PORTFOLIO Saadman Ahmed
Selected Works
2021-2024
Saadman Ahmed
Architect (OAA), Builder (HCRA), M.Arch, B.Arch
Licenses
Architect
Ontario Association of Architect (OAA)
Tarion Builder/Vendor
Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA)
Employment (Post Grad)
BDP Quadrangle
Toronto, ON / Intermediate Architect
Feb 2022 - Current
• Managed a team of designers to produce drawings and submission packages for Rezoning Applications, Site Plan Approvals, Permit Drawings, and Contract Administration phases of several large-scale mixed-use residential projects, each with over 100,000 square meters of gross floor area.
• Coordinated with external consultants, internal team members, and highprofile clients - including Cortel Group, Minto Group, First Capital REIT, and AIPL Canada - to execute submission packages at each phase of design and construction.
Masters of Architecture (M.Arch)
University of Waterloo
Sep 2019 - Jan 2021
Bachelors of Architecture (B.Arch)
University of Waterloo
Sep 2014 - Aug 2019
Skills
Revit
V-Ray
Awards Education
JSSAC Essay
(Martin Eli Weil Award)
Of the essay entitled: Contemporary Challenges of Islamic Identity in Canada
(Peer reviewed - Feb 2021)
BASS Homes
Toronto, ON / Builder + Co-owner
Feb 2022 - Current
• Oversaw the design and construction of several single-family detached homes, coordinating closely with architects and subcontractors for projects located at the Cliffcrest and Guildwood neighborhoods of Scarborough, Ontario. Some of the projects include 58 Bethune Blvd, 93 Cree Ave and 29 Cliffcrest Dr.
DPAI
Architects
Hamilton, ON / Architectural Designer
Apr 2021 - Jan 2022
• Collaborated with the CEO, project managers, partner firms and users to create and execute floor plans, interior details and spreadsheets of the Junction East Library in Sudbury, Ontario.
• Executed tender drawing sets including floor plans, elevations, renderings and detailed drawings of the One Market Laurier Atrium renovations.
Internships (Pre-Grad)
SvN Architects
Toronto, ON / Student Intern
Gensler
Toronto, ON / Student Intern
Powerhouse Company
Rotterdam, Netherlands / Student Intern
HLW International
New York City, NY / Student Intern
Jan 2019 - Apr 2019
Content
Schematic
Design Design
Development
Abbey Lane
BDP Quadrangle (2023)
Princess Lands
BDP Quadrangle (2023)
Construction
Documents
Princess Lands
BDP Quadrangle (2024)
Bidding/ Tender Contract
Administration
Laurier Atrium
DPAI Architects (2021)
BDP Quadrangle (2024)
Abbey Lane (SD)
Client: AIPL Canada
Project Address: 91 Rylander Blvd, Scarborough, ON
Phase: Schematic Design
The Abbey Lane project, designed by BDP Quadrangle for the client AIPL, is a transformative residential development near Rylander Blvd, Kingston Rd, and Highway 401 in Scarborough. This project introduces five residential towers and three midrise buildings, spanning a large block currently used as the parking lot for a commercial plaza and surrounded by Tideswell Blvd, Rylander Blvd, and Kingston Rd. With over 2,000 units and nearly 170,000 square meters of combined gross floor area, the development seeks to maximize housing while integrating green spaces, including a prominent public park at the gateway of Rylander Blvd.
The design strategically organizes the blocks to support a dynamic urban environment. At the corner of Rylander and Kingston Rd, a landmark Gateway block with two towers at 31 and 34 storeys is positioned as the entry point to the development. Connected by a two-storey podium, it offers mixed-use spaces, including residential units, a grocery store, and offices. Further along, three towers at 30, 28, and 26 storeys create a Billboard presence, with raised retail spaces and billboard displays visible from the highway. This area includes podium amenities, enhancing the resident experience. Toward the northern end, three midrise buildings with street-facing entrances are seamlessly integrated into the neighborhood, connecting directly with the public park to foster a strong community presence as the Fabric block.
My role in this project was to oversee the process from inception through rezoning submission, managing an internal team to produce detailed drawings and statistics. I worked closely with clients and consultants to ensure alignment with the rezoning requirements, using Revit as the primary design tool. This project contributes significantly to Scarborough, delivering muchneeded housing with thoughtfully integrated urban and natural elements.
Street View - Block A
Street View - Block E
Concept Diagram - Site
B - Ground Floor Plan
C - Ground Floor Plan
D - Ground Floor Plan
E - Ground Floor Plan
Block
Block
Block
Block
Princess Lands (DD)
Client: Cortel Group
Project Address: Barnes Ct and Creditstone Rd, Vaughan, ON
Phase: Design Development
The Princess Lands Residential Towers, designed by BDP Quadrangle for Cortel Group, is a high-rise project located at the intersection of Barnes Ct and Creditstone Rd in Vaughan, Ontario. Currently in the design development phase, this project features two identical residential towers connected by a podium that creates a pedestrian boulevard, linking Barnes Ct in the north with Hwy 7 in the south. The podium serves as an essential amenity space, hosting an elevated shared outdoor garden that provides a green retreat exclusively for the residents of both towers.
A standout feature of the design is its precast double facade, defined by a 1.5m by 3m grid system. This unique structure houses a series of balconies between the precast facade and the building envelope, enclosed by a Lumon system that wraps around each floor’s perimeter. The effect is a striking, layered exterior that emphasizes both aesthetic appeal and functional outdoor spaces on every level. The residential floors are designed to offer a variety of unit types, including Studios, 1-Bedrooms, 1-Bedrooms + Den, 2-Bedrooms, 2-Bedrooms + Den, and 3-Bedrooms.
In this project, I co-managed a team of junior and intermediate designers, leading the development of drawings throughout the Design Development (DD) and Construction Documents (CD) phases. My role also involved extensive coordination with both the client and consultants, ensuring seamless collaboration and alignment across all project stages.
In addition to the two initial towers, a third tower is proposed to be built in phases, enhancing the project’s long-term vision. The diagrams below illustrate the precast facade layout within its grid system, highlighting the balconies situated within the double facade. These balconies are enclosed by the Lumon system, which wraps around the perimeter of each floor plate, creating a cohesive architectural expression across all three phases of the development.
ELEVATION TOWER OPTIONS
ELEVATION CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
Elevation Lengths
Long Side = 33m = 22 Cells
Short Side = 24m / 1.5m = 16 Cells
*Notes: Typical tower plate to house 11 units
Both Sides divisible by 1.5 = Common Grid
Standard Floor to Floor Height = 3.0m
Overall Height = Number of Floors
Concept Diagram - The Grid and Double Facade
Precast and in slab ducting
PROs
• Uniform cladding material
• Depth of precast reveal
• Simple, timeless, minimal appearance
• Alternation in precast panel orientation (views; sun)
• Off-site manufacture
• Clear delineation between elements
CONs
• How do we address tonal change? Staining, handrail, texture, soffit
• In slab ducting and coordination with balcony deflection
forward truck. 7.5m (type accessed via directly then elevator, as 150m2, garbage recvclables
1 Type C metres height. metres Standards and stage.
Princess Lands (CD)
Client: Cortel Group
Project Address: Barnes Ct and Creditstone Rd, Vaughan, ON
Phase: Construction Documents
During the building permit phase, the Princess Lands project advanced as the team concentrated on developing comprehensive drawings for submission to the city.
The residential suite detail drawings were carefully coordinated across structural, mechanical, and landscape elements for a cohesive design. The exterior precast grid facade functions as a structural shell for the building, reducing the need for interior shear walls and thereby maximizing usable space within each unit. Mechanical systems, like return air ducts, are precisely routed from the interior units through the structural slab to the exterior, reducing visible ductwork while maximizing efficiency. Built-in planters with integrated seating were positioned along the edges of the outdoor amenity spaces atop the podium, and additional built-in planters on the ground floor are strategically positioned to ensure sufficient clearance for the parking level below, creating a green streetscape that balances aesthetic appeal with functionality.
During this phase, my role was to lead a team of junior and intermediate designers in producing comprehensive drawing sets. These sets included detailed floor plans, elevations, and intricate sections, ensuring that every aspect of the design was accurately represented for construction. I also coordinated closely with clients and consultants to ensure that all design elements were aligned and accurately represented, supporting a smooth transition to the construction phase.
Aerial View - Public Promenade
Street View - Ground Floor Colonnade
Fire Diagram -
Section Details - Metal Panel at Parapet
Section Details - Precast Parapet with Planter at Terrace
Section Details - Window System at Floor Slab By-pass at Louvre
Concrete Block Demising Wall at
Laurier Atrium (Tender)
Client: Wilfred Laurier University
Project Address: 1 Market St, Brantford, ON
Phase: Tender / Bid Documents
DPAI was awarded to carry out upgrades to the atrium interior of the One Market Mall owned by Wilfred Laurier University, who has been a long term client of DPAI. The goal of the project was to intervene the elements of the existing atrium interior, including the floor, stairs, walls, ceilings, and the main elevator. Due to size limitations and the purpose of this portfolio, the following project will only include one of the upgrades (the floor) and a few detailed drawings from the other upgrades.
A continuous linoleum track was implemented on the atrium floor, starting from the main entrance of the mall to the back exit of the building. This track follows a certain geometric path creating points of interests along its way such as, an indoor garden, entrance to retail stores, and a large gathering space with seating at the center of the triple height atrium. At this central gathering point, the track replaces an existing fountain by intertwining with itself to create a hexagonal space where a series of geometric millwork has been proposed which includes seating and desks for the public. Each set of millwork are wheelchair accessible and as well as movable to give the users flexibility to use and shift objects around depending on their ease of use.
I was heavily involved in creating all the tender drawings including the floor plans, interior elevations, modified images, renderings and detailed drawings. I was also involved in managing team members with the project managers and external consultants for materials and installations, such as the paint, linoleum flooring, millwork, accessibility systems, vinyl wrapping, etc.
Points of Interests along the Geometric Linoleum Flooring
2.SITE
DIMENSIONS. SUBMIT A SHOP DRAWING OF THE FLOORING SHOWING THE INTENDED LAYOUT. MOCK UP THE FLOORING LAYOUT WITH TAPE FOR APPROVAL OF THE OWNER AND CONSULTANT.
3.REFER TO SCHEDULES FOR ALL SPECIFICATIONS AND FINISHES.
2. Seating Feature:
Gathering Space / Millwork Detail
The existing fountain at the center of the atrium has been replaced with a gathering space created by the geometric flooring.Wheelchair accessible and flexible millwork including seating and desks will occupy the atrium
Seating Feature:
Accessible Seating Options and Zones Provide Colour
Gathering Space with Desks and Seating
- Remove Existing Fountain to create Sculptural Seating UPGRADES
ONE MARKET REVITALIZATION - ATRIUM UPGRADES September 24,
September 24, 2021
Former Fountain
View of the Atrium
Path of the Geometric Track
Desk and Seating Millwork
2. Seating Feature:
Tactile System (TS-1) Detail Original Scale - 1:20
Linoleum (T-1) Detail Original Scale - 2:1
Oakvillage (CA)
Client: Minto Group
Project Address: 335 Wheat Boom Dr, Oakville, ON
Phase: Contract Administration
The Oakvillage Residential Towers project, currently in the Contract Administration (CA) phase, features two striking residential towers connected by a shared podium. The facade is defined by precast brick panels, which bring a textured and durable quality to the building’s exterior, as shown in the accompanying photos.
In this project, my role was to conduct extensive site visits, ensuring that every detail and connection in the drawings was properly adapted to construction. I was responsible for reviewing and verifying all aspects of connections, details, change orders, and Supplementary Instructions, providing timely feedback to both the office and the client. This thorough approach included over 400 hours of combined site visits and contract administration work, where I worked to maintain the highest standards in translating design intent into the built environment.
