Nihal Halimeh - Portfolio

Nihal Halimeh

Architect / Urban Designer / Researcher

Profile

Nihal holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture with Honors from Lebanese American University. A passionate designer and curious researcher, Nihal has practiced architecture and urban design research in several firms and institutions. Before establishing her freelance work, Nihal worked at Bernard Khoury Architects in Beirut, and Pragma Architects Planners in Dubai, being involved in complex projects known for the high-architecture detailing at various scales from concept design to the execution phase. In parallel, Nihal has developed a reputation for working on sustainable community projects with a specific interest in issues of cultural identity and responsive design while also interrogating the relationship between social resistance and architecture. Nihal’s work has been published and exhibited widely in galleries such as Maxxi Museum, Italy; Oslo School of Architecture, Norway; Paris Diderot University, France.

Experience

Education

AA School London

Rethinking Abandoned Metropolitan Masterworks, Berlin

Bachelor of Architecture with Honors

Lebanese American University, Lebanon

Work Experience - 8 years

Self-Employed, UAE

2022 - Present

Al Argan International Real Estate Development, Kuwait

2021 - 2022

Pragma Architects Planners, UAE

2019 - 2021

DW5 Bernard Khoury Architects, Lebanon 2017-2019

Raed Abillama Architects, Lebanon 2014-2017

ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid), Design Consultant, Lebanon

2016-2017

Page 5 to Page 8

Table of Content

Exhibitions & Publications

R esearch

Page 9 to Page 13 Folk H ousing Revisited, Sharjah, UAE

In collaboration with Pragma Architects Planners

Page 14 to Page 18

A Modern-D ay Riviera, Al Jurf, UAE

In collaboration with Pragma Architects Planners

Page 19 to Page 22

The Red Tower, Sharjah, UAE

In collaboration with Pragma Architects Planners

Page 23 to Page 26

TUMO Center f or Creative Technologies, Gyumri, Armenia

In collaboration with Bernard Khoury / DW5

Page 27 to Page 31

Arg an Bedaya School, Sabah Al Salem, Kuwait Personal Work

Page 32 to Page 34

Kalba R ock Art Museum, UAE

In collaboration with Pragma Architects Planners

Page 35 to Page 38

Deser t Campus, Sharjah, UAE

In collaboration with Pragma Architects Planners

Page 39 to Page 42

TUMO Center f or Creative Technologies, Masis, Armenia

In collaboration with Bernard Khoury / DW5

How would the present “the existing” become the foundation for future “sustainability” and how would “the past” act as a lesson that informs our current design methodologies. The talk, entitled “Residual Urbanism,” is a presentation of a study conducted by Pragma’s research division to demonstrate how an archaeological survey of the present conditions of our cities can be projected into the future through a rational approach to design. The talk presents a case study for the incremental regeneration of Al Ghubaiba Neighborhood in Sharjah based on the adaptation, improvement, and eventual transformation of physical characteristics already inherent in that area. The proposal puts forth a scenario visualizing the process and potential outcome for the preservation and enhancement of folk housing as an alternative to wholesale urban renewal and a departure from urban sprawl.

Residual Urbanism

The exhibition intends to put forward some of the most important trends of creative explorations of the contemporary reality intensively incarnated in the city’s development and destiny. It will present some 36 artists, architects, filmmakers, musicians, dancers, researchers, activists with their diverse forms of expressions negotiating between critical reflections of recent history of conflicts, through archiving and re-enacting memories, and prospections of the future, through attempts of urban transformation and global outreaching, periodically interrupted by urgent problems and frustrations of the present.

Curated by Hou Hanru and Giulia Ferracci

Thinking of Alternatives

TRADUCTION DE LA VIDÉO

Camp palestinien de Bourj El Barajneh Le camp été créé en 1949 par les réfugiés arrivés de Palestine en quête d’un espace libre au centre de Beyrouth.

Le camp possède une structure unique et une architecture vernaculaire, conséquence de l’adaptation du camp aux besoins quotidiens de sa communauté, et du contexte politique et social.

Géographiquement replié sur lui-même, ce camp s’étend sur moins d’un kilomètre carré et abrite 30 000 réfugiés.

Comprendre comment les gens vivent une échelle individuelle nous amène découvrir tout un réseau de fonctionnement propre au camp. Cartographier les différents réseaux, leurs interconnexions et leur répartition dans l’enceinte du camp permet une meilleure compréhension des problèmes inhérents au camp des espaces inexploités bien qu’il est un manque crucial d’espace, la pauvreté inéluctablement liée aux lois contraignantes, des compétences mais un impossibilité de les mobiliser. La place Saha est lieu principal de rassemblement de chaque quartier.

Les besoins élémentaires du quotidien et la mémoire collective des habitants du camp ont contribué forger un lot urbain part.

Fête de mariage du couloir la maison Ce contexte d’hyper concentration sans espace libre, rend impossible l’introduction de tout changement.

Tout est interconnecté et interdépendant, une intervention extérieure pourrait impacter les stratégies de survie des habitants et par conséquent provoquer une réaction d’auto-défense.

Balançoire de fête Tous les ans, au moment des fêtes, des balançoires sont installées sur les places pour les enfants.

Camp palestinien de Bourj El Barajneh Beyrouth, Lebanon. Réflexions pour des alternatives partir des toits.

TAMA 2 HOSPITALITÉS

COLLOQUE - FESTIVAL 28/29/30 NOV

Communs étouffésExposition de Sara El Daccache et Nihal Halimeh

DU 26 NOV 14 DEC

Extraits du mémoire de Sara El Daccache " Dans la (sur)vie de ceux qui ont été privés du ciel. Vers une philosophie du seuil affirmation et négation de la vie à Bourj el-Barājneh " introduit par Elsa Guibert

Systemic Design - RSD6

Environment, Economy, Democracy:Flourishing Together

Crafting future in Lebanese Refugee Camps - Burj El Barajneh Camp

The Souk aims to empower an existing network of talent and craftsmanship among the camp inhabitants, thereby creating a metaphorical bridge that connects and brings together segregated divisions on the political, social and urban level. Based on an ethnographic and spatial mapping of existing networks, flows and structures within the Bourj el Barajneh Palestinian camp, the Souk project aims to use architectural methods to address the economic and social relationships within the enclosed city and its surrounding neighbourhoods.

In hyperdense urban contexts like Bourj El Barajneh, space does not function as a neutral or open empty expanse within which new structures can be freely imagined and constructed. Each microspace already serves and negotiates multiple functions, affecting social relationships, livelihoods, health and wellbeing. Even small modifications will therefore have multiple impacts on vital aspects of society.

The current Souk will be renovated into a space that connects the camp to research circles in Lebanon for collective design and socially oriented urban planning. This will mobilize and utilize the camp’s local talent while developing and expanding on the current knowledge and concepts needed to support a sustainable economy.

With the influx of Syrian refugees, the camp population has more than doubled, placing huge strain on infrastructure. Not only socially, but also the rising structures piercing through the urban fabric are negatively affecting the area. The spread of the Syrian refugee residency is found most notably on the peripheral areas. Most housing used by Syrians in the more interior areas of the camp has seemingly followed the area around a path leading to a Saha (Piazza).

Observed weaknesses are largely result of fragmentation: lack of connectivity between certain programmes of the same kind within the camp, as well as limited connections between the camp and its surroundings. Lack of coordination and lack of connecting structures keep these programmes from reaching their full potential. In instances where they are connected more efficiently, such as the case of Sahat Palestine (where the souk in it has connection to the neighbouring souk), the programme strengthens the marketplace to become an integral part of the city's souk.

There is an extreme lack of space within the camp, with most rooms shared by three people or more. There is also lack of public space. The only spaces in which people could gather are the residual spaces around markets and between buildings. These Sahat (Piazzas) are scattered around the camp and include, spaces created by souk on the periphery of the camp, and spaces adjacent to institutional buildings.

Other breathing spaces are ‘dead spaces’ within the building blocks that are left unused or used for technical reasons since elevating them to the roofs is rather challenging. These could be transformed into more usable spaces since open space is so scarce and could serve the communities around them.

Crafting Future in Lebanese Refugee Camps

The principal strength and resources of the camp derive from trust, a strong social fabric and solidarity. However, physical structures do not always support coordination and necessary connections. For example the commercial streets that are ample in and around the camp are strong in their immediate locations, yet on an urban level are disconnected. Disconnection and fragmentation becomes bottleneck, preventing existing programmes from developing further, networking with other organisations and receiving positive

Folk Housing Revisited

Research

Urban Design - Residential

Life in sha’bi (folk) neighborhoods takes on a different nature from modern residential communities. These neighborhoods are often characterized by qualities of social cohesion and interaction amongst their residents rarely found in newly built residential neighborhoods. Despite the deteriorated conditions of many of these neighborhoods and neglect of public facilities within them, they contain physical characteristics that engender desirable social behaviors and public life. The regeneration of Al Ghubaiba area based on the adaptation, improvement and eventual transformation of these neighborhoods through a gradual process of urban regeneration. The proposal puts forth a scenario visualizing the process and potential outcome of preserving and enhancing some of the qualities already inherent within these areas. The design process involved field research and surveys to document the existing conditions mapping “unregulated” spill out areas outside of the residential units where informal seating, children play areas, or urban farming take place.

In collaboration with Pragma Architects Planners ©

Courtyard View (Render)

Pragma Architects Planners ©

FURNITURE PLACED OUTDOOR

GROUND COVER

TREES FOR SHADING

Pragma Architects Planners ©

Design Strategy

Enhancing & promoting the growing of vegetables as a community activity

OUTDOOR SEATING

After understanding the social behaviour of the residents, frontage seating will act as an extension of their homes & will encourage interaction with neighbours

HYDROPONIC STRUCTURE

A garden structure, growing vegetables, herbs, and fruiting plants. The produce is grown hydroponically, with the use of water only

URBAN FARMING

URBAN LANDSCAPE

Planting local species, which require little or no irrigation.

Courtyard View (Render)

Pragma Architects Planners ©

A Modern-Day Riviera

Competition

Urban Design - Residential

“Riviera,” an Italian word which means “coastline” often refers to a coastal region frequented as a resort area and usually marked by a mild climate. We start this project by looking at the characteristics that define some of the most celebrated and memorable rivieras around the world. Through an understanding of these characteristics, we can formulate a premise through which an architectural solution can emerge. The criteria that make some of these settings memorable to their visitors are often universal but are also driven by local idiosyncrasies that make them unique from each other. The massing strategy relies on breaking the scale of the residential block down into a series of “mini-blocks” creating a village reading. The residential block is read vertically (as opposed to horizontally). The articulation of these mini-blocks with a distinct reading of the base and the upper floors in addition to varying heights strengthens further this strategy. Lighter ephemeral elements that define spill out zones in front of shops on the ground level help clarify the way buildings meet the ground and provide a highlighted coastal character.

In collaboration with Pragma Architects Planners ©

Courtyard View (Render)

Pragma Architects Planners ©

SOUQ

QASR

The “Souq” defined as he rimary nternal R etail/F&B pedestrian s pine elineated by ows of residential buildings on each side. This spine occasionally p unctuated plazas and alleyway that o pen up o surface parking, nternal court

yards and the Qasr. The architecture o th “Souq” romotes sense of d ensity a nd e nclo

sure. Loggias, b alconies and, enestrations o verlooking this a rea attempt to chieve privac through c alibrated fenestration izes nd “mashrabiya” screens.

The “Palace” z one acts the threshold between the development and the Qasr. Unlike he ouk, buildings that ave retail b ase, he b uildings facing the Qasr re urrounded with ffer zone of h eavy v e getation and gardens which screen the ground level nd e ssentially reate a reen belt round the edge o the buildings. he an

guage used n the architecture s a combinatio that m erges b etween he own (solid) and th coastal (open) surroundings w hile he c olor p alette sed borrows ques elated o the Q asr w it its green roof and other pastel colors from othe master plan character zones.

COURTYARD

Internal ourtyards gardens a re characterize d by strong domestic s e nse. They ntroduce a nd element of s urprise and playfulness within he development with heir m onochromatic ccen colors. Each ourtyard h as different palette which becomes a way o providing a location identity. Due to he mall cale o the courtyards and the closeness of he alconies o each ther screens and panels ave defined the courtyar d façade module. T he cale this m odule also gives domestic haracter o the courtyard that promotes p rivacy nd e nclosure. The gardens at the ground evel ct s the backyard o the hous e which also a dd o n the privacy character of he courtyard

RIVIERA

The “Riviera/Beach” the “destination” that lies the erminus of he S ouq spine and open up the waterfront. The beach acts s public promenade that osts ublic activities o al neighborhood residences. T he m ain parameter that defines this rea is he o penness. A ccordingly, he anguage u sed composed o lighters frames and more x pansive w indows. T he olor palette used reflects the sand and the sky. Also, the landscape nd he p ublic realm becomes less igid nd defined by slands o vegetation and alm trees drawn round the residentia clusters - n contrast o the rigid planters s prea around the Souq area.

The Red Tower

Concept Design / Design Development Residential

The Red Tower, a 42-story residential building in Al Majaz district along the Sharjah Khaled Lagoon waterfront, consists of five projections configured to maximize and negotiate views within its compact urban setting. The design operates along two primary premises. One is the maximization of views out to the waterfront. The slender form is driven via the maximization of occupancy along the elevation facing the lagoon. The oblique projections direct views toward the best orientations on the upper levels and allow the lower units to have better vantage points in relation to the surrounding buildings - avoiding the narrow window to window relationship common within its urban context.

In collaboration with Pragma Architects Planners ©

Typical Plan - Front View

Typical Living Room - Roof Top Pool Pragma Architects Planners ©

TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, Gyumri

Concept Design / Construction Documents / Execution Institutional

Despite having survived two major earthquakes gravely damaging the city, Gyumri still attracts visitors to witness the relics of its historic architecture and protected buildings. The Gyumri Theater acquired its title from the opera house it once held, for which the main hall was converted into its most characteristic space: a theater with a pivoting stage. Our intervention consists of reconfiguring the Gyumri Theater building into interactive learning platforms, with the main working space planned within the former opera house theater, designed as a stepped collective workspace and 3D printing lab that can be converted into its former 200-seat theater space for screenings and performances.

In collaboration with DW5 Bernard Khoury Architects ©

Front Facade

From Opera Stage Hall Towards Workshop Space

ARGAN BEDAYA SCHOOL

Concept Design / Site Supervision / Execution

Institutional

Located in the city of Kuwait, Argan Bedaya is a purpose-built community enriching lives through multi-generational learning methods, funded by Al Argan Development in Kuwait. The project was assigned to us to revise the existing building skeleton designed by Blank-page Architects from Lebanon. The school offers a new specific learning condition consisting of classrooms, multipurpose rooms, outdoor spaces, and a garden on the rooftop. The journey starts at the entrance, where the kids and parents first meet with the school staff. To give warmth to the welcoming platform, we used wooden louvers to define the space and to provide warmth to the tripleheight atrium. The classroom’s configuration reflects the Montessori approach, which is student-led and self-paced but guided, assessed, and enriched by knowledgeable and caring teachers, the leadership of their peers, and a nurturing environment.

Reception - Classroom - Multipurpose Room

Kalba Rock Art Museum

Competition Cultural

Situated on one of the UAE’s most sensitive and natural mounds, Kalba Rock Museum comprises a circular gallery around the courtyard open to the mountain’s main activities, the hiking trail, the mountain top, and the observation tower. The Museum will also provide education and visitor facilities to increase environmental awareness and engagement with nature. The hiking trail is made of wooden panels on vertical pillars around the mountain, reaching the top with a viewing tower. The following components define the intervention: The enclosed space (two-thousand square meters) includes the rock art research center and exhibition rooms; the roof garden is accessible to the public; the water body comes naturally from the top of the mountain to the lowest point surrounding the building; and the outdoor areas include courtyards and observation decks.

In collaboration with Pragma Architects Planners ©

Desert Campus

Competition

Administrative

A master plan for a new administrative campus on four square kilometers of land along the new Khor Fakkan road. The scheme promotes a campus that is dense, compact, mixed, sustainable, and centered around pedestrian movement. This new urban center is meant to serve the surrounding suburban residential areas and provide the governmental and administrative facilities they need. The result is a hyper-dense, ecologically sensitive urban territory sitting within the desert setting with diverse building stock, cultural and recreational features, and a varied network of interconnected public open spaces. Twelve development clusters or quads are defined by “green fingers” which function as innovative green infrastructures and parkland zones. The urban fabric within each development cluster creates a range of interconnected urban neighborhoods. The structure of the urban block is defined by the campus quads.

In collaboration with Pragma Architects Planners ©

Bird View Master Plan

Pragma Architects Planners ©

TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, Masis

Competition

Institutional

In

collaboration with DW5 Bernard Khoury Architects ©

Exterior view

Internal courtyard can hold different events during the year

KAJ Villa

Concept Design / Site Supervision / Execution

Residential

The Residence is in Jumeirah Park Dubai. With a total built-up area of approximately four-hundred-fifty square meters, the program consists of conventional components of a residence in addition to an outdoor pool and a garden lounge. Out intervention was dictated by an existing structure tweaked to host the client’s needs. The concept reflects the client’s personality defined through the entertainment rooms distributed in the house; the client’s Marvel collection surrounds the office room on the first floor for him to experience his imaginative memory; the Den room on the ground floor is a getaway space that transition between the living room and the garden.

Design Proposal (Render)

Master Bedroom - Office - Family Living