Portfolio Architecture & Design Research by Carla Saad

Portfolio Carla Saad

Architecture & Design

Y10

Byblos Townhall

Mansourieh

Architecture

Interior Design

Professional Hashim Sarkis Studios

Independent Project

Nasma Design Reseach Professional Najjar-Najjar Architects

8Twist

Immigrants’ Center

Amshit Bay

Nikki Beach

Architecture

Design Research

Professional Associacio de Veins i Veines

Professional SOMA Architects

Harvard GSD Deployable Surfaces

7.5

8.7

Y10- MASTER PLAN ALL THE DRAWING PRODUCTION AND STUDIES FOR THE PROJECT | CARLA SAAD DESIGN | PROJECT TEAM

Y10 RESIDENCES, YARZE ,LEBANON | under construction Project team | Hashim Sarkis, Wissam Chaaya, Carla Saad, Boulos Doueihy, Sandra Frem, Rola Idriss

TASKS: -Preparing the Construction Documentation set (CD) for the project execution -Coordinating the technical aspects of the project with the civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers. -Designing the rooftop -Monitoring the preparation of the bill of quantity (BOQ) relevant to two lots of the project. -Mediating the spatial modifications between the site architect and the contactor.

Y10 RESIDENCES ,YARZE, LEBANON [As published on Hashim Sarkis Studios’ website] www.hashimsarkis.com

YARZE 1532 SECTION D1

“Located on one of the dramatic slopes of the Yarzeh Hills, the project enhances the special attributes of the terrain and view and brings them into every unit. The ten buildings are placed on the slope in such a way as to preserve the natural topography of the Yarzeh hills while providing each apartment with a ground level terrace or roof deck. The buildings also maximize on the panoramic view to the north/north-west though a floor to ceiling window system that opens to the view of Beirut and the surrounding hillscape. The spaces between the buildings and around them are planted with trees that are typical of the region so that the project blends with the surrounding. Architecturally, the buildings attempt to blend with the landscape by integrating greenery on the roof and in the space between the outer glass screen in front of the balconies and the inner façade. The side elevations have the color of the earth and the terraces of the units are all integrated into the surrounding landscape. The front glass façade is suspended in front of the building giving it a very light effect. This façade also create a common green area behind it and it provides a unified system for the balcony glazing. The lobbies of the lower buildings are carved into the natural rocks creating a deep grotto effect that leads to a strongly contrasting and well lit glass elevator lobby. The lobbies of the upper buildings are in contrast open to the view.”

YARZE 1532- GROUND FLOOR

YARZE 1532- SECTION C1

YARZE 1532- WALL SECTION

RENDERINGS PREPARED BY HSS VISUALIZER

YARZE 1532- ROOF PLAN

ENTRANCE VIEW

LIVING ROOM VIEW

ROOFTOP VIEW

BYBLOS TOWN COMPETITION, BYBLOS, LEBANON [As published on Hashim Sarkis Studios’ website] http://www.hashimsarkis.com/projects/5

SITE PLAN DRAWING PRODUCTION | BOULOS DOUEIHY DESIGN | PROJECT TEAM

“Hashim Sarkis was awarded the commission of the new Byblos Town Hall after an anonymous open competition. Byblos, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and a World Heritage Site, has been growing outside the historic city bounds to the point where most of the city’s population now lives in the city’s suburbs. Boasting a historic harbor, two crusader castles, several historic churches and mosques in addition to an extensive Phoenician, Hellenistic and Roman heritage, the city is the most visited tourist site in Lebanon. In an effort to recenter the city, the new town hall site was chosen at the interchange of the north south highway that separates the city from its eastern suburbs, in a public park and near a tourist information area. The building is broken down into three large blocks that span over the park, each housing a different component of the program, the gaps between them bringing light into the park and the buildings. The park as well as the ground floor of the complex are maintained open to the public. The three blocks are carried by the circulation cores to the east and a long wall to the west that acts as a noise barrier with the highway. To protect from noise and heat, the blocks are closed to the outside and clad with sandstone, the “official stone” of the city. The offices are open to the spaces between the blocks with the facades clad in aluminum louvers that turn horizontally to become pergolas over the park that weave between the blocks. ” [...] “Each of the three volumes contains a component of the program, namely offices for three entities sharing the building: the municipal departments, the municipal council offices, and an interactive museum for the alphabet that also provides a multipurpose hall for the town. The volumes are at once separated from each other and connected at the ground level. The glass enclosed ground floor level combines the common spaces of the program: entrances, information, city cashier, cafeteria and exhibition space.”[...]

TRANSVERSE SECTION DRAWING PRODUCTION | BOULOS DOUEIHY, CARLA SAAD DESIGN | PROJECT TEAM

My Tasks: I Participated in the design of the Byblos townhall during the competition phase and produced the corresponding plans and sections Project Team: Hashim Sarkis, Sandra Frem (project coordinator), Boulos Douaihy, Wissam Chaaya, Pablo Roquero, Rola Idris, Carla Saad, Cynthia Gunadi, Penn Ruderman, Christopher Johnson, Jonathan Scelsa, Lauren Matrka, Sama El-Saket, Nayla al-Akl (landscape). Structural Engineer: Isopack Electro-Mechanical Engineers: Isopack Contractor: Roger Estephan, Jack Chahla (site engineer) Client: Municipality of Byblos, Jbeil WEST ELEVATION DRAWING PRODUCTION | BOULOS DOUEIHY, CARLA SAAD DESIGN | PROJECT TEAM

NORTH ELEVATION DRAWING PRODUCTION | BOULOS DOUEIHY, CARLA SAAD DESIGN | PROJECT TEAM

BASEMENT PLAN

GROUND FLOOR

EAST ELEVATION DRAWING PRODUCTION | BOULOS DOUEIHY, CARLA SAAD DESIGN | PROJECT TEAM

PICTURES OF THE EXECUTED BYBLOS TOWNHALL- PHOTO COURTESY | WISSAM CHAAYA

FIRST FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR

MANSOURIEH APARTMENT, MANSOURIEH, LEBANON False ceiling design & photo courtesy | Carla Saad False ceiling execution | Tarek Mohtar

The owners of the apartment required a light design for the ceiling of their living room without any pendents.My design proposal is based on the indirect lighting where square islands float within the space to provide a playful movement and to create a flow of light in a theatrical atmosphere. The air conditioning ducts and electrical wires are kept invisible with the gypsum cornice wrapping around the space.

MANSOURIEH APARTMENT, MANSOURIEH, LEBANON False ceiling design & photo courtesy | Carla Saad False ceiling execution| Tarek Mohtar

MANSOURIEH APARTMENT, MANSOURIEH, LEBANON Kitchen Design & Photo courtesy | Carla Saad Kitchen Execution | Cuisine D’Art (wood work), Smayra (Ceramic Countertop)

NASMA SCHOOL , BEKAA,LEBANON Project team | Karim Najjar, Carla Saad, Ahmad Nour Aldeen. Climate studies | Transsolar Klima Engineering

TASKS -Conducted design studies on a generic passive climate responsive structure to be used for refugees’ schools -Coordinated structural modifications with Transsolar KlimaEngineering, responsible for the climate consultancy - Researched building sandbags techniques and the introduction of ecobeams within the design for a stable structure -Drafted the execution drawings

MASTER PLAN RENDERING | CARLA SAAD DESIGN | PROJECT TEAM

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES BY TRANSSOLAR KLIMA ENGINEERING

NASMA-LOW COST CLIMATE RESPONSIVE SCHOOL Nasma school concept was set facing the flood of Syrian refugees towards the Lebanese territories after the start of the Syrian civil war. The quality of constructions where the refugees’ children are attending classes being poorly planned, a research was launched by Najjar-Najjar Architects in the aim of designing a low-cost climate responsive structure. The prototype was designed as a temporary structure responding to the legal limitations enforced by the government and defining a refugees’ shelter as a non-permanent structure. The design research led to the application of sandbag construction technique which provides a high thermal insulation facing the extreme weather condtions of the Bekaa valley; one of the closest refugees’ hubs to the borders. Further climate recommendations were given by Transsolar Klima-Engineering in order to enhance the infiltration of natural light and cross ventilation within the structure. I collaborated with Najjar-Najjar Architects on coordinating and applying the design changes while producing the construction set for the first prototype which was built and tested against the weather conditions. The extracted data helped in understanding more the application of such a technique and enhacing the design for future itirations. POSSIBLE MASTER PLAN LAYOUT DRAWING STUDY | CARLA SAAD DESIGN | PROJECT TEAM ROOF PLAN DRAWING STUDY | CARLA SAAD DESIGN | PROJECT TEAM

PICTURES OF THE PROTOTYPE EXECUTION-PHOTO COURTESY | NAJJAR-NAJJAR ARCHITECTS

GROUND FLOOR DRAWING STUDY | CARLA SAAD DESIGN | PROJECT TEAM

PICTURES OF THE PROTOTYPE EXECUTION-PHOTO COURTESY | NAJJAR-NAJJAR ARCHITECTS

SECTION 1 DRAWING STUDY | CARLA SAAD DESIGN | PROJECT TEAM

SECTION 2 DRAWING STUDY | CARLA SAAD DESIGN | PROJECT TEAM

PICTURES OF THE PROTOTYPE EXECUTION-PHOTO COURTESY | NAJJAR-NAJJAR ARCHITECTS

ELEVATION DRAWING STUDY | CARLA SAAD DESIGN | PROJECT TEAM

IMMIGRANTS’ STUDIO, VALENCIA,SPAIN Project team: Architectural design & documentation | Carla Saad Structural design | Jaume Cort Aznarez Workshop instructor | Jose Luis Triguero Lucas

TASKS - Designed a low cost multipurpose space for immigrants and underprivileged youth - Supervised the execution of the design with the main instructor - Documented the construction with videos and pictures

DESIGN, SITE PICTURE & RENDERING OF THE DESIGN | CARLA SAAD

EXISTING PLAN- DRAWING & SURVEYING | CARLA SAAD

IMMIGRANTS’ STUDIO, VALENCIA, SPAIN (in collaboration with the architect Jaume Cortez) Natzaret being a socially neglected neighborhood in Valencia, the “associació de Veins î Veines” runs a school offering technical courses to help integrate the immigrants and underpriviliged Spanish Youth within the work field. The design of the studio implements innovative ideas while using low cost materials and simple construction techniques since the builders are mainly learning through the application of the plans. The north façade is divided in four parts between solid CMU blocks and translucid glass blocksto faciliate the infiltration of daylight and cross ventilation. The CMU blocks protrude to the outer side of the facade allowing plantation; and to the inner side to allow small storage spaces for materials and hardware used in the workshops given in the studios.

LOCATION PLAN GOOGLE EARTH PHOTO MANIPULATION | CARLA SAAD

NORTH FAÇADE DESIGN & DRAWING | CARLA SAAD STRUCTURAL STUDY | JAUME CORT AZNAREZ NORTH FAÇADE DETAIL DESIGN & DRAWING | CARLA SAAD STRUCTURAL STUDY | JAUME CORT AZNAREZ

SECTION A DESIGN & DRAWING | CARLA SAAD STRUCTURAL STUDY | JAUME CORT AZNAREZ

DOCUMENTATION OF THE EXECUTION ON SITE | CARLA SAAD

SECTION B DESIGN & DRAWING | CARLA SAAD STRUCTURAL STUDY | JAUME CORT AZNAREZ

FLOOR PLAN DESIGN & DRAWING | CARLA SAAD STRUCTURAL STUDY | JAUME CORT AZNAREZ

NIKKI BEACH, DAMOUR, LEBANON | year 2012

Project team: Principal | Michel Abboud Key Staff | Wissam Salemeh, Kamil Czarnecki, Adel Dagher, Therese Makhlouf, Carla Saad, Marwan Saliba, Fady Stephan, Steven Townsend, Derek Binsted

TASKS -Developed the Master plan including forty villas and a hotel ( Gross Floor area: 7100sqm - Residences: 5050 sqm) -Design and planning of the hotel -Coordinated the architecture with the civil, mechanical and electrical engineers requirements

HOTEL FIRST FLOOR PLAN

NIKKI BEACH, DAMOUR, LEBANON [from SOMA’s website] Responding to strong and specific data, our proposal takes into consideration the cultural heritage in which it is set. Situated at terminus of the Damour River, the site is a gently sloping terrain with stupendous views of the Mediterranean. Our proposal utilizes a branching system found in natural formations. It was the natural solution to gently break down the site’s slope into a series of volumes perfectly oriented to the sea views. Each branch allows direct street access, and soon individual volumes start to emerge following a strategy of siting, form and placement in relation to external context, program requirements, and maximized privacy. What started as a two dimensional system evolves into a matrix that guides the design process on all scales. The result is elements that are individually carved and crafted to maximize views, daylight and ventilation. The multiple combinations and variations of three basic volumes results in equally unique residences. Yet the association of these disparate elements and their combinations maintains a unified ensemble to the whole development.

HOTEL ROOM : TYPE A

HOTEL ROOM : TYPE B

HOTEL RENDERINGS PREPARED BY SOMA’S VISUALIZERS

HOTEL ROOM : TYPE C

AERIAL VIEW FROM THE SEA

HOTEL ROOM: VILLA TYPE

HOTEL VIEW

VILLA RENDERING PREPARED BY SOMA’S VISUALIZERS

VILLA TYPE A

VILLA RENDERING PREPARED BY SOMA’S VISUALIZERS

VILLA TYPE B

INTERIOR RENDERING OF A VILLA UNIT PREPARED BY SOMA’S VISUALIZERS

VILLA TYPE C

MASTER PLAN - DRAWING & LANDSCAPE STUDIES| CARLA SAAD ; DESIGN| PROJECT TEAM

AMCHIT BAY RESORT, AMCHIT, LEBANON

Project team: Principal | Michel Abboud Partner | Leo Sguera Lead Designers | Fady Stephan, Steven Townsend Key Staff | Wissam Salemeh, Kamil Czarnecki, Therese Makhlouf, Aline Raad, Carla Saad, David Tao, Clothilde Levesque, Fadi Castronovo, Marwan Saliba, Mira Naji, Sam Nassar TASKS -Organized the vehicular and pedestrian circulation around the site -Developed the Master plan design

AMCHIT BAY RESORT,AMCHIT, LEBANON (As published on SOMA’s website)

SITE SECTION 1- DRAWING | CARLA SAAD ; DESIGN| PROJECT TEAM

“Our proposal for the Amchit Bay Resort takes into account not only the site, with a gently sloping terrain and direct views of the Mediterranean, but also the regional and cultural heritage of the location. In order to break down the sloping site and create unique opportunities for views, the proposal utilizes a terracing system not unlike those used for farming in rugged terrain for hundreds of years. The process began with the implementation of two terraces, from which the volumes of the units were eroded on these two levels. By staggering each volume, we were able to provide not only unobstructed views for each and every unit, but also large private gardens on multiple levels. Additionally, the utilization of these two terraces allowed for direct parking access via a covered drive between the two terraces, while at the same time providing direct pedestrian access to the beach and garden levels. Each volume is then wrapped in a metallic skin, which through mechanical operations of opening and rotating gives inhabitants independent control and customization of privacy.” (www.soma.us) My tasks on this projects were designing the circulation around the master plan and to prepare the internal layout of some units. MASTER PLAN LEVEL-1ASSEMBLING THE MASTER PLAN & LANDSCAPE STUDY|CARLA SAAD DESIGN| PROJECT TEAM

RENDERINGS PREPARED BY SOMA’S VISUALIZERS

MASTER PLAN LEVEL0 ASSEMBLING THE MASTER PLAN & LANDSCAPE STUDY|CARLA SAAD PDESTRIAN & VEHICULAR CIRCULATION STUDY|WISSAM SALAMEH, CARLA SAAD DESIGN| PROJECT TEAM

MASTER PLAN LEVEL GF ASSEMBLING THE MASTER PLAN & LANDSCAPE STUDY|CARLA SAAD PDESTRIAN & VEHICULAR CIRCULATION STUDY|WISSAM SALAMEH, CARLA SAAD DESIGN| PROJECT TEAM

8TWIST

Deployable Surfaces:Dynamic Performance Through Multimaterial Architectures Team: Anne Stack | Master in Architecture Carla Saad | Master in Design Engineering Eliza Pertigkiozoglou | Master in Design Studies - Technology Kevin Chong | Master in Architecture The 8Twist is a structural, inflatable, and modular system inspired by the origami Kreisling pattern. It is designed to be compact and expandable while being efficiently and easily deployable. The project initiated with an intense study and adaptation of the Kreisling pattern where a developed fascination in its bistability led the team’s investigation. Through prototyping and mo del making, the design achieved a continuous arch, which can be flat packed and then unpacked unit by unit with a satisfying twist and lock. The singular behavior of each unit in addition to their kinetic interaction stimulated the idea of a modular design that could be expanded and amalgamated depending on need, scale, and limitations. We combined the geometric stability of our unit to the use of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which can be sealed and inflated thus provoking the actuation while providing a higher level of structural stability during the deployment. The application of this kinetic geometry can go accross disciplines from furniture design to supporting stucture My Tasks: -Collaboration in designing and solving the arching structure in kinetics -Building small scale prototypes and fabrication of 1/1 installation -Documentation of the prototypes.

DEPLOYABLE MODULE | GEOMETRICAL FORMATION

Fabrication Techniques used: Physical Prototyping | Laser cutter, AXYZ routing machine, Zünd Swiss Cutting Systems Digital Protoyping | Rhinoceros, Grasshopper, V-ray

DEPLOYABLE MODULE | STUDY MODEL

DEPLOYABLE MODULE | UNWRAPPED

8 TWIST INSTALLATION

INSTALLATION DESIGN: TRIPOD

MODULE FLEXIBILE CONFIGURATION

CONNECTION BETWEEN TWO LEGS | INTERIOR PHOTO

CONNECTION BETWEEN TWO LEGS | JOINT DESIGN

MODULE POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS

SITE PICTURES & PHOTO PROCESSING | CARLA SAAD

UNDER OBSERVATION: GEOMETRY OF SPACE Thesis design research & project | Carla Saad Design, drawings,models, diagrams, pictures | Carla Saad

UNDER OBSERVATION: GEOMETRY OF SPACE The project is located on a site known for its historical symbolism as the intersection between Muslim and Christian communities during the Lebanese civil war. Therefore, the structure acts as a community space for arts helping both communities heal the wounds of the war by art therapy . The main formal strategy that the project follows within its geometrical composition revolves around rotating platforms. The shift of two parallel platforms creates two kinds of open spaces: one completely public and another to be used for the functioning of the complex. The rotation of these platforms on site follows the different elements of the surrounding. For the Chiah side: the ground floor is mainly directed towards the facing garden. The second platform is directed towards the facing street. The third platform is directed towards the facing building emphasizing the observation between the two structures. Finally the last platform consists of the bridge which is a common element between both sides. For the Ghobeireh side the ground floor is directed towards Old Saida Road. The second platform is directed towards the nearby building while the third platform is directed towards the building located at the other side. External steps constitutes the architectural skin which is used as vertical circulation while creating a public space thus transforming the skin into a hidden barrier. The internal activities are reflected outside through the extension of the platforms creating a series of pavilions that people can explore. Moreover, the shift of the platforms make spaces read as one entity to stage internal activities that can be seen to the outside via the transparent skin under the bridge. From another perspective, the open spaces created on the periphery of the structure communicate visually with the neighborhood. WINTER

Chiah and Ghobeyreh Municipalities meeting at Old Saida Road

Nasrallah Street-Ghobeireh Camille Shamoun Street- Chiah Old Saida Road THE GROUND FLOOR

THE URBAN STRATEGY Intervention as bridge between the two sides

SUMMER

9:00 AM

12:00 PM SITE PLAN

3:00 PM

CHIAH SIDE ELEVATION

THE FIRST FLOOR

DIAGRAM OF ACTIVITIES ON ON THE STAIRS

SOUTH ELEVATION

THE SECOND FLOOR

THE THIRD FLOOR

SECTION 1