Politecnico di Milano, Laurea Magistrale Thesis, 2023
Group Project: Yasmine Sadek, Marwa Elredeni
Location: Paris Saclay, France
Built-Up Area: 51,370 m2
Standing in the middle of the East district, the cultural center plays a pivotal role in attaining equilibrium amidst the existing built structures and nature. Through its initiatives, events, and design choices it showcases sustainable technologies, materials, and approaches covering aspects ranging from ventilation, cooling, and heating to water supply, with a thorough focus on practical details enhancing the project’s longevity, utility, and alignment with the characteristics of the surroundings, inspiring visitors to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors in their daily lives.
In the design process, we drew inspiration from existing patterns in the urban fabrics to create a sense of integrity. To this end, the inclusion of open ground-level structures plays an important role, as they contribute to creating a welcoming atmosphere for students researchers, and locals.
The new project will accommodate up to 3000 people per day, greeted and directed into the public lobby represented by a grand atrium extended from the Prairie. The work involved in this project is complex, requiring the integration of various disciplines like structural and seismic design, sustainable technology, services design for sustainable buildings, and the use of sustainable materials for architecture. This integration aims to create a functional building that seamlessly fits into an innovative district.
Parcel A Parcel B Parcel C Parcel D
MASTERPLAN
THE CULTURAL HUB
Enhancing The User Experience
The trees, the lake, or an attractive pathway can make the space memorable and provide a marker for the seasons. Incorporating artworks also enhances meaning and identity. It’s a practical transformation that makes this city a more welcoming place for all.
THE NEW MODEL
BASEMENT
GROUND FLOOR
FIRST FLOOR
THIRD FLOOR
SECTION B-B
FOUNDATION STRUCTURAL PLAN
TYPICAL STRUCTURAL PLAN
GROUND FLOOR
SECTION C-C
TYPICAL FLOOR PLANS
03 Connex Start-Up Center, Milan
Politecnico di Milano, Academic Project, 2022
Group Project: Yasmine Sadek, Prakalp Tandon, Marwa Elredeny, Mohsen Hajzadeh
Location: Milan, Italy
Starting with the masterplan connex is being designed and built on a flat terrain where it has 3 contact with the street. In our conceptual approach, we wanted to preserve the 2 clustered trees that represent the whole dynamic of the area and create a space balancing between privacy and urbanity providing a double skin façade to improve the indoor environment.
For better accessibility we provided 2 entrances by the clustered trees to emphasis the element of nature. In plan view at the ground floor along with the double height entrance area is one big office at the lower wing of the building as well as the main vertical circulation, on the other hand a commun game room and the service area are located in the upper portin.
Moving to the first floor the whole area is transformed into 2 separate office spaces with a cantilevered portion and an intermediate space connects them along the north façade between the double skin. And also we creted semi open chilling spaces in the big office And finally on the second floor the same layout of the lower wing is maintained however one big public terrace occupies the rest of the plan used for gathering and events. The building is divided into 2 parts depending on the structure material: The first part is the steel structure used to support the cantilever portion in the first floor and the roof floor where we have the accessible terrace. The second part is the concrete portion to sustain the typical office floors.
04 Plastic Crates Pavilion, Milan
Politecnico di Milano, Academic Project, 2021
Individual Project
Location: Piazza Leonardo da Vinci Milano
Conceptually, this pavilion is an exploration of “framing”– framing space, framing views, and framing experience. While all of these sections are based on a consistent alignment, and seating placement, these frames collectively create a space that allows for students to gather and interact with each other. Activated by light and shadow this structure functions both as a sculptural object within the landscape as well as a memorable space to be occupied and enjoyed by the campus community.
PAVILION’S ELEVATIONS
05 Door To The City, Beirut
USEK, Academic Project, 2019
Individual Project
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Door to the city is a project being designed and built on a flat terrain with no difference in height, where it has contact with the street. The project is symbolized as structure whoses purpose is to unite the different regions around it and that are characterized as sectors of diversity. The ‘door’ is a sort of gataway tp these divergent cities. The pedestrian paths leading directly to the front porches of many houses, some of which extend to Ashrafyeh, are the result of the city’s history and expansion. They are an integral part of the urban fabric of Mar Mikhael. The site is located between the refinement of Ashrafyeh and the brutality of Quarantina, between Bourj Hammoud the overcrowded and the minimalist city center. Mar Mikhael is thus naturally doomed to contrasts. In the project, the infiltration of stairs between the functions creates places of passage and meeting giving access to the open public square.
FIRST FLOOR
SECTION B-B
GROUND FLOOR
SECOND FLOOR
SECTION
06 Handmade Models
Building a maquette is very important to me as it allows me to have a tangible tool to understand the complexity and overall construction processes and to finally adjust my methods accordingly and have a more informed and successful approach. In my models, I try to show how much I value sensitivity, attention to details and reason, which I ought to see later on in my career as an architect.
“Whatever good things we build end up building us.” - Jim Rohn
Acknowledgment
My appreciation towards my family abroad, for loving and supporting me throughout all the good and bad times cannot be put into words. Your constant belief in me is what has kept me motivated.
To the architects and colleagues who have played pivotal roles in shaping my professional path, thank you for sharing your knowledge and inspiring me to reach new heights.
To my professors and faculty, I thank you for providing me with exceptional guidance and I also thank you for giving me this chance to expand my horizons and be the person I am today.
To my dear friends, your encouragement and laughter made this journey unforgettable.
