Salim Hilles - Architecture Portfolio
Table of Contents Selected works
Architecture Competitions Four Blox
Home to the Grjรณtagjรก Cave
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Work Experience Research & Development -
Imkan
Expo 2020 Boulevard Roundabout Pavilion Interactive Sustainability
Middle East Architecture Network
Meandering Arcades - Barjeel Art Museum A House of Art
Middle East Architecture Network
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Bachelor of Architecture Hydrate
An Architectural Connection Between Man & Water 10th Design Studio
Animation 360
Animate the In-Animate 8th Design Studio
DC Comics
Darkness Brought to Light 5th Design Studio
Connecting Minds Fabricating an Oasis Digital Fabrication
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Salim Hilles Architect / Designer
䄀爀挀栀椀琀攀挀琀甀爀攀 ☀ 䐀攀猀椀最渀
Education 2010-2012
T.A Blakelock
Highschool Oakville, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2012-2014
Sharjah American International School Highschool Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
2014-2019
American University in Dubai Bachelor of Architecture Dubai, United Arab Emirates
American University in Dubai Universidad Europa De Madrid University of Alicante Madrid, Spain
2017
Course abroad - Multiple School Collaboration
Contact
Experience
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2012-2014
Palestine | Canada
䄀搀漀戀攀
salimhilles@gmail.com
䄀 搀 漀 戀 攀 倀 爀 攀 洀 椀collecting 攀 爀 攀 donations where the money would go into a fund
+971501140200
Volunteering in fundraising events as a sales clerk or to help medicate injured and sick Palestinian children.
2017-2018
Student Library Assistant American University in Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates
www.salimhilles.com 一愀洀攀 簀 匀愀氀椀洀 䠀椀氀氀攀猀
© Salim Hilles 2020
Volunteer
Palestinian Child Relief Fund 䄀 渀 椀 洀 愀Dubai, 琀 攀 United Arab Emirates
Managing the library and assisting staff members & students in finding books and scholarly articles through the database.
Language 䐀愀琀攀 漀昀 䈀椀爀琀栀 簀 㔀琀栀 䐀攀挀攀洀戀攀爀 㤀㤀㘀 English - Native
Aug - 2019 June - 2019
Arabic - Fluent
一愀琀椀漀渀愀氀椀琀礀 簀 倀愀氀攀猀琀椀渀椀愀渀 ⴀ 䌀愀渀愀搀椀愀渀 Software Skills Rhino Revit
䰀愀渀最甀愀最攀 簀
Photoshop
InDesign
3DS Max
Animate
Vray
Lumion
M. Office
Premiere
Middle East Architecture Network Dubai, United Arab Emirates Concept design, 3D building, drawings, diagrams, and rendering for six projects ranging from small to large such as product designing,furniture, pavilions, and a museum.
Oct - 2019 Apr - 2020
Design Researcher Intern - R&D Team Imkan
㈀ Abu 㤀Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Illustrator
Sketch Up
Architectural Intern
Research into company initiatives such as: place-making, the incorporation of food within architecture, material exploration, art strategies, and mixed used typologies. Collaboration with design, science, tech, and financial experts to activate the company’s developments.
Achievements
Capabilities / Skills Conceptualizing
Team-player
Illustrating
Leadership
Sketching
Time management
Middle East Solar 䐀攀猀椀最渀 刀攀猀攀愀爀挀栀攀爀 吀爀愀椀渀攀攀 眀椀琀栀Decathlon 䤀洀欀愀渀 2016
Architecture Competition
2017伀挀琀漀戀攀爀 ㈀ 㤀 Awarded Assistant of the term ㈀㜀琀栀 ⴀ 㘀琀栀 Student 䴀愀爀挀栀 ㈀ ㈀ American University in Dubai
Physical Modeling
Organization
Awarded Student Assistant of⠀䤀渀猀琀愀最爀愀洀⤀ the term 䌀漀渀琀攀渀琀 䌀爀攀愀琀漀爀 眀椀琀栀 䀀琀栀攀猀眀椀猀栀渀攀琀眀漀爀欀
Digital Modeling
Fast learner
Visualizations 䘀甀爀渀椀琀甀爀攀 䐀攀猀椀最渀
Social
匀攀瀀琀攀洀戀攀爀 ㈀ 㤀Featured ⴀ 倀爀攀猀攀渀琀in COMPASSES + Magazine 2018
Research
Problem Solving
䄀爀挀栀椀琀攀挀琀甀爀攀 吀爀愀椀渀攀攀 眀椀琀栀 䴀椀搀搀氀攀 䔀愀猀琀 䄀爀挀栀椀琀攀挀琀甀爀攀 一攀琀眀漀爀欀 2020 BeeBreeders - Iceland Cave Tower
Urban Design
Communication
琀栀 䨀甀渀攀 ㈀ 㤀Results ⴀ 琀栀tbd 䄀甀最甀猀琀 ㈀ 㤀
倀爀漀搀甀挀琀 䐀攀猀椀最渀
2018
American University in Dubai
8th Studio - American University in Dubai
Architecture Competition
Four Blox
Home to the Grjรณtagjรก Cave Program : Visitor Center & Observation Tower Project Type : Competition Result : TBD Site : Grjรณtagjรก Cave, Iceland
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BB AA
1.BLOCK
6. CAVE VOLUME
A volume is place in front of the entrance to the cave to block people from recklessly entering the cave and allowing them to experience the visitor center first.
Access to the cave is allowed only from the lobby and passing through a short tunnel into the cave.
2. VERTICAL VOLUME
7. PARKING
Stairs climb 23m above ground level, making the visitor center viewable from a far away distance.
The existing parking lot + additional space was utilized for up to 32 vehicles to park.
Site Plan
3. CAFE
8. ENTRANCE
The coffee shop is hosted in a horizontal volume high above the ground level, creating a 360 degrees view of the beautiful surrounding landscape.
At the intersection of the pedestrian paths (parking and walking) a subtraction in the visitor center’s volume occurs to create a noticeable entrance.
Architectural Approach Situated as the starting-point to access the beautiful caves of Grjótagjá, four blox uses simple architectural volumes and structural techniques to achieve a sublime yet iconic piece of architecture that can easily be recognized from a distance away as the home to Grjótagjá Cave. Balancing user-experience between architecture and the existing landscape, the design is formulated by using the various programs and arranging them in such a way that harnesses the breathtaking views of the site.
Environmental, Economic, Social The design utilizes simple construction methodologies and even simpler uses of natural materials to reduce significantly the harmful effects during the building process, and furthermore to the overall building’s performance during its lifetime. The use of natural materials also enhances user-experience by bringing them closer to nature and Iceland heritage where the use of stone was the most common building material.
4. PINNACLE
9. ZERO MASS SOLAR ROOF
A deck on the highest point of the visitor centers allows the best views of the volcanic rocks.
Occupied in the roof are series of Zero Mass Solar Panels, capable of both generating power from the sun, and water from humidity.
In 2011, Iceland has set goals for the country to be carbon neutral by the year 2042. Therefore, the design must also follow the goals and guidelines of the country and become a fully selfsufficient building. To achieve this, energy & water are supplied by using new & high-tech renewable energy systems. The mass of the wall and the building material provide a thermal buffer to smooth temperature variations, and together with a cross-ventilation approach, provides satisfactory levels of thermal comfort.
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5. ANCHOR
10. LANDSCAPE
Both horizontal volumes are anchored to the core of the building, supporting the loads of the cantilevered cafe & pinnacle.
A lush green landscape livens the area and promotes biodiversity.
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Legend Observation Deck
2 Waiting Area
Solar Roof Cafe
3 Gallery
Galleries Galleries
Office / Services
1 Lobby
Visitor Center
4 Water-Pump Room 5 Storage 6 Electrical/Server 7 Manager’s Office 8 F.Toilet 9 M.Toilet
Toilet / Changing Rooms Cave Entrance
10 F.Changing Room 11 M. Changing Room 12 Equipment Room 13 Cave Entrance
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Ground Floor Plan
Public Semi-Public Private
Spatial Arrangement The design takes into consideration that the building must serve the nature first so that the user-experience may flow organically with site’s unique conditions. The volumes on the ground level mediates the access into the cave, serving programs such as the lobby, reception, cave entrance, and galleries. Meanwhile the cafe and the observation deck gives the visitors 360 degrees views of the site and its surroundings.
Legend 14 Cafe
1st Floor Plan
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Section AA
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Section BB
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Front Elevation
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Right Elevation
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Steel Cage
Selected Rocks
Support Post Translucent Material
1st Floor - Roof Deck
Concrete Footing Existing Ground
Extremely economic in both the short term and the long term, the use of Gabion walls is both very easy and quick to build with no environmental impact during construction. Additionally, the system requires virtually no maintenance during its life-span since the material used is a product of our nature. Ground Floor
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Axonometric - Architecture
The system adds a unique texture to the architecture’s surface. The penetration of light between the rocks also creates an extraordinary dramatic play in light and shadow, brightness and depth. The Dominus Winery by famous architects Herzog and de Meuron is a great example of the effects this wall-system produces in the interior space.
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IMKAN Properties LLC www.imkan.ae
As a Design Research trainee in a Research & Development department at Imkan Properties, I was able to collaborate in multidisciplinary team of design, science, tech, and financial experts. I was able to gain valuable experience from the projects and initiatives we worked on, such as place-making, the incorporation of food within architecture, material exploration, art strategies within our developments, and experimental mixed-use typologies. In addition to my R&D tasks, I was also provided the opportunity to work with the development teams and gained a better understanding of the client’s perspective and thought process. I was also exposed to both design and financial considerations that goes behind creating vision documents and briefs for development projects. Please view a summary of my works on the following page. Note that i cannot provide documents of my contribution to Imkan due to confidentiality reasons.
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Place-Making
Architecture & Food
Defining, organizing, & codifying all place-making parameters into categories into one individual document.
Research architectural uses, find potential partners, and designate potential uses within company projects & initiatives.
Innovative Material
Mixed-Use
List & study the use of innovative architecture materials that respond to the climate & setting.
Study how architects explore the idea of Mixed-use typologies to create more functional and efficient spaces.
Please note that the photos used are public material shared by IMKAN and not produced by me.
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Middle East Architecture Network www.m-e-a-n.design
During my three-months with MEAN (Middle East Architecture Network), i was responsible for the completion of 5 proposals, including; furniture designs, Interior design, two pavilions and a museum. My role mainly included pre-concept research, concept design, sketching, model making, 3D modeling, visualizations, diagrams, drawings and final productions.
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Expo 2020 Boulevard Roundabout Pavilion Interactive Sustainability
Program : Pavillion Project Type : Proposal for EXPO 2020 Board Site : Expo 2020, Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Team: Salim Hilles, Riyad Jouka, Wael Nasrallah, Rashid Al-Suwaidi, Ahmad Yakout
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Site Plan
Architectural Approach The ‘Expo 2020 Landmark’ proposal combines technology, innovation and sustainability into an iconic structure that serves as a welcoming icon to the event. Drawing inspiration from the story of the Expo 2020 Logo and the palms of the UAE, we designed an interactive installation that symbolizes the ethos of Sustainability and Innovation.
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Section AA
Section BB
Front Elevation
Back Elevation
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Meandering Arcades A House of Art
Program : Museum Project Type : Competition Site : Al-Tarfa, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Team: Salim Hilles, Riyad Jouka, Wael Nasrallah, Rashid Al-Suwaidi, Ahmad Yakout, Amro Mansy
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EuroVelo Cabin
home to the Grjรณtagjรก Cave Program : Cabin Project Type : Competition Site : EuroVelo road, Europe
Architectural Approach Barjeel Art Foundation Museum is an exploration in rethinking the timeless architectural typologies in the region with a contemporary mindset. Drawing on fractal tessellations, the team designed a modular building that provides spaces for meeting, dwelling and enjoying art. Taking notes from the tools of regional space-making with a contemporary design mindset; the building is a seamless integration of exterior to interior. The project utilizes triangular modules of limestone columns that are paired to compose an arcade of arches and stacked at varying heights to indicate various functions of the museum. The massing of the interior programs designed to adhere to the structural grid at the southeast corner of the site, stacking up to screen the gas station.
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Hydrate
An Architectural connection between man and water Program : Water treatment plant, Reservoir, Bath/Spa, & Hotel Project Type : Studio 10 - Senior thesis Site : Hatta, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Site Plan
The United Arab Emirates faces the threat of losing all its sources to fresh and natural water due to global warming. In the recent years all of UAE’s bottled water companies (with the exception of Masafi & Jeema) source their waters through governmental desalination facilities, which according to reports, seems to increase on global warming and is largely uneconomical. Storing natural water by the use of dams has also proved more difficult to sustain due to the harsh weather conditions of the region. In 2011, Abu Dhabi’s Electrical and Water Authority (ADEWA) introduced a new technique into the region in which water is stored through “aquifers”. In this system, water is place either under the earth or in a cave inside a mountain, preventing evaporation or contamination in the air, additionally, the water is naturally cooled by the layers of earth or rock surrounding the water. The proposed design utilizes the storing methodology of ADEWA’s aquifers by merging architecture and nature. The building will realize the natural water of the site and use its unique conditions to gather water, treat it, and reserve it inside the mountain.
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The picture shows the low water levels on a summer day
Topography Analysis The site is categorized as a “Wadi�, which is a string of valleys that form a funnel for a lake to form. Often in Wadi’s,, lakes are dry except for the rainy seasons where water is gathered and rises in level. In summer when evaporation rates are high, most of the water evaporates leaving a small pond. Most rainfall in the UAE occurs in Hatta, therefore, during the winter, rainfall is so abundant that the lake formed through the Wadi is large enough to support tens of thousands of people.
The picture shows the high water levels on a winter day
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1. CUTOUT
4. CURVEOUT
A portion of the mountain will be cut out, creating room for the architecture to merge with the nature
By curving the slab, the water falls down through gravity using a falaj system or aqueduct system, creating a gap between the path of water versus the path of human, until they unite spatially in the central water chamber
2. REACHOUT The volume reaches out as a cantilevered element until it meets the deepest point of the lake so that the maximum capacity of water can be collected.
5. PUSHOUT Integrate architecture with entrance, landscape, and views
3. FLYOUT The volume is supported by structural concrete columns and transparent structural pipes that takes in water from the lake.. 58
6. CROPOUT The play of mass and void to create openings for views and sunlight which interactsgracefully with the mountains 59
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Ground Floor Plan
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1st Floor Plan
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Animation 360 Animate the In-Animate Program : Incubator Project Type : 8th Studio Site : Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Site Plan
Architecture Approach How should a visual communication office feel ? Should it be an enclosed space to allow artists to create with their individual creativity? or should it be an open space to allow communication and transparency. A space which connects both the inside and the outside within its typological standards of the site. Beginning by placing a box, slicing it and separating it. creating a connections between the street side, creek & the metro. Artists have their freedom to work in open spaces or intimate closed ones. The spatial settings are divided based on the attributable hierarchy of the users
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1. SITE
4. CONNECTIONS
Placing an architectural volume along the site’s boundaries.
Integrate an inviting connection from the creek side towards the entrance of the building.
2. CONNECTIONS
5. ELEVATION
Connecting accessible paths between the creek & the street & the metro station
Varying heights maximizes views for the larger volume on the street side.
3. CUTOUT
6. FRAME
Dissect the paths unto the volume, resulting in a series of volumes with walkable paths in between, allowing the architecture to become part of the site.
Slabs & wall frames the architecture sort of like a theater, inspired by the program for an animation studio.
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Facade System A double skin facade allows air flow in the cavity between both layers. The outerlayer Aluminum is perforated letting the passage of light create a dramatic effect of light & shadow. This system reduces the hot sunlight to penetrate into the building, reducing the amount of energy that would’ve needed to be consumed using air-conditioning.
The void acts as a wind tunnel, allowing natural air to flow smoothly.
Curtain Wall Facade Inner Layer
Aluminium Facade - POHL Cotto Perforated - Outer Layer
The Northern facade is fully glazed, to cross ventilate the building
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5th Floor - Admin Offices
1st Floor - Leisure
Core
Core
Toilet
Toilet & Showers
Conference Rooms
Gym & Game Room
Open Working Space
Lounge
Closed Working Space
Mechanical
Roof Garden
Lounge
4th Floor - Experts Offices Core Archives
4th Floor - Experts Offices Core Toilet
Storage Mechanical Ground Level
Meeting Rooms
Open Working Space
Core
Closed Working Space
Lobby
Mechanical
Retail
Services
Garbage
3rd Floor - Intermediate Offices
Storage
Core
Toilets
Toilet
Drop Off
Lounge
Open Working Space
Closed Working Space
Mechanical
1st Basement Parking Core
Services 2nd Floor - Experts Offices Core Toilet
Open Working Space
Closed Working Space
2nd Basement Parking Core Garden
Mechanical
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Basement Floor Plan
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Ground Floor Plan
Typical Floor Plan
Detailed Plan - Typical Floor 79
Section AA
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Section BB
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Retail
Workshop Space
Workshop Space
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Concrete Slab
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Gypsum Board
Steel Ceiling Hanger
33 Small Gravel
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42 Pile Foundation
41 Concrete Footing
40 Waterproofing Mat
39 Concrete Pavement
38 Large Gravel
37 Geotextile Membrane
36 Soil
35 Gypsum Board
34 Insulation
32 Sand
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31 Concrete Pavement 22
30 Pebbles
29 Plaster Board
28 Cement
27 CMU
26 Gypsum Board
25 Steel Support Structure
24 Wood Parquet
23 200mmx50mm Support
22 Cill
21 Thermal Cavity Closer
20 Window Frame
19 Concrete Beam
18 Pot
17 Soil
16 Waterproofing Mat
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13 Cage ( Horizontal Structure )
12 Cage ( Vertical Structure )
11 Joint
10 Steel Plate
Waterproofing Membrane
Protection Course
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Root Barrier
Insulation Moisture Retention Layer
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Filter Fabric
Soil
Plants
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FFL 13075 SSL 13075
3650
9100
2 Hour Fire Rating Shaft 9090 Minute Fire Rated Door Rated Door Minute Fire 2 Hour Fire Rating Shaft
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FFL 2075 SSL 2075
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FFL 150 SSL 150
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FFL -3500 SSL -3500
22Hour Rating Shaft HourFire Fire Rating Shaft 90 Rated Door 90Minute MinuteFire Fire Rated Door
2 2Hour FireFire Rating ShaftShaft Hour Rating 90Minute Minute Rated 90 FireFire Rated DoorDoor
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Basement Floor Basement
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Core - Sectional Detail
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22Hour Rating Shaft HourFire Fire Rating Shaft 90 Rated Door 90Minute MinuteFire Fire Rated Door 2 Hour Fire Rating Shaft
2 Hour Fire Rating Shaft 90 Minute Fire Rated Door
90 Minute Fire Rated Door
Typical Floor Typical
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FFL 150 SSL 150
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90Minute Minute Rated 90 FireFire Rated DoorDoor
Roof Bloor Roof
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Core - Plan Detail
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DC Comics Store Darkness Brought to Light Program : Library + Book Store + Convention Space Project Type : 5th Studio Site : Box Park, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Site Plan
Architecture Approach DC Comics is widely known for being a comic brand whose contents may seem too extreme in a way the interacts their readers deep down to their conscious mind. Hence in order to achieve this design, i linked reality with the fictional universe of DC. Through research, one must realize that there is always a hero and his/her counterpart villain, between them there will be battles which brings forth destruction, through the chaos and tyranny of villains hope engages to the mind of the people, and finally the darkness of characters and story line atmosphere. To achieve that, i looked to design in a way that incorporates the power of light & shadow in architecture to emphasize on the good (light) and the evil (dark). To do that i designed the building in a destructed form to symbolize the effects of a battle between a hero and villain. Hence, a dark, hollow, and destructed, hollow was formed.
Horizontal Destruction 88
Vertical Destruction
Destructive Harmony 89
1st Iteration
2nd Iteration
3rd Iteration
Final Iteration
4th Iteration 90
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IMKAN Properties LLC www.imkan.ae
As a Design Research trainee in a Research & Development department at Imkan Properties, I was able to collaborate in multidisciplinary team of design, science, tech, and financial experts. I was able to gain valuable experience from the projects and initiatives we worked on, such as place-making, the incorporation of food within architecture, material exploration, art strategies within our developments, and experimental mixed-use typologies. In addition to my R&D tasks, I was also provided the opportunity to work with the development teams and gained a better understanding of the client’s perspective and thought process. I was also exposed to both design and financial considerations that goes behind creating vision documents and briefs for development projects. Please note that i cannot provide documents of my contribution to Imkan due to confidentiality reasons.
Section AA
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Section BB
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Front Elevation
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Back Elevation
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Connecting Minds Fabricating a Desert Oasis Program : Seating Project Type : Digital Fabrication Class Site : Expo 2020, Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Top View
Architectural Approach The design was inspired by the Emarati’s of old whose lives were that of traveling from area to area, searching and looking for spots where a community can grow and thrive on. Other than the ocean, the Emarati’s built small communities around an Oasis, a fertile spot in the desert, where water is abundant. The piece acts like its own Oasis in the 21st Century concrete, glass, and steel desert that is Dubai.
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Front Elevation
Right Elevation
Back Elevation
Left Elevation
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The Designer In Me To me, being an architect is not only a career path but an ambition, and it is my goal to become a one of the greatest architects. What has drawn me to the world of design is my innate desire to use design, science, and technology to enhance the lives of people and the environment. Architects have a profound responsibility in the future of cities; going beyond its form, but shaping societies, cultures, and economies. Throughout my bachelors degree and my work-experience, i have always sought using design as a solution to environmental, economical, and social issues. My senior thesis tackles Dubai’s fresh water shortage crises by moving away from traditional structures such as dams, which often fail in this region due to evaporation and toxicity in the air. Instead, I proposed to use a technique called aquifer storage and recovery, which effectively stores fresh water underground where it is invulnerable to evaporation and air toxins. The proposed site, Hatta Lake, Dubai was especially essential due to the nature of the water cycles. In winter, heavy rainfall forms a lake between the valley, and in summer, hot weather conditions causes all the water to evaporate. Therefore, the architecture includes water pumps to gather the water, artificial lakes to transport it, treatment facilities to clean it, and to finally reserve it inside the mountain. Additional programs include, leisure spaces, thermal spa, and accommodation units for visitors. In my short-term at Middle East Architecture Network, our team delivered five projects overall, all of which include various program typologies such as product design,interior design, pavilion design, and finally, a museum design. With IMKAN Abu Dhabi, I was able to attain insight on working from the client’s side, which has given me an understanding their needs and expectations from architects. It has also given me the opportunity to collaborate with experts accross various fields. In addition to my education and work experience, travel has also been crucial to my overall knowledge of architecture and city design. I have visited many cities and countries all over Europe and the United States. Living in both the United Arab Emirates and Canada is also another factor that really enhanced my perspective of how design can be influenced in different cultures climate and geographies. I’ve learned a lot about the field of architecture and design, and I hope to continue learning in my life-long journey of becoming a great architect. I believe constant experimentation and innovation is vital to bring forth necessary change. I believe collaborations with men and women of various fields to find and solve problems. I believe learning and using what the past has left behind as a lesson for the present and for the future.