S
Saad alGhamdi
1 PROFESSIONAL 2 EXHIBITION 3 FREELANCING 4 SCHOOL
PROFESSIONAL WORK
2006-2010
In this section, in all the following projects I was a Project Manager in Arriyadh Development Authority ADA. I worked on wide range of significant ADA projects that benefited Riyadh. I have led with my team series of workshops starting with brain storming, design thinking, problem solving and as the project develops we focus on relevant issues right to the final documentation. As a Project Manager, I had to make sure that the administration of the projects was run smoothly, keeping all communication and the filing current and up-to-date. At ADA I collaborated with various international consulting firms such as Buro Happold (UK), Gerber Architekten (Germany), Albert Speer & Partner (Germany), Tropman & Tropman Architects (Australia) and Ayers Saint Gross (United States).
1
ALHAMRA PALACE
2008-2010
Al Hamra Palace is a historical restoration and re-habilitation project located in the King AbdulAziz Historical Center precinct, in the core of Arriyadh city. It was built in 1943-47 by order of the King AbdulAziz as a gift for his son Saud. King Saud lived there until 1956. The function of the building has changed over the years, at the present the palace remains empty en need to be restored and recalled to new life. The project intention is to restore al-Hamra palace and proceed to an assessment concerning the architectural, structural and technical situation; and explore the potentiality of the building as a possible venue for museology, exhibition, communication center etc. for Arryadh city. The objective was to realize a new focal centre for multimedia information, promotion research and events for Riyadh city that will integrate and enhance the spirit of the King AbdulAziz Historical Center. The assignment was a challenge to develop creative and imaginative activities to support and operate in synergy with the other local museum. The approach and the content of Alhamra Palace will be related but different from the others in the city. I worked in this project with my colleagues in ADA in cooperation with our partners from Tropman & Tropman Architects, Haleysharpe Exhibit Designers, Hoshan Group Interiors Design and BuroHappold Engineers to carry out the project design.
ALDOHO QUARTER
2008-2010
With the revival of the heritage values and with the better understanding of the traditional building construction methods, it was decided to restore, preserve and to renew the uses of the remaining section of the heritage Al Doho Quarters and to return the memory, the character and the atmosphere of the historic urban fabric to this part of Riyadh. This project consists of assessment of the existing urban and architectural situation, renewal of Al Doho Quarter Integrate it within the district and surrounding area, maintaining the commercial activities and developing urban restoration of existing open spaces within the quarter and introducing and enhancing new open space linkage to attract visitors. Redefine pedestrian and vehicular access. The objectives was to preserve the tradition of Saudi culture making the historic urban centre of al Doho a living and vibrant part of the city of Riyadh, to promote a physical rehabilitation and restoration program and to revitalize the area by new type of activities and develop new services and tourist attractions. I worked in this project with my colleagues in ADA in cooperation with our Americans partner from Ayers Saint Gross ASG to carry out the project design.
PSSO SCIENCE CENTER
2006-2009
The project intention is to design and build a world-class science center, the Prince Salman Science Oasis PSSO, which will educate, encourage and stimulate, coordinate and foster the awareness and interest in science, technological advances and environmental issues in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the World. I worked in this project as Project Manager with my colleagues in ADA in cooperation with our German partners from Gerber Architectural Consultant, Hottenger Exhibition Engineering, Bollinger and Grohman GB, DS-Plan, WES & Partners Landscape Architects and Saudi Consulting Services to carry out the project design.
EXHIBITION DESIGN
2006-2010
In this section, all the following Exhibition projects were designed and supervised by me during my wowk at Arriyadh Development Authority ADA. My job was to create a design that fit with the title of the displayed material for each exhibition.All the construction works done by local companies under my management and supervision. The Arriyadh Development Authority ADA objective of participating in these exhibitions was to make community and investors aware of the latest projects and plans that implemented by the ADA.
2
The Forum of Travel and Tourism Investment
2010
In this exhibition, the aim was to present the final design for Aldoho Quarter project to the public. The project goal is to restore, preserve and renew the remaining part of the old historical Riyadh city. The presented materials included projected boards of maps and architectural drawings, and display of a 3D animation for the final design. My design concept for the exhibition stand based on a small scale of the traditional Saudi mud house to return the memory, the character and the atmosphere of the historic urban fabric to this part of Riyadh.
Gulf Information & Technology Exhibition GITEX
2009
In this exhibition, the aim was to published the new website for the Riyadh city, there are four website that offer different services for the public. The four website are the English version of the official website of Riyadh, the Arabic version of the official website of Riyadh, The Riyadh’s Map website, and the official website for Arriyadh Development Authority. My design concepts for the exhibition stand based on a circular both with a central information area. The both has four main structures, each structure coverd with a recognized colored poster that represents one of the four websites. The posters textured with a traditional innovative pattern taken from the decoration of the old mud house in Riyadh. At the end of each structure there is a column that contain a built-in screen that play a short video to show a brief about about the website. On the back side of that column, there is a touch screen that allowed public to try the new website and discover it’s sections.
Real Estate and Urban Development Exhibition
2009
In this exhibition, the aim was to update people about the latest project done by the Arriyadh Development Authority ADA. The exhibit included different type of projects including public buildings, the new urban sub centers, roads and new infrastructures, Riyadh railway project. In addition, the exhibit displayed some physical models and live screen showing the construction work on each project site. My design concept for the exhibition stand is allowing for flexible and free space that can accommodate the function of the exhibit while providing a sense of separation. In the same time, the design is compact and open that can be manageable by a few numbers of staff that have control of the entire space. Deconstructed walls divide each section; the end edge line for each wall is continued on the ground carpet to give a feel of separation between each project. The color theme is bright white to create a contrast between the background wall and the project posters.
Real Estate and Urban Development Exhibition
2009
In this exhibition, the Arriyadh Development Authority ADA aim was to rise the issue environment awareness to the public. The ADA exhibition title was “Our Environment … Our Life”. Part of this exhibition, the ADA wanted to show the visitors the available public spaces and parks that designed and developed by the ADA. My design idea for the exhibition stands based on garden theme concept, and gives a feeling of a natural space by using natural trees and stones. When you inter the exhibit space, you can hear a sound for birds and water, which helps to enhance the natural space feeling. The presentation methods include HD screens, boards, recorded materials, and brochures.
Real estate and Urban Development Exhibition
2008
In this exhibition, the aim was to emphasize the Arriyadh Development Authority ADA new vision. The ADA title was “Development for Life”. The new vision raised issues of people, culture, and environment. In addition, the ADA needed a space to project the updated strategic plan for the Riyadh city. My design concept for the exhibition stands based on the idea of “ Free box”. On the three outer sides of the box I offer as space to present the graphical boards for the ADA new vision. Each side named with one of the there categories: people, culture, and environment. On the front side of the box, I provide a reception area for the exhibit that includes sittings and a front desk. In the back of the interior box, I provided an enclosed room to project the updated strategic plan for the Riyadh city with an entrance from the left side of the front desk and an exit on the right side. The projection room was opened roof to allow the air flows and circulate through the space. The box large roof were supported by thin tilted columns to give a since of floating structure and allowing for more clear visual view.
FREELANCING PROJECTS
2008-2011
In this section, all the following projects were designed and supervised by me during my overtime work as a freelancer. Most of my work was on interior design, restoration work, corporate identity, graphic design, and exhibition design. As a designer, I had to make all the design stages, meet with clients, do all the presentations and architectural drawings, supervised the construction work.
3
ALSARH SCHOOL
2009-2010
The project encompasses the renewal and redesign of all internal and external spaces of AlSareh Schools Complex accordingly on approximately 13,802m² area, which covered Horizon Educational Holding office, school administration building, corridors, classrooms, labs, library, offices, outdoor areas and sport fields. In addition, the project covered the redesign of the school facades (Elevations). Part of this project was creating a new identity for the school by offered a full corporate identity services which include all necessary requirements.
CAZA VIA SHOWROOM
2009-2010
The project encompasses the interior design services of Showroom internal spaces on approximately 480 square meters for Casa√ia Company in Riyadh, and to provide a full corporate identity service for the new vision of the company, which includes all necessary requirements. Casa√ia Company is a well-known ceramics and bathrooms designers specialize in the supply, installation and service of all types of sinks, bathtubs, steam rooms and shower enclosures. My design concept for the showroom based on creating a homey atmosphere for the costumers and let them feel like in their home. The theme is a classical but with a modern touch, so I aimed to add modern objects to the show materials like a contemporary chair, a painting on the wall, or a cozy fur rug on the ground. For the lighting, I selected very attractive chandeliers to give a luxury feeling to the space and add value to the shown products.
The Exhibition of Travel and Tourism Investment
2011
In this exhibition, the Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) goals needed to be determined for all stakeholders that are seeking to achieve its aims. First came the determination of a definite path, in the formation of which all the segments and sectors of the Saudi society were involved. In this exhibition, SCTA aim to market some of the new opportunities for the stakeholders and investors to involve in the commission plans to achieve a balanced and sustainable development of tourism. The Tourism Commission offer an opportunity its main four sponsors to market their services and projects in this exhibition. My design concept for the exhibition stand based on three main functions: first, the SCTA main reception counter, second, the four sponsors counters, and the VIP business meeting rooms. I have created a tall tower that represent the palm tree as an identity for the Saudi Tourism. The orange color is the main theme color for the SCTA. I have located the main counter under the palm tower in the middle of the exhibition, and then I have divided the other sponsors counters on each side of the stand. In each corner, I provide private meeting rooms to allow to make business deals with the interested investors.
Volunteer Graphic Design Work
2013
In this section, I did several graphic posters and flyers for the Medical and Health Science Program at the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) as a volunteer designer. I participated in advertising the symposiums that managed by SACM.
SCHOOL PROJECTS
BA. 2001-2006
MA. 2012-2013
In this section, all the following projects were part of the architectural college design studios curriculum during pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals KFUPM, and my Master’s Degree at School of the Art Institute of Chicago. All projects were fully designed and executed by me.
4
Architectural Surface Performance Surface Performance
Design beyond simple flat-Âscreen applications into behavioral, cultural and environmental interactive layered envelopes for entire buildings in Riyadh, SaudiArabia. THESIS PROJECT
2012-2013
A new type of contemporary surface is design by capturing the forces that shape Saudis society. Issues of accelerated global urbanization, climate change and culture are addressed by questioning the deeply entrenched dogmas of Saudi Arabian architecture. In this project, I question foundations of design surrounding material behavior and capacity, environmental modulation and spatial conditioning. In my design/research approach, I have came up with a new type of parametric-panels system. The parametric-panel is a modular, dynamic, solar shading system that individually open and close in response to the movement of the sun throughout the course of a day. In the center of each module there is an electric motor that causes the triangle facets to fold into a fan shape. The opening-closing mechanism is automatically controlled by a building management system that computes the state of each module in response to data sent by light sensors and anemometer sensors for measuring wind speed. The panels system extends on top of the green roof to allow more shading and it contains group of photovoltaic cells that collect the sun’s energy during the day.
l’hotel Mille Fleurs
Madagascar
2011 - 2012
Hotel Mille Fleurs is a beachside eco-resort echoing and celebrating the myriad unique flora of the fantastic island of Madagascar. The skin of the hotel is covered witha brise-soleil of intelligently active flowers that continuously track activities inside and the environment outside, providing a constantly changing bouquet of views and shade while minimizing energy expenditures. The structural frame of the hotel is offset to provide three grand elevated promenades, each with a different set of activities, different places in the sun, and different degree of environmental enclosure against rain, cold, and insects. These provide the setting for extraordinary weddings, special events, and small conferences like the Davos forum. A recessed pool hard by the lee of the building provides protection from wind-blown sand and holds the heliport where guest depart for the general jardin des bizarreries that is Madagascar’s greatest delight.
Parametric Skin System
3D - Mechanical Diagram
Riverside Youth Center
2010 - 2011
In this project we worked in teams of 2 students, the projec is about the conceptualization and design of a new building for a Youth Center on a unique site on the Des Planes river in the Olmstead designed Riverside. The design offers series of programmatic event spaces attached to a gym/theater adjacent to a beautiful suspended bridge. Our design recpect and conseder the historic community with its unique winding parkways, emphasis on nature and stock of preserved architecture establish a eloquent context. In our design we aim to create an architecture that is magnetic to the local youths and respectful to the context. On the other hand, our detailed design of the interior become seamless with the exterior expression. At the end of the project, we presented our project to the President, trustees and some interested residents.
Presidential Suite
2011 - 2012
Famed Chicago Hotel Ambassador East has recently been restored and repositioned as a new class of hotel named PUBLIC Chicago. Built in 1926 in the Gold Coast neighborhood it served as the city “Living room” frequented by locals and visitors. In its hey-day, the esteemed hotel and its world famous restaurant, The Pump Room played host to renowned celebrities such as Frank Sanatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, John F. Kennedy and Robert Redford. This was the place to see and be seen. In this project I have been retained to design a celebrity suite for Elizabeth Taylor fans. The design consists of special rooms to accommodate high profile guests on the top floor of the hotel. My project designed within the existing walls of the structure for expansive living, entertaining and meeting space for the celebrities, politicians and athletes that are now being attracted to this reinvented historic inn. Taylor had a passion for jewelry, stating that “You can’t cry on a diamond’s shoulder, and diamonds won’t keep you warm at night, but they’re sure fun when the sun shines”, from that I came up with a unique concept that reflects this passion of Taylor. I studied the different ways of cutting jewelry and diamonds and the angles they usually use to make these cuts. I drew continuous lines on the floor plan and intersect them with specific angles. The theme is diverse from space to space according to the function and the size. In some parts of the walls and the ceiling of the room, I extruded the surface to create a since of a 3D dimensional space. In addition, I have designed the master bedroom bed and the living room furniture and all the window’s frames. I used Taylor’s distinct violet eyes as inspiration for the color theme in my design.
A
B
B
First Floor Plan A
Second Floor Plan
Section A-A
Section B-B
HOSPITALITY “A NEW HOSPITAL TYPE”
2010 - 2011
The existing hospital environment’s only focus is the physical health needs of its users. Research and common sense prove that physical health is directly related to our emotional health and therefore should be considered in a facility aimed towards healing physical health. We choose to redesign parts of the John H. Stroger Hospital located in Chicago, IL. Ranked as the one of the worst hospitals in the Chicago metro area, the hospital is well known for its long waits and confusing campus. Our project aims to heal people emotionally as well as physically by supporting patient’s normal social relationships and living habits while adding healing aspects; promote relationships among staff, visitor, and patient; and allow room for staff and visitors to support their patients. Speedier patient recoveries translate to lower expenses for the hospital and a better reputation. In order to meet these needs, our design addresses the ground plan and the top three floors of the existing hospital. Our new proposal provide a vertical park system serves as a façade system and interior community space, an atrium provides light to the interior and visibility across floors and levels, private quarters of patient rooms border the outside, and community spaces and general nurse station line patient rooms and look into the atrium. Family, friends, and visitors of patients are given spaces to gather and reside directly outside patient rooms so they may watch and support while giving patient privacy.
Warehouse Building
2011 - 2012
In this project I had to esign a single warehouse and office facility for a small Illinois based pump manufacturer. They are moving from the suburbs into Chicago to improve their facilities to attract and retain better staff as well as provide an on-the-ground location for client and company meetings. The total are for the site is 14,000 SF, and I had to provide the client with a site selection and project delivery report for the development of a new busiÂness premises for their expanding company based on site and code issues and the development of a suitable team and project delivery method. In this project I had to create an ability to produce technical documentation that describes a building, accurately depicting assemblies as well as zoning and code compliance (emphasis upon life safety), and develop an understanding of the regulatory frameworks that govern architectural practice. The aime of the project was to understand the office warehouse design and project considerations, the regulatory framework & professional regulation, codes & life safety issues, team structures, architect’s of leadership, client relations, procurement methodologies, transitioning into practice, licensing, the AIA and the architects code of conduct, specifications as primary technical documents, envelopes, joints, seams and details, projects from the field, project delivery and the legal dimensions of practice.
Happy Home Energy System Happy Home Energy System
2010 - 2011
Home energy consumption and billing is confusing. How do we become more aware of energy consumption and cost? A new interface will make tracking energy expenses clear and easy. The Whole System will be in different scales: Apartment Scale, Building Scale, Neighborhood Scale, City Scale, and Nation Scale. The In-Home Interface shows home totals in real dollars, gives breakdown of energy usage, and shows comparisons between current and previous month. In the neighborhood and city scales the interface shows neighborhood energy totals and gives comparisons between neighborhood rankings to give neighborhood rankings.
City-Wide Interface
In-Home Interface
Usage Ratings Neighborhood Interface
Kiosk Navigation Control System
2010 - 2011
The ways people interact with a transitive environment - the space between two points - can have a substantial effect on how they can interact within their end destination. This is especially relevant in the case of a hospital. My idea is to create a welcoming environment for first-time visitors, or recurring visitors, and provide clarity for these visitors unfamiliar to the hospital surroundings. Situations can already be stressful, so to lessen the anxiety surrounding the hospital environment, I’m proposing an information navigation system by using Rhino and Grasshopper programs, the system provides simple directions without the confusion of seeking on-site help. Similar to a car navigation system, my proposal is to make experience unique and personable. Step-By-Step Impromptu: Upon arrival, a visitor will enter their destination and swipe their hospital identification card, contained in it, a radio-frequency identification (RFID). The person would then be prompted to enter ahead, by way of a lighted walkway path, directly leading them to an entrance relating to their destination. Once at the required entrance, the visitor’s hospital identification card will then be activated via the RFID to then follow the color-coded guide signals flashing along the walls, directing each individual to their destination. Should a visitor go off-course to perhaps go back to their car or grab a snack in the cafeteria, there will be no need to start from the beginning. The RFID, containing the original destination information entered earlier, will be reconfigured from their new starting point within the hospital boundaries. The visitor will then continue to their destination without any confusion or hassle.
Grasshopper Definition
Baked Iterations
… Perceive: Voice-Activated Sensors … Stimulus: Movement Through Space (Flow Of People) … Change In Light: Interactive Footpaths To Destination
Site Model
Interactive Urban Object
2010 - 2011
Many new conditions within the study of networks in architecture have come not only from speculative mathematics but also from exemplary phenomena in the tangible world - creating rich fields of inquiry for vetting testable schema. Indeed our everyday experience with network inter-connectedness precedes our learned understanding of the nature of network creation, topology and behavior. In this project I mad a network for rumination, occupation and demonstration - focusing on the simple question: “how does one build network topology and behavior?” Via weekly, bi-monthly or monthly exercises. In this projec I explored the ability of fluid and conditional states of an urban object that converted into electronic (hardware / software) prototype, by using electronics, scripting via the Arduino micro-controller, Grasshopper, and Firefly and Processing. The urban object is changing its shape and light according to specific public behavioral performance by capturing the changes of people’s behavioral moves while they pass by the object.
Electronic Components & Grasshopper Definition
Baked Iterations
Physical Prototype Model
Dharan School Complex
2005 - 2006
The schools of the future well not have a standard of 25 to 35 students meeting five time days a week on inflexible schedules, the design of the space within the building will be planned for what will be taught in it and how it will be taught. My mission in this project is creating a new and advanced facility where project based learning and social interaction are primary concerns, and provide a learning environment that is also a second home to reinforce students sense of identity, integrating indoor-outdoor learning areas. Design Concepts Place where people want to be: the school will continue to be the prime place for education, through it will not be the only pace for teaching and learning. Schools will be seen as places where individuals and families learn basic skills, do research, prepare presentation and learn about occupations, business, history, art and languages. The school also provides a social environment that can encourage and facilitate learning. Schools within School: a concept that deserves our attention is that schools within school fit which a larger school subdivides into three to six smaller schools, each with its own space and identity, simply its idea of a new school that consists of clusters.
Dharan School Complex
Shaping The Future of Learning
Culture Center
2005 - 2006
In this project, there were two different but related design problems, on at the urban level and the other at the building level. The major goal of this project is facilitate us as students Comprehensive-Critical understanding of design as creative act constrained by a wide spectrum of factors that range from the most generic to the most specific including social and cultural, environmental and economic, structural and technological, and aesthetic and visual aspects. My design concept based on creating an open urban courtyard and connects the residents to this public space by creating clear visual pedestrian paths. The landscape is a critical issue in my project. I provided different types of soft and hard scape in all the open spaces and walkways. The pedestrian paths include different services like shops and cafes. The center of the open courtyard, there is a large pool that provides some cool air to this area. The plaza surrounded with several cultural functions to serve the community. The project program contains Library, Theater, Craft and Art Center, Multi-Purpose Hall, and Youth Club.
Public Library
2004 - 2005
Al-Khobar citizens and particularly the many professional and cultural organization that are concerned with culture in Al-Khobar City have grouped and decided to erect “ Al-Khobar Public Library “. Depending on the needs of the community together with the resources this Library will offer different services for families, youth and children. The building together with the library’s staff, collection, programs and services, provides a vital link to the civic and educational values of the community.
Thank you!
Chicago, IL The United States of America Mobile: +1 (708) 441 - 9165 Email: sghamdi1@gmail.com
Saad alGhamdi