KARIM A. SINJER ARCHITECTURAL
PORTFOLIO
KARIM A. SINJER RIBA PART I ARCHITECTURE STUDIO GRADUATE AND DESIGNER 2018 PORTFOLIO Th e f o l l o w i n g p o r t f o l i o c o n t a i n s w o r k from my RIBA part I BA Architecture degree over the last three years period at the Faculty of Architecture and Built Environment at Beirut Arab University from 2015 - 2018. Th e w o r k i n t h i s p o r t f o l i o h a s b e e n edited to provide an abridged volume, however original PDF files and complete project work are available upon request should you wish to view more.
CV
KARIM SINJER
ARCHITECT // DESIGNER // ENGINEER
Beirut, Lebanon +961 3 490 157 karim.sinjer@hotmail.com 25 OCT. 1994 Portfolio// https://goo.gl/KHsBhB
BIOGRAPHY
Having attained my Bachelors of Architecture - Design and Built Environment. I am eager to continue my journey in Architectural Design and Execution. I have worked for several well respected Architectural consultancy firms and offices, gaining different aspects and visions on problem solving in the real world especially when it comes to execution and implementation of difficult tasks. I am highly skilled in REVIT software and BIM management in general, a skill that I have acquired working closely with certified Revit experts. My philosophy in Life revolves around building a better world for our children through sustainability, in hopes that my journey will be beneficial not only for myself but also to the community.
We design not for ourselves, but for future generations.
EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION B . A RCH I N A R C H I T E C T U R A L E N G I N E E R I N G
AR C H IT E CT LACECO | Jul 17 -present
(Royal Institute of British Architects Part I)
Conceptual and Schematic Design of mixed use 33 building complex (Al-Mamsha) in Sharja, Emirates. Developed the designs of restaurants and retail facades, as well as over 200 different types of residential apartments using BIM software
RIBA Accreditation Part One Graduated Dec. 2017 w/ Cumulitive GPA 2.82 Senior Grade // B w/ Honorable Mention
BEIRUT ARAB UNIVERSITY | 2012-2017
IELTS GENERAL ENGLISH TRAINING AR C H IT E CT U R A L I NT E RN
IDP | May 2017 | Score 7.5
BEIRUT LIFE ARCHITECTS | Jul 16 - Aug 16
ICDL
Designer and Site Engineer - Aided in design of residential and commercial tower (17 floors) including a two story mall within the compound. Supervised in execution of landscape and site excavation
MAKHZOUMI | 2014
(INT ERNATIONAL COMPUTER DRIVING LICENSE)
BA CCA LAUREATE I N L I FE SCI ENCES EUROPEAN LEBANESE SCHOOL | 2012
ACHIEVEMENTS
AR C H IT E CT U R A L I NT E RN PREMIUM PROJECTS | Jun 15 - Aug 15
C E R T I F I C AT E O F CO M P L E T I O N
Quantity Surveying and Inspection - Calculated Internal finishes and collection and costing of the suppliers and subcontractors agreements and contracts, as well as quantity surveying from the shop drawings and design drawings
EPHEMERA - WORKSHOP | JUN 15 Rebuilt Site Specific Post-war Narratives by Anna Serrano Used light installations and panels to achieve a sense of unity
TECHNICAL SKILLS AUTODESK REVIT
AUTOCAD
LANGUAGES ENGLISH ARABIC FRENCH SPANISH
ADOBE SUITE
LUMION
INTERESTS
ARCHICAD
3DS MAX
SKETCHUP
RHINO
GRASSHOPPER
REFERENCES MR. AMIN DOUBIESSI | Senior Architect @ LACECO +9 6 1 3 101 33 9 | ami n dou bi e ssi @ l ac e c o. c om DR. HIBA MOHSEN | Resident Doctor @ BAU
+ 9 6 1 1 3 00 110 | www.bau .c om .lb
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01 MUSIC HUB
01
02 WATERGATE HOTEL
13
03 CULTURE & TOURISM CENTER
21
04 GOOGLE HEADQUARTERS
29
05 EXECUTION DRAWINGS
33
A UD IO- S OCIAL E XP E RIE N CE
B E IRUT N ORTH G ATE D E VE LOP M ENT
DUALITY OF OP P OS ITE S
U N E S CO OFFICE BUILD ING
U N E S CO OFFICE BUILD ING
01 MUSIC HUB
AUDIO-SOCIAL EXPERIENCE
SENIOR PROJECT // FINAL SEMESTER PROJECT TYPE LOCATION DATE
STUDIO MUSIC PRODUCTION SAIFI, BEIRUT, LEBANON DEC. 2017
A space that incubates all types of music creation and mastering, the music hub facilitates the journey a musician takes to share his/her music through High-Tec production studios, and a program designed to connect the production of music with social spaces where creators and listeners can interact together, providing sort of a live feedback mechanism to the musician. This social connection with the users of the building breaks down the barriers between the musician and the audience, which creates more opportunities for the musician to deliver his music to a wider fan base and not be dependent on the production companies that only care about proďŹ t and sales records, on the contrary, the musician will be able to have a direct connection with the audience through various social bubbles.
02
SAIFI // BEIRUT
04
SITE ANALYSIS ROAD NETWORK
BUILDINGS
SOLID / VOID RELATION
The lot and location of the site is crucial for the pattern of circulation the user experiences between public and private spaces. The lot resides on the banks of the boundaries that separates Lebanon’s famous martyr square, which resembles the beginning of the public sector, where the city center is located, although it’s not a very hospitable place since it’s dominated by the governmental palace. The other side of the border houses one of the most alive and artistic programs in the Middle East, with a very flamboyant nightlife, and even more exclusive art scene, Saifi village and the surrounding areas of Mar Mikhael and Gemmayze produce an outburst of creative artists and designers. These two elements transform the chosen site into a meeting place between the public sector, one that deals with all the business side of the production phase, and the private sector that brings musicians and artists from all backgrounds into the spotlight through the project.
SURROUNDINGS
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY The Design philosophy revolves around the concept of grading the senses that an individual experiences and prioritizing them depending on the intensity of the feeling and the level on intimacy it provides. Seeing a space lets us experience its physical qualities, giving us a shallow sense of belonging, while hearing and feeling a space provides us with a more intimate relation with our surroundings. Thus the idea of transporting through different levels of intimacy became the starting gun of the project. The production and creation of music is placed on the surrounding edges of the building, with enough insulation on the outside to provide a high level of privacy and concentration, and as you move from the outer edges of the building towards the atrium, small boxes pop out the edge to host small gathering and groups were people can sit, relax, and discuss their latest endeavors. These boxes act as social bubbles that oat above and through the space to give a sense of relief from the enclosed outer edges which may be called concentration barriers. Through this varying level of intimacy throughout the project, the artist will experience a pleasant time while being able to focus on the production of the music.
SEE // HEAR // FEEL SEE // HEAR SEE
SUSHI SECTION
PERSONAL
SOCIAL
Intimacy
06
SOCIAL
PUBLIC
Intimacy
INCORPORATION
MODERN
TRADITIONAL
DESIGN BRIEF
The main focus of this project is to integrate the commercial aspect of music and performance into a holistic entity through the built form of architecture. The spaces researched for this type of building usually require the incorporation of such spaces as well as the use of many spaces unique to the design.
ARENA STAGE The Arena Stage was chosen as a starting guideline for the showcase Arena present in the Project. This type of stage was chosen because of its shape that engulfs the stage with the audience and minimizes the barriers between the musician and the listener. This method empowers the relationship and puts more focus on the performer and the music produced. For jazz/pop/rock (formal setting) the audience/ performance formats include: Proscenium Stage, Thrust Stage, Arena, and Traverse.
08
DESIGN STRATEGY START
NL
IGH
T
UL
C CIR
EMPTY LOT
II
ADDING MASSES
III
MOLDED TO MUSIC
VI
DEFINING CIRCULATION PATTERNS
IV
SUBTRACTING VOIDS
V
ENCLOSING CORNERS
CONTROL
I
N
IO AT
VIII
GREEN SPACES
VII
ADDING WOODEN PLANKS
CONTROL
SU
M
AT E
RI
AL
PA L
ET
TE
END
The material palette consists of four essential wood patterns that studies showed are best for acoustic quality. Each material has its own property and setting that allows it to reflect sound waves at the optimum level according to the instrument being played. For example the perforated material is best used as a reflector for strings instruments. Black and white colors have been used as the base coat of the main mass that holds everything together, as well as the four anchors on the corners, this provides contrast between the elements and highlights the light wood used on the northern facade of the project were the studios are placed
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
FUTURE EXTENSION
TO WA R
DS
ERV
ICE
EN TRA
NC E
E NC
TRA
EN
PE
D AR W TO
S DE N IA TR
D AR W TO
IFI
CE AN TR EN
SA
A IN AR
M
WA TO
E NC
RA NT
E RD
RECORDING VERTICAL CIRCULATION
RECORDING ORGANIZATION PUBLIC SPACE
PARKING
AUDITORIUM SERVICES
MANAGERIAL
SERVICES
PUBLIC SPACE
PUBLIC SPACE
MANAGERIAL
MANAGERIAL
AUDITORIUM
CONCENTRATION
RECORDING
COMMUNCATION
CONCENTRATION
INNOVATION LAB
COMMUNCATION
VERTICAL CIRCULATION
AUDITORIUM SERVICES
PARKING
BASS
PERCUSSION
STRINGS
STRUCTURAL FACADE
The structure system used on the exterior shell of the building is molded and driven mainly by the intensity of the frequency that each instrument emits, and the instruments are based upon the category of the music being played inside the respective space. E.g. Strings [Cello frequency: 150Hz]
PARKING
10 1ST FLOOR PLAN
2ND FLOOR PLAN
3RD FLOOR PLAN
4TH FLOOR PLAN
5TH FLOOR PLAN
6TH FLOOR PLAN
BASEMENT 1 PLAN
BASEMENT 2 PLAN
ATRIUM TERRACES ATRIUM SOCIAL CLUSTERS
AUDITORIUM SECTION
ATRIUM SECTION
12 PERFORMANCE STAGE
LOUNGE
PERFORMER
SEATING
HIGH PROFILE
AUDITORIUM HEXAGONAL STAGE
VIEWING BALCONIES
ASSEMBLY HALL
The performance stage is one of a kind laid out space that brings attention to the artist and especially to the music being played. It was inspired by the format of the arena stage were the audience surrounds the performer increasing both the visual and the aural experience. The wooden materials used brings warmth to the large space so that the user doesn’t feel overwhelmed and at the same time it acts as a natural acoustic reflector that sharpens the sound and improves its quality .
02 WATERGATE HOTEL
BEIRUT NORTH GATE DEVELOPMENT
5 TH YEAR STUDIO // FALL SEMESTER PROJECT TYPE LOCATION DATE
URBAN DEVELOPMENT KARANTINA, BEIRUT, LEBANON DEC. 2016
The area of Karantina is usually determined by low income mixed – use (between residential, commercial, semi industrial) neighborhood in the North eastern Beirut. The name initially came from quarantine for travelers that was initially built by the son of Muhammad Ali Pasha, the Governor of Egypt. Later developed into metal based industries. There are 2 major industries which make the city one the most polluted areas of all of Lebanon which are the slaughterhouse (which recently closed down) and the presence of Sukleen waste center (Pollution grew vastly after the garbage crisis in Lebanon). The urban development will bring life to the dead and polluted area through providing social spaces where people can interact and connect through green corridors and pathways that connect all the commercial, residential, and entertainment zones together. The landďŹ ll will be transformed into a sports village where hikers can follow different interconnected path along the beachfront, passing along different kinds of playgrounds and centers that house different activities, and ending where the journey began, creating a loop of activities.
14
KARANTINA // BEIRUT
The Lazaretto (AKA Quarantine) was initially to be managed by Austrian, Danish, French and Greek committee where in 1951 the area was overcome by approximately 1,300 Palestinian refugees (later to grow up to 27,000 people settled in the area by 1976). Unfortunately, a massacre occurred within the area killing up to 1,500 people. The central industrial works were to revolve around the production of glass, furniture, tile and bricks, and leather products.
SITE ANALYSIS ZONING
ROAD NETWORK
TRAFFIC FLOW
EXISTING SCENERY LandďŹ ll view from Port
Fishing Port
16
THE URBAN LANDSCAPE
HOTEL RESORT
A tourist attraction that acts as a central magnet in the urban context
KINETIC MARKET A market that consists of different level alleyways shaded by a kinetic tent structure that acts as facade
MAIN ENTRANCE
KEY ELEMENTS
HOTEL MAIN FLOOR PLAN
18
EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC
ASSYMETRY
Uniformity of design was considered fatal to the freshness of imagination. “Designs which are asymmetrical are more dynamic, hence active” – Mansi Skhukla
INTEGRATION
Integration is achieved through the continuation of the form of the entire urban plan and merging it into the project.Reduce everything to the “Pitch of Essence”
20
03 CULTURE & TOURISM CENTER
DUALITY OF OPPOSITES
4 TH YEAR STUDIO // SPRING SEMESTER PROJECT TYPE LOCATION DATE
COMMERCIAL SIDON, SOUTH LEBANON MAY. 2016
Trade & Tourism centers are exciting, dynamic, and ever changing, they have become centers of community activity, conversation and entertainment as well as powerful engines of commerce. Good retail design, in addition to the technical issues, addresses the task of attracting consumers, keeping them at the center longer, and making the shopping experience safe, convenient, and pleasant, so to ensure a return visit. However, the complex is a place where the tradition and the functionality cuddle the interest of everyone and make them feel like home. Inspired by the traditional architecture of the Middle East, Central Market is a modern interpretation of the traditional bazaar, selling almost every conceivable product, from luxury goods to food and artisan crafts. Like the traditional souk, these different experiences are brought together in a sensory interior palette of dappled sunlight, warm woods, colors and running water. This project consists of designing a multi-level regional Trade and Tourism center.
22
SIDON // SOUTH LEBANON
Sidon’s waterfront is a prominent area that promises opportunity and adventure to the person who seeks, its proximity to the sea and the cultural heritage of the ancient ďŹ shing port make it an essential node in the spacial organization of the city. By adjusting certain aspects, the project becomes a magnetic social hub that connects the main highway to the inner streets and corridors of the old city.
AGRICULTURE
GREEN SPACES
NODES & LANDMARKS
DESIGN APPROACH MAGNETIC PERMABILITY Magnetic permiability is the concept of studying the attraction points of a given site, points that acts as a magnet that shapes the building in a certain direction or form. This way of creating a design is only preliminary and does not give information regarding certain details, but i does suggest the best position for entraces, facades and other main elements. The blue-Green network of sidons is very important to the idea of combining the old saida with the new saida. Sidons has a very diverse and colorful side represented by the waterfront, and the green municipal areas are a new concept being developed, while the old saida has agriculture and trade.
ZONING & DISTRIBUTION ANCHORS
RETAIL SHOPS
CORES
FLOOR TO FLOOR
DARK WOOD
LIGHT WOOD
GREEN PATHWAYS
We notice a spread of agricultural land in the east side which indicates abundance of trade in that area, local farmers can sell their products in the central market. Also we can see heavy greenary under and around the bridge which in the future can be expanded to be included as part of the trade center where merchants display their products. This site has a direct approach from the main entrance of saida, this will transform the project into a landmark for the city. Approximity to the stadium helps revive that dead activity area into a flourishing buisness
24
DUALITY: PLAYING BY OPPOSITES As hinted at by the word "dual" within it, duality refers to having two parts, often with opposite meanings, like the duality of good and evil, and similar to this, the materials are harmonious yet opposite in their nature, which brings contrast and life to the project itself.
THE BLACK
THE WHITE
The black or dark side of this duality is represented in the project by the use of dark timber wood, it absorbs the ray of sunlight hitting it and reflects little to non. It is also shown in the floor patterns on the used tiling.
The white or light side of this duality in the project is represented mainly by the structure system that is apparent throughout the building. There is an emphasis on the use of strong white color to contrast the dark color used on the walls.
In this wall section, we can see how the structure of the building exceeds its limits to overshow outside the building, the main element here is the use of white color for the structure system, and dark color panels for the walls, which represents the duality of the project
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
SECTION A-A
SECTION B-B
26
The entrance plaza is sunk below the pedestrian pathways to emphasize its importance making act as a leading role in guiding the visitors and users of this space into the project, similar to the opening paragraph of a story or book that introduces the reader to the contents of the book, and the adventures that they are about to face. It is an introductory statement that summarizes the idea of the project into a singular space.
The duality is apparent here in this night shot through the play on facades. A dark personality is shown in the wooden fractions that also play as light slits to allow natural light into the interior space, and a more light personality surfaces with the use of stained concrete that act as an anchor that solidifies the entire mass
The wooden structures used in the facades have a complex fractal form but at the same time the spatial organization of all the elements is linear and repetitive. This relates to the duality principle mentioned before. Trusses and beams support the outer shell, giving a brief idea of the interior space, this method was used to support the natural use of wood and preserve the traditional implication techniques.
28
ARY OND E C E C S RAN ENT
MA
IN
ENT
RAN C E
04 GOOGLE HEADQUARTERS
UNESCO OFFICE BUILDING
4 TH YEAR STUDIO // FALL SEMESTER PROJECT TYPE LOCATION DATE
OFFICES / RETAIL UNESCO, BEIRUT, LEBANON DEC. 2015
An office is an architectural and design phenomenon; whether it is a small office such as a bench in the corner of a small business of extremely small size, through entire floors of buildings, up to and including massive buildings dedicated entirely to one company. The project collates the different phases of bureaucratic work and divides it into a functional yet un-boring experience for the white collar worker
SIDON // SOUTH LEBANON
30
Unesco area is labeled as an educational part of town, its surrounded by the ministry of education as well as several other educational institutions. On the western part of the area lies a strip of high rise towers ranging from hotels to broadcast stations. This part of town is like a gateway to the commercial district where many businesses and ofďŹ ces ourish. The lots rest on the intersection of two major roads, one connects the cola area to the inner city, and the other road leads to the Beirut-Saida highway. This fact makes the lot a crucial element in daily route communication and a monument to the workplace.
GRAVITATIONAL MAGNET
The philosophy behind this project revolves around shaping the curvature of the building by following a central gravitational point that pulls the outer curves inwards as the height rises, The axis of the gravity point is inclined to create an uneven system level that ends midway through the building. This idea has resulted in a curvature that expands upwards allowing for better wind dynamics and a natural ventilation system.
PLANS LOWER LEVEL
UPPER LEVEL
TYPICAL FLOOR
32
PROJECT FEATURES
05 EXECUTION DRAWINGS
UNESCO OFFICE BUILDING
4 TH YEAR STUDIO // SPRING SEMESTER PROJECT TYPE LOCATION DATE
OFFICES / RETAIL UNESCO, BEIRUT, LEBANON MAY. 2016
The following work compliments the previous project, it includes various construction permitted architectural drawings with respect to the rules and regulations of the area, as well as building details created solely for this project.
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN
34
SECTIONS
SITE DETAILS
36 ELEVATION I / WALL SECTION I WITH DETAILS
ELEVATION II / WALL SECTION II WITH DETAILS
karim.sinjer@hotmail.com
MOBILE
+961 3 490 157