Work Portfolio
1 Architect Director Production Designer Visual storyteller
Nora Saleh. 2023 Storyboard Design Research 3D Model Editing Render
Contents
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3 05 Storytelling in Other Forms Photograhy AIAS Tefaseel Design Exhibition Participant Statement 06 20 44 50 Bea-ugly, Eye Candy 52 3D Modeling 46 Blade Runner 2049, Meteor Photography II class A Commercial project AROMA Cafe & Roastery Finding the self VOICE A Kuwaiti Short Film Childern Book Bu Driyah Model making 42 Architecture 30 A Futuristic Dystopian Kuwait: Speculative Story De-familiarization Architecture Undergraduate Thesis
Statement
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Nora Saleh Architect.
Director. Filmmaker. Visual storyteller
My curiosity and creativity expanded in multiple mediums, films, art, and architecture. I am an architect and filmmaker enthusiast who found her passion in creating spaces and telling stories. I made a short film with my friends over the past year. That short film later became the beginning of my new career path. In the process of filmmaking, I realized how much I thrive in telling stories, and here I am looking for new stories to tell.
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A Kuwaiti Short Film
VOICE
Experimental project about finding the self
Directed by Nora Saleh
Samaa Al Shammari
Videography
Samaa Al Shammari
Editor
Nora Saleh
Cast
Safaa Rachid
Doha Al Shammari
Arwa Almansoori
Alzahraa Ashkanani
Fatmia Al Awadhi
Hashem Al Hashmi
Noura Al Nassar
Sarah Al Khamees
Special Thanks
Abdullah Al Shammari
Ahmad Al Mutawaa
Barrak Al Shammari
Fatmia Al Kanderi
Hala Al Mutairi
Hessa Mohammed
Musaed Al Qudifi
Watch Online
https://vimeo.com/698985659
2021-2022
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Film poster
Theme stated
Break into act 2
Society conflicts (People)
No turning back
Realization
Symbol and key
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Opening scene
The clue
World set up
Catalyst
Fun and games
Fear
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The protagonist set up
Self doubt Day 2 Society conflict ( Government ) All lost Mid point Finding the truth Transitional point Accepting the VOICE The ending scene
Revealing the protagonist
Dreams
The beginning
extended beyond me, questions haunted me, and the starvation for more were all leading me to find myself. In this film, I was exposed to all aspects of filmmaking, from telling a story, lighting a space, set design, and directing the camera and crew. It was a film made through a lens of an architect.
I needed to find my spark, and I think I found mine here.
VOICE is an abstract story, a poem, and a piece of art that somehow captured what I went through emotionally after graduation. This experimental project was a story that aligned with mine. It is a story about finding the self.
I certainly did not imagine my struggle of that time would transform into a short film. Neither did I think that phone call with my friend asking her if we could do a short film would grow into a career path. The curiosity Film poster
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Storyboard illustrations The Inspiration
Setting Up the Story
The story sets in a dystopian theme. The government warns people about the danger of following the VOICE. The protagonist will start feeling the VOICE in her dreams of the maze, the door, and the other world. Later the VOICE will appear to challenge her in the maze, and only when she trusts it, she will find the truth. She will find the door to the other world.
The message of the story?
It is a reminder for everyone, including me, that we are courageous and capable of creating what we can’t have. Once we trust ourselves, we can open the door to another world, other possibilities. It’s a message for everyone that we can own our world. I want you to hear the VOICE. I want to spark an idea in you that the voice is inside all of us.
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Clips from the film
Pre-Production
Research & References
The research process started with questioning how to make our idea into a film? What are the theme and the flow of the film? The tone and color? What are the tools we need? The preparation process, case-study analysis, and data collection were all collected in a shared notebook, milanote, which becomes our answers, guidelines, and reference book whenever we get lost in the process. The initial idea was progressing when it started to fold into spaces. The location scouting, storyboarding, camera movements, and rehearsals all grounded the story and shaped the film.
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Digital note Pre-Production
Setting Up the World
Location 01, Anwar Al-Sabah Complex
The location was selected to present the story’s city ground atmosphere and how dirty and dark it is. We wanted to show how some people are searching and calling for the VOICE while vandalizing the streets. The scene composition and lighting, camera movement, and the way these actors moved in the scene were all decisions made to add up to the mystery and theme of the story.
Location 02, Kuwait City
The scene started with a pan shot, revealing the wanting and warning papers on the wall. It was our answer to how to show to the audience the government’s point of view in the story. The protagonist takes one of these posters and reveals what’s written on it. “Do not follow the VOICE and run away if you hear the VOICE”. This message is what later the protagonist will face to choose between following the VOICE or not.
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Production
Location 03, Abandoned Building
The end of the maze, the key room is the portal to the other world. It is where the protagonist finally trusted the VOICE, and she will get rewarded for that.
This scene was the first thing we imagined in the story. We imagined the wind, the sound, VFX, and the candles to capture this magical feeling. The challenging part was the need to set up all lighting: filling, back, and key light. It was the most enjoyable setup we did in the film.
Location 04, Subiya
The ending scene can be interpreted differently. Is it another world? Or is it your own creation? Is it a world for everyone or just you? It is the liberating part of following the VOICE. It is the trust regardless of where it takes you. Somehow this location has always given me the feeling of being in another world, so I knew it should be the ending of my film. The scene has been photo-shopped and colored intentionally to evoke a visual feeling of a world differ from the protagonist’s world.
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Production
Location 05, Abandoned Warehouse
The maze, the fun and games part, is the core element of the story. It is where the VOICE challenges the protagonist to find the truth hidden between the maze’s walls. The use of symbolism was to create depth and navigation in the story. The book was a diary found in the maze to represent another character’s existence in the story. It was a hint that she was not the only one chosen by the VOICE .
The maze was the hardest yet the most enjoyable thing in the production process. It took us lots of trial and error and preparation. The main challenge was to create a maze out of one corridor and a few rooms and plan each shot perfectly to match the one before and after it. Also, shooting in pitch dark corridor and trying to light it up with low-budget light was another challenge that needed to be solved.
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Production
Editing & Sound Design
After editing the film’s first draft, we had the spotting meeting, where we wrote down every single sound idea and feeling that needed to be captured in every scene. We had to research and understand how other filmmakers have dealt with sounds and uplifted their films emotionally and connected the audience with them. We started to add sounds separately from environment/ background sounds, Foley SFX, music, and voice overs to later layering them and notice how all these sounds will respond to each other.
17 Post-Production
Film Premier
On the night of 31st March, VOICE was released at the Contemporary Art Platform theater. The short film and the premier were put together by a group of females who found themselves questioning life and the self. The 12 mins short film was their way of finding their answers, and to feed their curiosity. It was a public event where filmmakers and architects joined us in a discussion about making the VOICE with no background or professional support or financing. The audience got to see the hard work and tears that went into making this film, the beginning and the end, the broken lights, the funny jokes, our dreams and aspiration, and the trust we built between us as a team.
On that night, I found where I belong. I belonged to the film I created, my audience, my friends, and the VOICE inside me. That night was the end of a project but the beginning of my career. Sometimes all we need is some curiosity, courage, and crazy friends to create great projects.
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Distribution The film screening and discussion
Commercial project
AROMA
-Cafe and Roastery -
Firm
Studio Nama
Location
Shuwaikh, Kuwait
Project Manager
Sarah Al-Sager
Role
Assisted in Designing the overall vision
Assisted in selecting materials,furnitures and lights. Created a full drawing set including specification schedules and FF&E.
Phase
Bidding
Opening Oct 2023
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Espresso Bar
Design Brief
Aroma Shuwaikh is a Kuwaiti-owned roastery and cafe situated in the newly built 225 Mall. Despite the surrounding industrial buildings and car repair shops, the mall itself features a variety of shops and restaurants.
The cafe is situated in a 78 sqm space with existing conditions that include a spiral staircase and a mezzanine. One of the design challenges was the excessive exposure of ductwork and small ceilings that needed to be addressed in the design.
The ground level of the project features a bar, a roasting room, a seating area, and a bathroom. Despite the limited space, Aroma provides a captivating environment for coffee enthusiasts. The cafe bar offers a cozy atmosphere where visitors can indulge in expertly brewed coffee. Adjacent to the bar, the roasting room allows visitors to witness the art of coffee roasting up close. The mezzanine level includes another bar and a cupping area.
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Existing photos
Existing Condition
23 UP 1 A 4.1 1 A 4.2 1 A 4.0 9020 4205 1 A 4.3 585 4923 EXHAUST PIPE FOR ROASTER; ALIGNED WITH EXISTING CORE IN SLAB ABOVE 2820 1368 WATER FILTER AND ACCUMULATOR CLOSET 2130 590 250 1300 3800 2050 500 ESPRESSO BAR 101 ROASTING ROOM 102 SEATING 100 TOILET 103 CLEAR 800 1330 160 630 CLEAR 915 100 1660 1530 BROOM CLOSET 100 430 100 EXISTING STEEL STRUCTURE; TO BE PAINTED COLOR TBD ALIGN NEW WALL WITH STEEL COLUMN BUILD OUT WALL TO ALIGN WITH STEEL COLUMN; WALL FINISH CERAMIC TILE PER FINISH SCHEDULE. WIRE FOR LED STRIP LIGHT AT END OF WALL BUILD OUT WALL TO ALIGN WITH STEEL COLUMN; WALL FINISH CERAMIC TILE PER FINISH SCHEDULE. WIRE FOR LED STRIP LIGHT AT TOP OF WALL 100 LOOSE FURNITURE; WORK TABLE 1015 PRODUCT DISPLAY SHELVES BUILT IN BENCH SEATING WITH CUSHION AND BACK SUPPORT 475 BUILD OUT WALL +2.2 HEIGHT TO ALIGN WITH STEEL COLUMN EXISTING STAIRCASE; NEW CHROME HANDRAIL AND WOOD STAIRCASE FLOOR FINISH 704 1180 STAIRS 106 1530 600 840 880 OUTDOOR AREA 104 CLEAR 1355 840 5865 1155 E07 GYPSUM WALL +2.2 HIGH 420 BUILD OUT WALL +2.2 HEIGHT TO ALIGN WITH STEEL COLUMN 250 2800 Ground Floor Plan
Layout
The Storefront design concept incorporates the use of masses and voids. We incorporated columns as mass guidelines while employing glass as the void to create a framed view. Additionally, we extended the bar area outside to serve as a seamless transition between the interior and exterior. Also, the facade is shifted inward, creating a shaded area where customers can enjoy their coffee. This addition allows for outdoor seating during pleasant weather conditions.
25 AROMA The Bar and Seating Area
Final Proposal
Storefront elevation
26 E03 E02 P01 P03 E04 P01 P02 E05 P08 P10 E06 P04 P05 F01 F01 F01 F02 F03 F02 F06 E08 F06 P09 F07 F11 F10 F10 THE CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEW OF ALL PORTIONS OF CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO DETAILS, DIMENSIONS, PLANS, SPECIFIC AREA OR ITEM OF CONSTRUCTION PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF WORK. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL INCONSISTENIES, DISCREPANCIES OR OMISSIONS PRIOR ARCHITECT'S CLARIFICATION WHERE APPLICABLE. INCLUDING ALL TECHNICAL DRAWINGS, GRAPHICS AND MODELS THEREOF, ARE PROPRIETARY AND CANNOT BE COPIED OR COMMERCIALLY EXPLOTED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITHOUT EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF STUDIO NAMA. THESE ARE AVAILABLE FOR LIMITED REVIEW AND EVALUTION BY CLIENTS, CONSULTANTS, OTHER PERSONNEL ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS COPYRIGHT © STUDIO NАMA 2022 Drawn by: Project Number: Sheet Issue Date: Checked by: Client: Project Address: SCALE 20 Aroma Roastery Shuwaikh, Kuwait ARC015 Ahmad Alhammad Author GROUND FF&E A 2.4 05/24/23 Checker Revision No.Revision Description Date 05/06/2023 Electrical Equipment Schedule Mark Model CommentsCount Giesen Coffee roaster BY OWNER 01 La Marzocco Espresso MachineBY OWNER 02 Espresso Grinder BY OWNER 03 Filter Coffee Grinder BY OWNER 04 Filter Coffee Grinder BY OWNER 05 Ratio Coffee filter BY OWNER 06 Giesen Coffee roaster BY OWNER 07 Dishwasher BY OWNER 08 Electric Kettle BY OWNER 09 La Marzocco Espresso MachineBY OWNER 10 Sampl Roaster BY OWNER Furniture Schedule Mark Model Location Count Manufacturer Supplier Togo 2 sea; Custom upholstered in leather La casa Shuwaikh or vBy G.C. By G.C. 01 Custom Low Chair in Oak wood Entry Level 3 By G.C. By G.C. 3 02 Custom Coffee Table, in MahoganyEntry Level 2 By G.C. By G.C. 2 03 Built-In Bench seating with leather Cushions and 6 pillows Entry Level 1 By G.C. By G.C. 04 04 Custom stainless steel metal and wood Product Display Shelf Entry Level 1 By G.C. By G.C. 05 h, OakEntry Level By G.C. By G.C. 06 High Stool Chair Roasting Room By G.C. 07 Roasting Room By G.C. By G.C. 08 By G.C. 6 09 Custom Dark stained wood table with wood base By G.C. By G.C. 10 10 Custom signle dose shelf 6 By G.C. By G.C. 6 11 11 Custom Low Coffee Table in Oak wood 1 By G.C. By G.C. 12 12 Togo 2 sea; Custom upholstered in leather La casa Shuwaikh or vBy G.C. By G.C. 13 13 Custom Coffee Table in Stain veneerMezzanine 1 By G.C. By G.C. Plumbing Fixture Schedule Mark Model Comments LevelCountManufacturer Comment 01 Rinser 3 By Owner 02 7365 Faucet Entry LeveL2 Moen CommercialBy G.C. 03 Sink Stainless Steel Sink, By. G.C. 04 Water Filter By Owner By Owner 06 D-Code Hand sink 450 mm - 070545 Sink Entry LeveL1 Duravit By G.C. 07 Wall mountedFacuet Entry LeveL1 By G.C. 08 Wall mountedToilet Entry LeveL1 Roca or similarBy G.C. 09 Tece Toilet tank Entry LeveL1 TECE, Hassan AbulBy G.C. 10 Spray- stainless steel Sanitary Spary Entry LeveL1 T.B.D By G.C. 11 single leverstainless steel Shower Mixer Entry LeveL1 Grohe By G.C. Ground Floor Finish EPOXY FLOOR S01 S01 EPOXY FLOOR S01 PLANTER BOX S02 S02 PARQUET FLOOR ROASTING ROOM 102 TOILET 103 SEATING 100 ESPRESSO BAR 101 OUTDOOR AREA 104 STAIRS THE CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEW OF ALL PORTIONS OF CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO DETAILS, DIMENSIONS, PLANS, SPECIFIC AREA OR ITEM OF CONSTRUCTION PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF WORK. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL INCONSISTENIES, DISCREPANCIES OR OMISSIONS PRIOR ARCHITECT'S CLARIFICATION WHERE APPLICABLE. INCLUDING ALL TECHNICAL DRAWINGS, GRAPHICS AND MODELS THEREOF, ARE PROPRIETARY AND CANNOT BE COPIED OR COMMERCIALLY EXPLOTED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITHOUT EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF STUDIO NAMA. THESE ARE AVAILABLE FOR LIMITED REVIEW AND EVALUTION BY CLIENTS, CONSULTANTS, OTHER PERSONNEL ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS COPYRIGHT © STUDIO NАMA 2022 Drawn by: Project Number: Sheet Issue Date: Checked by: Client: Project Address: SCALE 20 Aroma Roastery Shuwaikh, Kuwait ARC015 Ahmad Alhammad Author GROUND FLOOR FINISH FLOOR PLAN A 2.2 05/24/23 Checker Revision No.Revision Description Date 05/06/2023 FLOOR FINISH LEGEND Tag Image Type SizeTOTAL Area Supplier S01 EPOXY FLOOR n/a 36 m² CMTC OR SIMILAR S02 BRICK FLOOR 25x513 m² NIC KUWAIT W01 PARQUET FLOOR 19X13022 m² HASSAN ABUL (ALLOWANCE 17KD) W02 WOOD FLOOR Cut to fit0 m² BY G.C. (MEASURE EXISTING STAIRCASE) FLOOR FINISH SCHEDULE TagFloor Area Tile Size Comments Entry LeveL 22 m²N/A 101ESPRESSO BAR S01 11 m²N/A EPOXY FLOOR 102ROASTING ROOM S02 10 m²25X5 TILES 104OUTDOOR AREA S01 3 m²N/A EPOXY FLOOR 106STAIRS W02 0 m²CUT TO SIZE PARQUET FLOOR 105Mezzanine W01 22 m²19X130 PARQUET FLOOR
FF&E Schedule Ground Floor
Specification & schedules
Specification & schedules
27 F08 F08 F08 F08 F08 F08 F09 F12 F13 E09 P01 E10 THE CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEW OF ALL PORTIONS OF CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO DETAILS, DIMENSIONS, PLANS, SPECIFIC AREA OR ITEM OF CONSTRUCTION PRIOR TO NOTIFY THE ARCHITECT'S OFFICE IMMEDIATELY OF ANY INCONSISTENIES, DISCREPANCIES OR OMISSIONS PRIOR ARCHITECT'S CLARIFICATION WHERE APPLICABLE. INCLUDING ALL TECHNICAL DRAWINGS, GRAPHICS AND MODELS THEREOF, ARE PROPRIETARY AND CANNOT BE COPIED OR COMMERCIALLY EXPLOTED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITHOUT EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF STUDIO NAMA. THESE ARE AVAILABLE FOR LIMITED REVIEW AND EVALUTION BY CLIENTS, CONSULTANTS, OTHER PERSONNEL ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS COPYRIGHT © STUDIO NАMA 2022 WWW.STUDIONAMA.COM Drawn by: Project Number: Sheet Issue Date: Checked by: Client: Project Address: SCALE 1 20 Aroma Roastery Shuwaikh, Kuwait ARC015 Ahmad Alhammad Author MEZZANINE FF&E A 2.5 05/24/23 Checker Revision No.Revision Description 05/06/2023 Electrical Equipment Schedule Mark Model CommentsCount Giesen Coffee roaster BY OWNER 1 01 La Marzocco Espresso MachineBY OWNER 1 02 Espresso Grinder BY OWNER 1 03 Filter Coffee Grinder BY OWNER 1 04 Filter Coffee Grinder BY OWNER 1 05 Ratio Coffee filter BY OWNER 1 06 Giesen Coffee roaster BY OWNER 1 07 Dishwasher BY OWNER 1 08 Electric Kettle BY OWNER 1 09 La Marzocco Espresso MachineBY OWNER 1 10 Sampl Roaster BY OWNER 1 Furniture Schedule Mark Model Location Count Manufacturer Supplier Togo 2 sea; Custom upholstered in leather La casa Shuwaikh or vBy G.C. By G.C. 01 01 Custom Low Chair in Oak wood Entry Level 3 By G.C. By G.C. 3 02 02 Custom Coffee Table, in MahoganyEntry Level 2 By G.C. By G.C. 2 03 03 Built-In Bench seating with leather Cushions and 6 pillows Entry Level By G.C. By G.C. 04 04 Custom stainless steel metal and wood Product Display Shelf Entry Level By G.C. By G.C. 05 05 Custom Coffee Table attached Bench, OakEntry Level By G.C. By G.C. 06 06 High Stool Chair Roasting Room Ikea By G.C. 07 07 Workstation Table Roasting Room By G.C. By G.C. 08 08 Modle 01 Warm brown birch By G.C. 6 09 wood base By G.C. By G.C. 10 10 Custom signle dose shelf 6 By G.C. By G.C. 6 11 11 Custom Low Coffee Table in Oak wood By G.C. By G.C. 12 12 Togo 2 sea; Custom upholstered in leather La casa Shuwaikh or vBy G.C. By G.C. 13 13 Custom Coffee Table in Stain veneerMezzanine By G.C. By G.C. Plumbing Fixture Schedule Mark Model Comments LevelCountManufacturer Comment 01 Rinser 3 By Owner 02 7365 Faucet Entry LeveL2 Moen CommercialBy G.C. 03 Sink Stainless Steel Sink, By. G.C. 04 Water Filter By Owner 05 Accumlator 60L By Owner 06 D-Code Hand sink 450 mm - 070545 Sink Entry LeveL1 Duravit By G.C. 07 Wall mountedFacuet Entry LeveL1 By G.C. Entry LeveL1 Roca or similarBy G.C. 09 Tece Toilet tank Entry LeveL1 TECE, Hassan AbulBy G.C. 10 Spray- stainless steel Sanitary Spary Entry LeveL1 T.B.D By G.C. 11 single leverstainless steel Shower Mixer Entry LeveL1 Grohe By G.C. Mezzanine Floor Finish PARQUET FLOOR PARQUET FLOOR W02 Mezzanine 105 BUT NOT LIMITED TO DETAILS, DIMENSIONS, PLANS, SPECIFIC AREA OR ITEM OF CONSTRUCTION PRIOR TO NOTIFY THE ARCHITECT'S OFFICE IMMEDIATELY OF ANY TO COMMENCEMENT OF ANY WORK AND AWAIT THE NOTES: THE DESIGNS SHOWN AND DESCRIBED HEREIN MODELS THEREOF, ARE PROPRIETARY AND CANNOT BE PART, WITHOUT EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF REVIEW AND EVALUTION BY CLIENTS, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, VENDORS AND OTHER PERSONNEL ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS COPYRIGHT © STUDIO NАMA 2022 WWW.STUDIONAMA.COM Drawn by: Project Number: Sheet Issue Date: Checked by: Client: Project Address: SCALE 1 20 Aroma Roastery Shuwaikh, Kuwait ARC015 Ahmad Alhammad MEZZANINE FLOOR FINISH PLAN A 2.3 05/24/23 1CONSTRUCTION BID 05/06/2023 FLOOR FINISH LEGEND Tag Image Type SizeTOTAL Area Supplier S01 EPOXY FLOOR n/a 36 m² CMTC OR SIMILAR W01 PARQUET FLOOR 19X13022 m² HASSAN ABUL (ALLOWANCE 17KD) BY G.C. (MEASURE EXISTING STAIRCASE) FLOOR FINISH SCHEDULE RM.# Room Name TagFloor Area Tile Size Comments Entry LeveL 100SEATING S01 22 m²N/A EPOXY FLOOR 101ESPRESSO BAR S01 11 m²N/A EPOXY FLOOR 103TOILET S02 3 m²25X5 TILES 104OUTDOOR AREA S01 3 m²N/A EPOXY FLOOR 106STAIRS W02 0 m²CUT TO SIZE PARQUET FLOOR Mezzanine FF&E Schedule Mezzanine
28 Final Proposal
Inspiration for mezzanine
The Mezzanine
Upon reaching the mezzanine level, a dedicated cupping area awaits, featuring an inviting bar and a large communal table that caters to customers during non-cupping sessions. The use of wood flooring, metal and natural tones creates a comforting and pleasant experience. The space also incorporates display shelves and a vintage togo sofa, all complemented by decorative floor lamp.
29 Final Proposal
Architecture
De-familiarization: A Futuristic Dystopian Kuwait
- Speculative Story, Kitbashing
Studio
Kuwait University
Department of Architecture
Architecture Undergraduate Thesis
Location
Mubarakiyah School, Kuwait
Instructor
Meshari Ali
Teaching Assistants
Asaiel Alsaeed
Tools and Techniques
Rhinoceros, V-ray, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
Award:
Nominee for RIBA silver Medal PartII
Fall 2019- Spring 2020
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The Fountain and Gate
Design Brief
Our perception of the world is shaped through dystopian films. In those films we always imagine alternative worlds as a way of understanding our own. Dystopian films are designed to evoke questions about reality. Therefore, by analyzing multiple dystopian films such as Blade Runner and Metropolis, I was intrigued by the concept of forecasting a future.
The project, De-familiarization, focuses on a speculative future story of Kuwait’s architecture. Kuwait has a long history of borrowing foreign forms and symbols all the while demolishing their own. It has become a country that has lost all sense of its own architectural identity. This pattern behavior raises the question as to what will become of the country’s architectural identity where any sense of the familiar becomes manipulated?
The project is set within a future, influenced by current events, where Kuwait & China have established strong ties. A future where cultural and formal symbols of the country’s architecture start to become de-familiarised through their merging.
Based in the heart of Souk Mubarakiya, the project re-appropriates a landmark building into its newfound image, challenging the familiarity of the old with the unfamiliarity of the new. The architecture plays on the balance of what we associate to our culture through formal exploration but also how Kuwait’s architecture evolves through formal inheritance.
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Statement Globalization Time-line
"What if one day those in the depths rise up against you?"
"Woman and men, let no one miss today! Death to the
What is it to be a human?
"All those memories will be lost like tears in the rain"
33 Film Analysis
Machines!!" Utopia, Illusion The ground
Hierarchy, No Identity, Slaves Underground 1:40:20 00:07:57 1:47:12 00:05:51 High technology 00:18:18 00:24:28 Headquarter, Surveillance 00:03:25 Global warming 00:07:37 High technology Mass Globalization, Heterogeneous society 00:17:01 Headquarter, Surveillance 1:45:47
Vs Replicant 00:26:36 1:46:50
Human
This a world where China has a global influence. Their signs and language took over Kuwait City. The city became a collage of unfamiliar forms and symbols. The familiar buildings were threatened to be demolished. The unfamiliarity continued to spread, taking over the most familiar sites in the city "Mubarakiya". A building in the heart of Mubarakiya is transformed by Chinese government to become Chinese embassy. You can trace the origin of building, yet new layers were added to it, making it in a state of De-familiarity.
35
Storyboard
Concept
36 Final Proposal
The exterior skin of the building is currently the most identifiable, thus, the final proposal focuses on making it de-familiar through shifting, removing, and manipulating some of its original elements. On the other hand, the nature of the internal courtyard is unfamiliar, so, this unfamiliarity has been embraced and exaggerated through kitbashing. Then, the inside is pulled out through a series of gates and vistas, creating a visual connection in between.
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Section A-A
Section B-B
Final Proposal
38
Kit bashed lobby and foyer
Final Proposal
East Elevation
Kitbashing
A formal mechanism used to transform familiar objects into a state of Defamiliarity. It works through Scaling, Distorting, Rotating and Combining familiar forms to perceive and see them in a new way.
39
Final Proposal
Storytelling in Other Forms
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41
Children Storybook
Before the discovery of oil, Kuwaiti men used to go pearl diving in the Arabian Gulf water. It was a dangerous journey, but the only mean of living for many of them. However, it was not just the sea dangers that they ought to fear. The untold harsh concept of pearl diving is that the Nawkhedha* take men with him in his ship in exchange for money or their property’s ownership. If men failed to collect pearls, they’re in debt to him, having to give up their houses or find any other means to pay back the money. Because of that, many men have gone missing. This story depicts a past where this harsh truth was hidden by the invention of a sea monster called Bu Driyah. This mythological creature was believed to cause storms and steal men. The story unfolds to the realization that Bu Driyah was in fact no other than the evil Nawkhedha.
*Nwakhedha in Arabic translated to the Captain of the Ship
42
N OURA S M S AFA ’ A M R Warm up project HOWEVER THE STORY OF OUR GRANDPARENTS WASN T AS BRIGHT AS IT MIGHT SEEM THE SEA WAS FULL OF DANGERS, AND STORIES OF MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURES WHO LIVED IN THE DEPTH OF THE SEA WERE TOLD TO CHILDREN TO SCARE THEM FROM GOING NEAR THE SHORE AT NIGHT T THIS IS A STORY OF A STRONG MAN WHO WENT DIVING FOR PEARLS DESPITE THE DANGER AN EVIL NAWKHIDHA WHO DIDN T HELP HIS MEN, A SEA MONSTER CALLED BU DR YAH, AND A BOY WHO FOUGHT THAT MONESTER, AND LIVED TO TELL THE STORY OF OUR FORGOTTEN FOLKLORE TODAY Cover page
43
Research
Bu Driyah story was written and illustrated by the author and Safa'a
44
Photography
Photography II Class
Photography II Class
45
Photography II Class, abolish 153
Photography II Class, abolish 153
Photography
3D Programs & Rendering engine
Currently, I am trying to learn different programs not just rhino, but trying to expand my knowledge in blender to render photorealistic pictures.
47
3D
Modeling
Design VI project render
Experiment in blender
The Film Exploration is a personal project. It focuses on developing multiple Skills: Storytelling, 3D Modeling, Texturing, Lighting and Animating
48
3D Modeling
Recreated scene from Blade Runner 2049
Cinema4d experimentation
Exhibition Theme: Utopia & Dystopia
Art Work Tittle: Bea-ugly
Concept: Utopia is translated through God creation: The human face and body! This art work seeks to challenge and distort the perfection of human's face and to transform it into a Dystopian form.
50 AIAS Tefaseel Design Exhibition
Exhibition Theme: Transparency
Art Work Tittle: Eye Candy
Incollabration with: KASA; Sarah Alenezi
Concept: What do you remember from your childhood? Your favorite blanket wrapped around you? How different the world looked depending on the color of your Mackintosh candy wrapper?
51
AIAS Tefaseel Design Exhibition
52
Model making
Lazer cutting plexi
53
Model making
Lazer cutting wood
