Architecture Portfolio

Ghadeer Mohammad

About

Hey, it’s Ghadeer! I graduated from the College of Architecture, Kuwait University, in 2020. I’m always passionate about architecture since childhood and I am fascinated by the idea that everyone has his own interpretation or definition of architecture. That is what makes architecture so special and unique. Exploring 3d software is always fun for me, and it opens the door for a more creative design process, I always believe that the design process is as crucial as the final product and is where all the magic happens.

Voluntarilly work

Teaching assistance for Paramteric Modeling, Kuwait University, Spring 2022.

Teaching assistance for Design Basics Studio, Kuwait University, Spring 2020.

Teaching assistance for KISR architecture program, Summer 2019.

Work experience

Al-Ahmadiya Company (Septemper-March 2021 6 months) architect intern.

Exhibition designer for SADI program at SADU house, 2023+2021.

Exhibition designer for Makers Movement at SADU house, 2021.

Workshops

Part of Thuluth workshop instructors in collaboration with SOA, Kuwait University, 2023.

Giving an online Vray workshop in collaboration with AIAS, Kuwait University, 2021.

Giving an online Model-Making workshop in collaboration with KASA, Kuwait University, 2021.

Giving an online Rhino workshop in collaboration with KASA, Kuwait University, 2020.

Giviging multiple tutorials for Computer Application class, Kuwait University, 2020-2022.

Exhibitions

Participant in:

Tafaseel Design exhibition in collaboration with AIAS, 2023.

Education

Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)

Kuwait University, 2020

GPA: 3.32

MGPA: 3.41

Skills

Rhinoceros

Grasshopper

Vray

AutoCad

Adobe Al

Adobe Ph

Adobe Id

Exhibition designer for Studio SADI at SADU house, 2021.

Training program

A Trainee in Kuwait Fund training program (9 months) the program includes 3 months courses on soft and hard skills + 6 month internship, 2021.

Honors

Shortlisted in the Secret Garden tree house competition, DesignV, 2018.

Included on the Dean’s List for academic excellence 2017.

KASA annual exhibition with designVI + graduatio n project, 2020.

KASA annual exhibition, 2019+2018.

SADI program exhibition, as part of the assembly team of one of the instillations, 2019.

Collaborations

AlMithaq Real State Company, building a pyhsical model for a chalet, 2022.

Al-Jazeera Airways with designIII project, 2017.

Kuwait Airways with designVI project, 2018.

Tourist Enterprises Company with designV project, 2020.

The Discrepancy

Architectural Graduation Project I & II

This experimental thesis starts with a simple question: How can subtraction in architecture be an addition? The thesis explores different ways of applying formal subtraction in architecture and challenges the typical process of many adaptive reuse projects by introducing a new approach or formal experimentation which can be applied to many buildings. The thesis used the Al-Andalus Complex as the main case study. After a deep formal analysis and experiments, a new process is invented to revitalize the existing complex and formally reinterpret it, allowing for a new mixed-use program.

• Individual work

• Fall 2018 & Spring 2019

• Tutor: Arch. Mishari Ali

• TA; Hala Alessa

Subtration Methodoligies

The thesis starts with investigating the different possibilities of formal subtraction by experimenting with plaster cast models and digital modeling. Each subtraction method has a different formal and experiential character as a space.

Al-Andalus Complex

Al-Andalus Complex is located in Hawally area and was designed by well-known architect Rifaat Chaderji in 1960. The project used to be residential blocks aimed to be a melting pot for different people to live in, but, currently, and after about 60 years, the site is under threat of demolition. It also has a lot of architectural issues, such as the lack of daylight, visual noise, and unwelcoming experience in general.

Ghadeer Mohammad

Push Booleon Language Pull

Plaster models

Existing site - Photo credits: Arch. Razan AlAnbaei

Formal Experiments

Speculative figure-ground analyses were done for the main floor plan of the Al-Andalus Complex. Each experiment gives a re-interpreted reading of the existing project and suggests a different subtraction methodology that can later be applied to the existing buildings.

Ghadeer Mohammad

Method1-Subtracting the walls and pathways

Subtraction application on block D

Subtraction application on block D

Subtraction application on block D

Subtraction + manipulating the language

Subtraction + manipulating the language

Subtraction + manipulating the language

Manipulating the language indepentdly

Manipulating the language indepentdly

Manipulating the language indepentdly

Method3-Subtracting the primary walls

Method2-Subtracting the rooms and walls

The original plan

Program Intervention

Different program interventions are introduced in each block then a several subtraction/addition operations happen in each building which changes its formal composition and allows the buildings to accommodate the new program.

Ghadeer Mohammad

1-Block A (Before).

2- The proposed program which determines the subtraction method.

3- Block A (After). Final proposal Addition Subtraction

Openness and Facade interaction

One of the most exciting features of the existing project is the facade. In the proposal, I wanted to utilize the facade as an element of interaction and let the users experience it from a different vanishing point that is more human scale. That approach consequently allows more daylighting to enter the spaces, dramatically affecting the spacial experience.

Ghadeer Mohammad

Section C-C

Section D-D

Block C

Block D Addition Addition Subtraction Subtraction

Ghadeer Mohammad

Section S-S

Ghadeer Mohammad

Physical sectional model (Block C)

Co-working Space

Architectural Design Studio VI

The main program of this studio was to design a multi-purpose center belonging to Kuwait Airways nearby their headquarters. The program includes public facilities such as retail, restaurants, and cinemas, in addition to an oasis club lounge. The program intervention is a co-working space for freelancers, which is exclusive to the OCM members.

The architecture is a sectional disjunction of programs ( the public facilities and the co-working space with the OCM lounge) that allows having an interstitial space in between, which becomes the main circulation for the car. In addition, it provides many outdoor spaces that could be used by both the public and the OCM members.

• Fall 2018

• In partnership with: Batool Al-Sarraf

• Role: Design, visualization, rendering, diagramming and physical modelling.

• Tutor: Dr.Jawad Al-Tabtabai

• TA: Arch. Adel Al-Bloushi

*OCM: refers to the oasis club membership, which is a membership that comes with several offers such as low-price tickets.

Concept Development

We started with abstract 2D drawings inspired by the work of the De Stijl movement. First, we interpreted the lines with different line weights as planes and then read them as masses instead.

Site Analysis

Lines as masses

Section

Ghadeer Mohammad

Point Of Departure

Architectural Design Studio III

The starting point of this studio was to develop a tectonic system with structural integrity and the ability to stand. We came up with a system where the loads were transferred to a point contact. The system worked due to the interdependency of each module with its inverse counterpart. When we were then introduced to the site and program of the studio, which is designing an Airport terminal for AlJazeera Airways, we found an interesting relationship between our tectonic and that point of contact in departure and touchdown. Therefore we wanted to emphasize and dramatize that sensation in the spatial experience of the airport using a structural language that reflects this critical moment of contact.

• Fall 2016

• In partnership with: Amna AlOtaibi

• Role: Design, visualization, rendering, diagramming and physical modelling.

• Tutor: Dr.Mohammad Al-Jassar

• TA: Shahab Albahar

• TA: Ahmad Aldarweesh

Ghadeer Mohammad

Module Formation Tectonic system

Folding

Concept Inspiration

We wanted to dramatize the flight experience through the structural language and emphasize the overall experience of departure and touchdown. Therefore, we used our tectonic system as the main driver of the design, especially since it speaks the same language formally, spatially, and experientially.

Shell Structute Development

Section A-A

Ground Floor First Floor Second Floor

Section B-B

Physical sectional model

Selected Pavillions

Architecture and Geometry

Following is a series of selected architectural pavilions designed during the Architecture and Geometry class. Each pavilion has a different modeling technique that was discussed during the course. Design problems were assigned for each pavilion, along with several design constraints.

• Individual Work

• Spring 2019

• Tutor: Arch. Adel Al-Bloushi

Freeform

Design problem: Using the golden ratio with simple proportions and arc-based offsets for designing three orthogonal 3D grid systems (matrices). A freeform pavillion should be designed within the 3D matrics and should adhere to all the constraints.

II- Grids combination

V- Adding negative spaces

VIII- Curves lofting Deformations

I- Combining 3 grids

IV- Deformations

VII- 3D Matrics

X- Deformations

III- Trimmimg

VI- Propotional height

IX- Lofted surface

XI- Trimmimg

Freeform

Design problem: Using NURBS modeling tools to create only one freeform figure in 3D space. The pavilion can only touch the ground at a maximum of 4 locations.

I- Starting with multiple curves around 1 axes

II- Creating a network surface

III- Flowing a simple pattern on the surface

The resulted surface

Arches

Design problem: Developing an arch profiles using multiple formal operations. The exterior perimeter of the pavilion needs to be at least 50% perforated with openings.

Type A Type B Type C

Personal Work Muqarnas

Muqarnas project is an independent research that aims to establish a digital archive for the existing muqarnas and allows for a series of experimental speculative projects such as “Muqarnas Assembly 0.0”. Muqarnas is a three-dimensional decorative element used extensively in Islamic architecture. The project consists of several stages, starting with modeling the existing muqarnases digitally using Rhino. Through the Muqarnas project, I wanted to explore the full potential of digital tools and explore how they could be injected creatively into any design process.

• Individual Work

• 2020

Ghadeer Mohammad

• Location; AlHambra palace, Granada, Spain

• Modeled with Rhino

• Rendered with Vray

• Location; Jameh Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

• Modeled with Rhino

• Rendered with Vray

• Location; AlHambra palace, Granada, Spain

• Modeled with Rhino

• Rendered with Vray

Speculative Project

Muqarnas Assembly 0,0

The project questions the assembly process and how different parts could come together to form one whole. I started with simple muqarnas modules. After several experiments, I came up with the first variation and began experimenting with different joinery systems.

Muqarnas modules

The Intricacies

Tafaseel Design Exhibition 2023

This participation focuses on presenting three different muqarnases located at Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain. I represented the muqarnases through digital prints and Resin 3D-printed models.

Ghadeer Mohammad

Hall of Abencerrajes

Resin 3D-printed model

Resin 3D-printed model

Resin 3D-printed model

Photos credits: Rua Alawadhi

Photo credits: Ghaliah Almutawaa Hall of The Two Sisters

Hall of The Kings