muhieddin2003@gmail.com

Linkedin w w w. l i n k e d i n . c o m / i n /m u h i e d d i n - h a m a d a h

Instagram archby_mh

Education

Wo rk Ex p e ri e n ce

C a r d i f f M e t r o p o l i t a n U n i v e r s i t y . Sep 2022 - June 2025

Summer Architectural Intern .

Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)

Loyn+Co Architects, Penarth

C a r d i f f a n d Va l e C o l l e g e . Sep 2020 - June2022 BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Construction & The Built Environment

July 2024

Contributed to client presentations by preparing materials using AutoCAD, Photoshop, SketchUp, and InDesign. Gained practical experience through site visits.

Professional Chess Player.

Oct 2016 - Sep 2020

Cardiff Chess Club, Cardiff Playing chess since age 6, I became the youngest player in

Skills

my club’s men’s league at 13. This developed my analytical, strategic

thinking,

decision-making,

and

ability

to

stay

focused under pressure.

Skilled in AutoCAD, Revit and Sketchup.

Prof icient in Adobe softwares like Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

Experience in Physical model-making and Hand drawings.

Regular user of rendering softwares like Twinmotion and V-Ray.

Languages English

Full professional prof iciency

Arabic

Native Speaker

Innovative team collaborator and time manager.

References Achievements

D r Fa u s to S a n n a PhD, MArch, PG Cert (HE), FHEA , ARB, RIBA Head of Department

(Designed & Built Environments)

S t u d e n t o f t h e Ye a r a w a r d f o r C r e a t i v i t y, P r o f e s s i o n a l i s m , a n d E x e m p l a r y Wo r k . Jun-2025

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Best presentation award for the project, A r c h i t e c t u r a l H e r i t a g e . May-2024

Phil Grant Model Tutor Cardiff Metropolitan University pgwgrant@cardiff met.ac.uk

Best Physical model award for the project, A r c h i t e c t u r a l H e r i t a g e . May-2024 2 n d p l a c e a t T h e 3 0 t h j u n i o r C a r d i f f a n d Va l e C h a m p i o n s h i p s . Feb-2018 1st place at the Syrian Republic Chess C h a m p i o n s h i p . July-2014

fsanna@cardiff met.ac.uk

Matthew Thomas Model Tutor Cardiff Metropolitan University mwthomas@cardiff met.ac.uk

Content Page 01

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EverGreen University

The Artisian Hub-The Serenity Home

Lumen Theatre

YEAR III BSc 2024-2025 Page 6-21

YEAR II BSc 2023-2024 Page 22-35

YEAR I BSc 2022-2023 Page 36-41

Introduction In this portfolio, you’ll find a range of work completed during my undergraduate architecture studies at Cardiff Metropolitan University. It showcases various projects and building types, supported by visuals and construction details created using software such as AutoCAD, Revit, Photoshop,Twinmotion,V-Ray, and SketchUp. My design process also involved concept models and freehand sketches, which helped shape the final forms.

The quality of this work and the visual style I developed led to me receiving the ‘‘Student of the Year Award for Creativity, Professionalism, and Exemplary Work’’ in June 2025. My strong interest in architectural theory also contributed to achieving a First-Class grade in my dissertation, ‘‘The Evolution of Khan’s Theory of Light and Shadow’’, and a predicted FirstClass Honours degree at graduation.

01 Ever Green University Project Type: Educational Building Project Year: Year III BSc Location: Callaghan Square, Cardiff Area: 3135 sq. m

The project centers on designing an educational building alongside a separate accommodation facility, strategically located in Callaghan Square, Cardiff. The primary goal is to establish a university dedicated to sustainability education, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable principles and practices. This proposal emphasizes not only theoretical learning but also hands-on experience with innovative techniques and methods that promote sustainable living.

By fostering awareness and practical skills, the university aims to inspire and empower students to apply sustainability concepts in their personal lives and future careers, contributing to a more environmentally conscious and resilient society.

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The site located in central Cardiff near Callaghan Square, occupies a strategic position within walking distance of Cardiff Central Station and the city’s commercial core. It benefits from excellent connectivity and visibility, making it ideal for public or educational use. A university building on this site would thrive due to its accessibility for students, staff, and visitors via public transport, and its proximity to urban amenities, cultural institutions, and potential industry partners for collaboration. The surrounding context—characterised by modern offices, transport infrastructure, and green pockets—offers both urban density and open space for interaction and relaxation. While nearby traffic and rail activity pose challenges such as noise and air quality, these can be mitigated through sensitive architectural interventions, ensuring a vibrant and well-integrated academic environment.

Callaghan Square - SITE ANALYSIS Callaghan Square, located in central Cardiff, is a prime spot with excellent connectivity, offering easy access to public transport, including Cardiff Central Station and major bus routes.

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Buildings use

Industrial Residential Institutional Retail

These maps highlight key information about the buildings surrounding the site, including their function, age, and height. One map also shows the distances to various important buildings and landmarks nearby.

Understanding the height of surrounding structures was particularly influential, as the site is enclosed by high-rise buildings—this inspired me to design a roofscape that remains visually engaging when viewed from above.

Leisure

Buildings Age

Modern Sixties / Seventies Postwar Interwar Historic

Buildings hight 0

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Callaghan Square - WIDER CONNECTIONS

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Noticing the taller surrounding buildings, I realised the site will be viewed from above—making the roof design a key architectural feature.

I wanted to communicate the idea of sustainability as a core value of the university by expressing it prominently through one of the building’s key elements. I chose the roof to reflect this message, shaping it like a leaf to symbolise nature and environmental consciousness. Beyond its symbolic form, the roof also functions as a teaching tool for students—it is made of tensile fabric embedded with photovoltaic cells that absorb sunlight and convert it into energy, mimicking the natural process of a leaf. This concept was central to my design from the beginning, although I was initially unsure about the building’s overall layout. To explore different possibilities, I experimented with various forms through sketches and quick concept models.

1st Form

2nd Form

This early design symbolised stacked leaves, but connecting all three areas—education, conference, and accommodation—into one mass reduced privacy and blurred functional boundaries.

This version emphasises the leaf shape and adds two pedestrian routes, though its elongated form may restrict key landscape features like seating and informal gathering areas.

3rd Form

4th Form

At this stage, I introduced gentle, nature-inspired curves that shaped the organic exterior while maintaining a functional interior layout without compromising spatial clarity or usability.

This form allowed more outdoor space but created awkward, unusable areas near the entrance, disrupting layout clarity and circulation while reducing overall footprint efficiency.

5th Form

6th and final Form

I separated the programme into two buildings and positioned them to form a welcoming entrance, encouraging a natural, intuitive flow toward the site’s main doors.

I kept the building form, rotated both structures for morning sunlight, redesigned green spaces with two entrances, and tilted the roof to improve rainwater drainage.

CONCEPT PHYSICAL MODELS These concept models were developed during the initial phase of my project. They enhanced my understanding of the building’s form and relationship to the landscape, and also made it easier for me to communicate my ideas more effectively to tutors.

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These sketches illustrate the ceiling design and the options I considered. I ultimately decided to expose the structure of the conference hall to align with the overall architectural concept of the building and to celebrate the honesty of materials and structural expression.

This sketch conveys the concept of expressing a leaf through the form of the skylight. The supporting structure of the skylight is inspired by the leaf ’s veins, creating an organic framework. Positioned above the central atrium, the skylight will channel natural light throughout the entire building.

FREE HAND SKETCHES 11

Here you can see early freehand sketches exploring various design ideas for both the building’s exterior and interior. The exterior sketch illustrates an initial concept for the tensile structure and how it would appear to users within the surrounding landscape.

Site Response diagram Site location and area

Important views into the site/ location of each building.

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landscape of the site following the view

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Building orientation diagram Site location and area

Orientation of the building to follow th

Building placement on site

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Concept Diagrams- SITE RESPONSE The first diagram explains how the spaces on the site were divided using important views into the site.

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w geometry.

Shape and location of differnt sections on the site.

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he views geometry

Final form of the site plan.

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Adding the canopy to connect the buildings

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Final form of the site plan

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Concept Diagrams- BUILDING ORIENTATION 13

The second diagram explains how the orientation of the buildings was chosen to allow a sweeping edge welcoming environment towards the main entrance.

1. University Building 2. Accommodation Building 3. Middle seating space 4. University Seating/ Pop up market space 5. Accommodation Private outdoor space 6. Seating space 7. Out-side workshop 8. Bike Stands

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Master Plan The site plan illustrates the overall layout and orientation of the two main buildings, along with a roof plan view. The site is organized into three primary zones: a central seating area, a pop-up market, and an outdoor space for accommodation.

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Comu nal room

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Loundry room

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Studio Flat 1 Studio Flat 2 Studio Flat 3

nt Pla m o Ro

Studio Flat 6

Stud io Flat 5 Stud i Flat o 4

Ground Floor On Site 15

The ground floor includes the lower level of a 200-seat conference hall, two student workshops for testing sustainable materials, and a canteen for users and visitors to enjoy breaks. On the east side, the accommodation block features a communal room and six studio flats designed for student living.

Section A-A

Section B-B

Master Plan These sections are taken from the center of the university, illustrating the building’s vertical arrangement, the skylight, and the central atrium. They also highlight the raised structure supporting the skylight, which enables the attachment of the tensile canopy and facilitates effective rainwater runoff.

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ROOF Tensile Structure .1 Sky Light .2

2ND FLOOR Library .1 Study Zone .2 Office .3 Computer Room .4 Metting Rooms .5 WC .6

1ST FLOOR Studio Class-Rooms .1 Confrence hall .2 Computer Room .3 Offices .4 Projectile Room .5 WC .6

GROUND FLOOR Confrence Hall .1 Cafe .2 WorkShops .3 Offices .4 Kitchen .5 Reception .6 Plant Room .7 WC .8

Expanded Diagram 17

The exploded diagrams reveal the floor layouts, the form of the roof and skylight, as well as the exposed glulam structure.

The first floor features two flexible open-plan studio classrooms that adapt to varying spatial needs. On the second floor, I designed an open-plan library opposite a study zone, which includes private study rooms and computer desks.

1. EPDM Membrane 2. Protective layer 3. 150 Mineral Wool Insulation 4. Vapour Control Layer 5. 240mm CLT Panel (40,30,40,20,40,30,40) 6. Screws Supporting CLT 7. 150x150mm Cant strip at 45o 8. Mineral wall insulation between the struds 9. 15mm WBP Plywood 10. Treated softwood framing studs 11. Beveled Space 12. Metal coping 13. 25mm Laminated Floor Finish 14. 22mm Floring gradeChipboard 15. Timber battens between the sound insulation 16. 50mm sound insulation Mineral wool 17. Acoustic resilient mat 18. 240mm CLT Panel (40,30,40,20,40,30,40) 19. 10mm foam packing 20. Steel bracket covered with a skirting board 21. 150mm CNC-milled curved CLT panel (35,25,30,25,35) 22. Vapour control layer 23. Screws holding the insulation 24. 140mm Wood-Fibre insulation 25. Breather membrane 26. 38mm counter vartical batten 27. Sealing tape 28. 38mm Horizontal timber batten 29. 30mm Vertical timber Cladding 30. Helping hand system fixed to CLT 31. Damp proof membrane 32. 300mm Concrete raft foundation 33. Polythene Seperation layer 34. 100mm Rigid Insulation 35. Vapour Control Layer 36. 65mm Screed 37. 20mm Terrazzo 38. Screws fixed to Foundation 39. 10mm foam packing between wall and screed 40. Steel bracket covered with a skirting board 41. Plastic mesh 42. Drip flashing fixed to the CLT panel 43. Styrofoam closed cell insulation board 44. Weephole every 900mm 45. Weak concrete mix 46. Engineering bricks 47. Pressure impregnated timber batten 48. DPC

Construction Details Of Main Junctions Of The Building These details illustrate a key junction from the university building, where a warm deck roof system was employed to ensure high thermal performance and reduce cold bridging. The details also highlight the use of exposed CLT (cross-laminated timber) for both its structural integrity and aesthetic warmth, celebrating the natural material as a defining feature of the interior design.

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Construction Details Of Main Junctions Of The Building 19

A raft foundation was used for its ability to evenly distribute loads across the site’s ground conditions, providing stability and minimizing settlement. The exposed CLT panels are CNC-milled into curved forms to achieve a clean, flush surface between panels. A 30mm vertical timber cladding was used to enhance weather resistance while complementing the natural aesthetic of the CLT structure.

The two interior images highlight the spatial arrangement and showcase the exposed CLT surfaces alongside glulam columns and beams. The exterior view emphasizes the timber façade—chosen for its sustainability as a renewable, lowcarbon material visually connected to nature—and shows how shading fins reduce direct sunlight and overheating.

The final aerial image presents the overall design, revealing the site layout and building form from above. Both the exterior and aerial views also clearly show the shape of the tensile structure integrated into the building.

INTERIOR / EXTERIOR VISUALS - University Building These views were exported from the SketchUp model into AutoCAD to refine the line weights, then brought into Photoshop for texture application. I also used my skills in Twinmotion to enhance the visuals with realistic sun and lighting effects.

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SKY VISUAL - Over All Design 21

This view was developed using multiple software tools. It was first created in SketchUp, then imported into AutoCAD to refine and adjust the line weights, and finally brought into Photoshop to apply textures and visual details.

02 The Artisian Hub I The Serenity Home Project Type: Community Centre-Accommodation Project Year: Year II BSc Location: Butetown, Cardiff Area: 2600 sq. m

Located in Butetown, Cardiff, this project combines a vibrant community arts hub with a residential building for elderly residents on a shared site.

The Artisan Hub is designed to celebrate cultural diversity and support creativity by providing an inclusive space for artists, craftspeople, and the wider community to collaborate and share skills.

Alongside it, the residential building offers accessible, comfortable living for older adults, promoting independence and social connection through thoughtful layouts and shared amenities.

Together, both buildings create a cohesive environment that fosters intergenerational interaction and community well-being.

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The site proposed is in Grangetown, Cardiff, a diverse, community-driven area just southwest of the city centre. The surroundings feature mainly Victorian terraced houses with red-brick façades, reflecting the area’s working-class roots. Grangetown has a multicultural identity, supported by local mosques, churches, schools, and green spaces like Grange Gardens. A community centre here would strengthen the area’s social ties, while accommodation for elderly people would promote inclusion and support aging residents within a familiar, connected environment.

Site Location Analysis This map illustrates the site’s overall location, along with prevailing sun and wind directions, and includes several photos capturing views both into and out of the site.

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Important Places

Noise The Coal Exchange Hotel

Cardiff Bay Police Station

Mount Stuart Primary School

Roads

Area Functions Minor roads

Minor roads

Offices

Emergency Services Main Road

Offices

Residential

Residential

Minor roads

Educational

Transport

Site Location Analysis 25

These maps highlight key aspects considered during the site analysis, including building uses, noise sources, road networks, and significant landmarks surrounding the site.

Master plan The masterplan illustrates the locations of both the accommodation and the community centre buildings, highlighting the connecting pathway between them that also provides access to the car park.

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Bedroom 1 Bedroom 2

Kitchen

Kitchen

Communal space WC

Dinning room

Living room

Living room

Bedroom 1 Bedroom 2

Dinning room

Small Sports hall

WC

Kitchen

Living room

Plant room

Kitchen

ST

Reciption Dinning room

Bedroom 1

Cafe

WC

Bedroom 2

Main Sports hall

Staff Office Changing room

Changing room

Ground Floor In Context 27

The ground floor plan shows both buildings. The accommodation block includes three two-bedroom apartments per floor, totaling 11 units, with a roof terrace on the third floor. The community centre opens into a reception area that leads to a café and a kitchen, which also serves the small sports hall.

The concept behind this building was to make use of varying internal room heights, creating a clear sense of spatial division—each height representing a distinct interior function. The zigzag layout was designed to connect the building to the car park while reinforcing the height-based concept. These changing heights also allowed for multiple roof terrace levels, enhancing outdoor accessibility and providing shared spaces that encourage interaction and relaxation for users.

EXPANDED / CONCEPT DIAGRAM-Community centre The expanded diagrams illustrate how the upper floors are organised, while the concept diagrams reflect the design journey and key decisions that shaped the final form of the building.

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The concept of the accommodation building was to create an alternating in-andout layout, allowing for the integration of greenery and enhancing the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. This design not only softens the building’s façade but also forms a visually engaging winter garden, offering elderly residents a calming and accessible space to enjoy throughout the year.

EXPANDED / CONCEPT DIAGRAM-Accommodation building 29

The exploded diagrams of the accommodation building show how each floor follows a consistent pattern and layout, offering clearer insight into the internal spatial divisions. The concept diagram also outlines the key stages that led to the final form of the building.

Site elevations - NORTH AND SOUTH These elevations highlight the different materials used on the building façades. Following the site analysis, I observed that red brick is widely used in the surrounding context, so I chose it as the primary façade material for the accommodation building to reflect and respect the local character.

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Site elevations - EAST AND WEST 31

I chose timber cladding as the primary façade material for the community centre, as it complements the greenery on the roof terrace and reinforces a natural, welcoming aesthetic. These elevations also highlight the building’s height in relation to the surrounding context, ensuring it sits comfortably within the existing streetscape.

INTERIOR RENDER- Community Centre-Art Studio This visual was created using Twinmotion, based on a SketchUp model, and then enhanced in Photoshop to improve its visual appeal and more clearly communicate the spatial experience.

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INTERIOR RENDER- Accommodation Building, Apartment Layout 33

This visual was created using Twinmotion, based on a SketchUp model, and then enhanced in Photoshop to improve its visual appeal and more clearly communicate the spatial experience.

EXTERIOR VISUAL - Community Centre - Front View This visual was created using a combination of software. The view was exported from the SketchUp model into AutoCAD to define line weights, then brought into Photoshop to apply textures and final detailing.

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EXTERIOR VISUAL - Accommodation Building - Front View 35

This visual was created using a combination of software. The view was exported from the SketchUp model into AutoCAD to define line weights, then brought into Photoshop to apply textures and final detailing.

03 Lumen Theatre Project Type: Open Air Theatre Project Year: Year I BSc Location: Fairwater Park, Cardiff Area: 662 sq. m

The Lumen Theatre, located in Fairwater Park, is an open-air performance space inspired by the ripple effect of raindrops on water. Its circular design blends naturally with the park’s landscape, creating a peaceful and welcoming setting for the community.The theatre is built with sustainability in mind, using eco-friendly materials and minimizing its impact on the environment. With its elegant design and connection to nature, the Lumen Theatre is a unique space for performances and gatherings, celebrating creativity and the beauty of the outdoors.

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Master Plan This masterplan shows the building’s location at the top of Fairwater Park in Cardiff. It includes two main structures: an open-air theatre and a house design positioned in the park’s north-west corner. The map also marks the locations of twelve sculptures placed throughout the site shown in red.

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Dressing room Staff shower

Storage

Staff shower Stage

Standing area

Control room

Standing area

Seating area

WC

WC

Ground Floor In Context 39

The building is a single-storey structure designed in a circular form to create a sense of enclosure and focus, enhancing the acoustics and audience experience—making it well-suited for its function as an open-air theatre.

ELEVATION - South And West These elevations highlight the use of timber cladding, chosen to blend with the park’s natural surroundings. The roof is shaped to direct rainwater for collection and reuse, supporting sustainable design. Warm, earthy façade colours reflect the building’s theatrical function, adding a subtle sense of drama while fitting into the landscape.

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EXTERIOR VIEW 41

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On 13 June 2025, I was honoured with the Student of the Year Award for Creativity, Professionalism, and Exemplary Work at Cardiff Metropolitan University. This recognition was based on my third-year achievements, particularly my graduation project, ‘EVER GREEN University’, which is featured as the first project in my portfolio.

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MUHIEDDIN

HAMADAH

RIBA Part 1

750 Newport road, Cardiff, Wales +44 74572727292 muhieddin2003@gmail.com www.linkedin.com/in/muhieddin-hamadah archby_mh

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