Salim Hilles - Architecture Portfolio
Table of Contents Selected works
Architecture Competitions Four Blox
Home to the Grjรณtagjรก Cave
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Work Experience Research & Development -
Imkan
Expo 2020 Boulevard Roundabout Pavilion Interactive Sustainability
Middle East Architecture Network
Meandering Arcades - Barjeel Art Museum A House of Art
Middle East Architecture Network
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Bachelor of Architecture Hydrate
An Architectural Connection Between Man & Water 10th Design Studio
Animation 360
Animate the In-Animate 8th Design Studio
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© Salim Hilles 2020
Salim Hilles Architect / Designer
䄀爀挀栀椀琀攀挀琀甀爀攀 ☀ 䐀攀猀椀最渀
Education 2010-2012
T.A Blakelock
Highschool Oakville, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2012-2014
Sharjah American International School Highschool Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
2014-2019
American University in Dubai Bachelor of Architecture Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2017
American University in Dubai Universidad Europa De Madrid University of Alicante Madrid, Spain Course abroad - Multiple School Collaboration
Contact
Experience
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2017-2018
Student Library Assistant American University in Dubai
Palestine | Canada
䄀 搀 漀 戀 攀 䄀 渀 椀 洀 愀Dubai, 琀 攀 United Arab Emirates
salimhilles@gmail.com
䄀 搀 漀 戀 攀 倀 爀 攀 洀 椀in攀finding 爀 攀 books and scholarly articles through the database.
Managing the library and assisting staff members & students
Aug - 2019 June - 2019
+971501140200 www.salimhilles.com 一愀洀攀 簀 匀愀氀椀洀 䠀椀氀氀攀猀
Language 䐀愀琀攀 漀昀 䈀椀爀琀栀 簀 㔀琀栀 䐀攀挀攀洀戀攀爀 㤀㤀㘀 English - Native
Arabic - Fluent
Architectural Intern
Middle East Architecture Network Dubai, United Arab Emirates Concept design, 3D building, drawings, diagrams, and rendering for six projects ranging from small to large such as product designing,furniture, pavilions, and a museum.
Oct - 2019 Apr - 2020
Design Researcher Intern - R&D Team Imkan Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
一愀琀椀漀渀愀氀椀琀礀 簀 倀愀氀攀猀琀椀渀椀愀渀 ⴀ 䌀愀渀愀搀椀愀渀 Software Skills
Research into company initiatives such as: place-making, the incorporation of food within architecture, material exploration, art strategies, and mixed used typologies.
Rhino
Collaboration with design, science, tech, and financial experts to activate the company’s developments.
Revit
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Photoshop Illustrator
Sketch Up
InDesign
3DS Max
Animate
Vray
Lumion
M. Office
Premiere
Dec - 2020 Present
㈀ Part-Time 㤀 Architect
City Space Architecture & Engineering Dubai, United Arab Emirates Concept design, 3D modeling, drawings, diagrams, and rendering for villas and small apartment buildings.
Achievements
Capabilities / Skills Conceptualizing
Team-player
Illustrating
Leadership
Sketching
Time management
Middle East Solar 䐀攀猀椀最渀 刀攀猀攀愀爀挀栀攀爀 吀爀愀椀渀攀攀 眀椀琀栀Decathlon 䤀洀欀愀渀 2016
Architecture Competition
2017伀挀琀漀戀攀爀 ㈀ 㤀 Awarded Assistant of the term ㈀㜀琀栀 ⴀ 㘀琀栀 Student 䴀愀爀挀栀 ㈀ ㈀ American University in Dubai
Physical Modeling
Organization
Awarded Student Assistant of⠀䤀渀猀琀愀最爀愀洀⤀ the term 䌀漀渀琀攀渀琀 䌀爀攀愀琀漀爀 眀椀琀栀 䀀琀栀攀猀眀椀猀栀渀攀琀眀漀爀欀
Digital Modeling
Fast learner
Visualizations 䘀甀爀渀椀琀甀爀攀 䐀攀猀椀最渀
Social
匀攀瀀琀攀洀戀攀爀 ㈀ 㤀Featured ⴀ 倀爀攀猀攀渀琀in COMPASSES + Magazine 2018
Research
Problem Solving
䄀爀挀栀椀琀攀挀琀甀爀攀 吀爀愀椀渀攀攀 眀椀琀栀 䴀椀搀搀氀攀 䔀愀猀琀 䄀爀挀栀椀琀攀挀琀甀爀攀 一攀琀眀漀爀欀 2020 BeeBreeders - Iceland Cave Tower
Urban Design
Communication
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倀爀漀搀甀挀琀 䐀攀猀椀最渀
2018
American University in Dubai
8th Studio - American University in Dubai
Architecture Competition
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Four Blox
Home to the Grjรณtagjรก Cave Program : Visitor Center & Observation Tower Project Type : Competition Result : TBD Site : Grjรณtagjรก Cave, Iceland
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BB AA
Site Plan
Architectural Approach Situated as the starting-point to access the beautiful caves of Grjótagjá, four blox uses simple architectural volumes and structural techniques to achieve a sublime yet iconic piece of architecture that can easily be recognized from a distance away as the home to Grjótagjá Cave. Balancing user-experience between architecture and the existing landscape, the design is formulated by using the various programs and arranging them in such a way that harnesses the breathtaking views of the site.
Environmental, Economic, Social The design utilizes simple construction methodologies and even simpler uses of natural materials to reduce significantly the harmful effects during the building process, and furthermore to the overall building’s performance during its lifetime. The use of natural materials also enhances user-experience by bringing them closer to nature and Iceland heritage where the use of stone was the most common building material. In 2011, Iceland has set goals for the country to be carbon neutral by the year 2042. Therefore, the design must also follow the goals and guidelines of the country and become a fully selfsufficient building. To achieve this, energy & water are supplied by using new & high-tech renewable energy systems. The mass of the wall and the building material provide a thermal buffer to smooth temperature variations, and together with a cross-ventilation approach, provides satisfactory levels of thermal comfort.
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1.BLOCK
6. CAVE VOLUME
A volume is place in front of the entrance to the cave to block people from recklessly entering the cave and allowing them to experience the visitor center first.
Access to the cave is allowed only from the lobby and passing through a short tunnel into the cave.
2. VERTICAL VOLUME
7. PARKING
Stairs climb 23m above ground level, making the visitor center viewable from a far away distance.
The existing parking lot + additional space was utilized for up to 32 vehicles to park.
3. CAFE
8. ENTRANCE
The coffee shop is hosted in a horizontal volume high above the ground level, creating a 360 degrees view of the beautiful surrounding landscape.
At the intersection of the pedestrian paths (parking and walking) a subtraction in the visitor center’s volume occurs to create a noticeable entrance.
4. PINNACLE
9. ZERO MASS SOLAR ROOF
A deck on the highest point of the visitor centers allows the best views of the volcanic rocks.
Occupied in the roof are series of Zero Mass Solar Panels, capable of both generating power from the sun, and water from humidity.
5. ANCHOR
10. LANDSCAPE
Both horizontal volumes are anchored to the core of the building, supporting the loads of the cantilevered cafe & pinnacle.
A lush green landscape livens the area and promotes biodiversity.
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Observation Deck Solar Roof Cafe Galleries Services
Visitor Center
Toilet Cave Entrance
Public Semi-Public Private
Spatial Arrangement The design takes into consideration that the building must serve the nature first so that the user-experience may flow organically with site’s unique conditions. The volumes on the ground level mediates the access into the cave, serving programs such as the lobby, reception, cave entrance, and galleries. Meanwhile the cafe and the observation deck gives the visitors 360 degrees views of the site and its surroundings.
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Legend 1 Lobby 2 Waiting Area 3 Gallery-A 4 Gallery-B 5 Video Room 6 Gallery-C 7 M.Toilet 8 F.Toilet 9 Manager’s Office 10 Electrical Room 11 Storage Room 12 Cave Entrance
Ground Floor Plan
Legend 13 Cafe
1st Floor Plan
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Section AA
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Section BB
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Front Elevation
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Right Elevation
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1st Floor - Roof Deck
Ground Floor
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Axonometric - Architecture
Steel Cage
Selected Rocks
Support Post Translucent Material Concrete Footing Existing Ground
Gabion Wall Detail Extremely economic in both the short term and the long term, the use of Gabion walls is both very easy and quick to build with no environmental impact during construction. Additionally, there is virtually the system requires virtually no maintenance during its life-span since the material used is a product of our natural world and part of our topography since Earth’s inception. The system adds a unique texture to the architecture’s surface. The penetration of light between the rocks also creates an extraordinary dramatic play in light and shadow, brightness and depth. The Dominus Winery by famous architects Herzog and de Meuron is a great example of the effects this wall-system produces in the interior space.
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IMKAN Properties LLC www.imkan.ae Supervisor: Katayoun Lazar Supervisor Email: Katayoun@imkan.ae
As a Design Research trainee in a Research & Development department at Imkan Properties, I was able to collaborate in multidisciplinary team of design, science, tech, and financial experts. I was able to gain valuable experience from the projects and initiatives we worked on, such as place-making, the incorporation of food within architecture, material exploration, art strategies within our developments, and experimental mixed-use typologies. In addition to my R&D tasks, I was also provided the opportunity to work with the development teams and gained a better understanding of the client’s perspective and thought process. I was also exposed to both design and financial considerations that goes behind creating vision documents and briefs for development projects. Please view a summary of my works on the following page. Note that i cannot provide documents of my contribution to Imkan due to confidentiality reasons.
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Place-Making Defining, organizing, & codifying all place-making parameters into categories into one individual document.
Innovative Material List & study the use of innovative architecture materials that respond to the climate & setting.
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Architecture & Food Research architectural uses, find potential partners, and designate potential uses within company projects & initiatives.
Mixed-Use Study how architects explore the idea of Mixed-use typologies to create more functional and efficient spaces.
Please note that the photos used are public material shared by IMKAN and not produced by me.
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Middle East Architecture Network www.m-e-a-n.design Supervisor: Riyad Joucka Supervisor Email: rj@m-e-a-n.design
During my three-months with MEAN (Middle East Architecture Network), i was responsible for the completion of 5 proposals, including; furniture designs, Interior design, two pavilions and a museum. My role mainly included pre-concept research, concept design, sketching, model making, 3D modeling, visualizations, diagrams, drawings and final productions.
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Expo 2020 Boulevard Roundabout Pavilion Interactive Sustainability
Program : Pavillion Project Type : Proposal for EXPO 2020 Board Site : Expo 2020, Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Team: Salim Hilles, Riyad Joucka, Wael Nasrallah, Rashid Al-Suwaidi, Ahmad Yakout Individual Contribution: Concept, 2D Drawings, 3D Modeling Site & Landscape
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Site Plan
Architectural Approach The ‘Expo 2020 Landmark’ proposal combines technology, innovation and sustainability into an iconic structure that serves as a welcoming icon to the event. Drawing inspiration from the story of the Expo 2020 Logo and the palms of the UAE, we designed an interactive installation that symbolizes the ethos of Sustainability and Innovation.
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Section AA
Front Elevation
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Section BB
Back Elevation
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Meandering Arcades A House of Art
Program : Museum Project Type : Competition Site : Al-Tarfa, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Team: Salim Hilles, Riyad Joucka, Wael Nasrallah, Rashid Al-Suwaidi, Ahmad Yakout, Amro Mansy Individual Contribution: Client Research, Artworks Research, Concept, 2D Drawings, 3D Modeling, Diagrams 38
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Architectural Approach Barjeel Art Foundation Museum is an exploration in rethinking the timeless architectural typologies in the region with a contemporary mindset. Drawing on fractal tessellations, the team designed a modular building that provides spaces for meeting, dwelling and enjoying art. Taking notes from the tools of regional space-making with a contemporary design mindset; the building is a seamless integration of exterior to interior. The project utilizes triangular modules of limestone columns that are paired to compose an arcade of arches and stacked at varying heights to indicate various functions of the museum. The massing of the interior programs designed to adhere to the structural grid at the southeast corner of the site, stacking up to screen the gas station.
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EuroVelo Cabin
home to the Grjรณtagjรก Cave Program : Cabin Project Type : Competition Site : EuroVelo road, Europe
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Hydrate
An Architectural connection between man and water Program : Water treatment plant, Reservoir, Bath/Spa, & Hotel Project Type : Studio 10 - Senior thesis Site : Hatta, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Studio: 10th Supervisor: Dr. Georges Kachaamy Supervisor Email: gkachaamy.aud.edu
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Site Plan
The United Arab Emirates faces the threat of losing all its sources to fresh and natural water due to global warming. In the recent years all of UAE’s bottled water companies (with the exception of Masafi & Jeema) source their waters through governmental desalination facilities, which according to reports, seems to increase on global warming and is largely uneconomical. Storing natural water by the use of dams has also proved more difficult to sustain due to the harsh weather conditions of the region. In 2011, Abu Dhabi’s Electrical and Water Authority (ADEWA) introduced a new technique into the region in which water is stored through “aquifers”. In this system, water is place either under the earth or in a cave inside a mountain, preventing evaporation or contamination in the air, additionally, the water is naturally cooled by the layers of earth or rock surrounding the water. The proposed design utilizes the storing methodology of ADEWA’s aquifers by merging architecture and nature. The building will realize the natural water of the site and use its unique conditions to gather water, treat it, and reserve it inside the mountain.
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Topography Analysis The site is categorized as a “Wadi�, which is a string of valleys that form a funnel for a lake to form. Often in Wadi’s,, lakes are dry except for the rainy seasons where water is gathered and rises in level. In summer when evaporation rates are high, most of the water evaporates leaving a small pond. Most rainfall in the UAE occurs in Hatta, therefore, during the winter, rainfall is so abundant that the lake formed through the Wadi is large enough to support tens of thousands of people.
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The picture shows the low water levels on a summer day
The picture shows the high water levels on a winter day
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1. CUTOUT A portion of the mountain will be cut out, creating room for the architecture to merge with the nature
2. REACHOUT The volume reaches out as a cantilevered element until it meets the deepest point of the lake so that the maximum capacity of water can be collected.
3. REACHOUT The volume is supported by structural concrete columns and transparent structural pipes that takes in water from the lake.. 58
4. CURVEOUT By curving the slab, the water falls down through gravity using a falaj system or aqueduct system, creating a gap between the path of water versus the path of human, until they unite spatially in the central water chamber
5. PUSHOUT Integrate architecture with entrance, landscape, and views
6. CROPOUT The play of mass and void to create openings for views and sunlight which interactsgracefully with the mountains 59
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Ground Floor Plan
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1st Floor Plan
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B
A
C
D
E
8
Security Office
Cleaning Equipment Room
Garbage Room Back Of House Lift
Garbage Room Electrical Room
9 Storage
Mechanical Room
1
10 Equipment Room
Auditorium 5.5 m
2 M. Staff Locker
Foyer 5.5 m
F. Staff Locker
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3
Packing Area 4.7 m
12
Back of House Delivery
4
Managing Office
5
Control Room
13
Reception 5.5 m
6 7
Parking 4.2 m
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15 Drop Off Zone 0m
Lobby 4.7 m
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Void
Retail 4.7 m
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20 Dam Level 0m
BB
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Terrace
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Crossing 5.4 m
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Lake Water Chamber & Exhibition 5.4 m
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42 Terrace 5.4 m
AA
Detailed Ground Floor Plan
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B
A
C
D
E
8 Pumping Station Storage
Garbage Room
Back Of House Lift
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1
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2
11 Offices 10.5 m
3
12
4 5
13
6 Kitchen 12 m
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17 Restaurant 10.5 m
Void To Below
18 Dam Level 0m
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BB
22 10.5 m
12 m
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Void To Below
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Cleaning Equipment
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Storage
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Void To Above
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30 Salt Water Bath
31 Herbal Bath
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Void To Below
Rose-Water Bath
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34 Washing Cell
Warm Space
Fire Bath
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Hammam 11m
Ice Bath
Washing Cell
Cold Space
36 Dry Sauna
Steam Sauna
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Hatta Lake Bath 10.5m
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40 Outdoor Bath 10.5 m
41 Terrace 12m
42 43
AA
Detailed 1st Floor Plan
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Roof
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23.2m
Offices Kitchen
Restaurant
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13.4m Offices
Electrical Room
Ground Level
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Storage
M. Staff Toilet
M. Staff Locker Room
5.4m
Filteration Basin
Underground 1
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-0.5m
Floridisation Basin
Underground 2
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-4.3m
Detailed Section - AA
C
Detailed Section - BB
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Roof
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23.2m
Bath Level
Ground Level Sedimentation Basin
D
E
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14.9m
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5.4m
Coagulation & Floccuation Basin
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3
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Living Room
2
Toilet
1
Bedroom
Bedroom
Living Room
Toilet
Bedroom
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Animation 360 Animate the In-Animate Program : Incubator Project Type : 8th Studio Site : Dubai, United Arab Emirates Team: Salim Hilles, Arta Nazari, Mohammad Shoaib Individual Contribution: Concept, 3D Modeling, 2D Drawings, Detailed Drawings, Renders Studio: 8th Supervisor: Dr. Annarita Cornaro Supervisor Email: acornaro@aud.edu
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Site Plan
Architecture Approach How should a visual communication office feel ? Should it be an enclosed space to allow artists to create with their individual creativity? or should it be an open space to allow communication and transparency. A space which connects both the inside and the outside within its typological standards of the site. Beginning by placing a box, slicing it and separating it. creating a connections between the street side, creek & the metro. Artists have their freedom to work in open spaces or intimate closed ones. The spatial settings are divided based on the attributable hierarchy of the users
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1. SITE Placing an architectural volume along the site’s boundaries.
2. CONNECTIONS Connecting accessible paths between the creek & the street & the metro station
3. CUTOUT Dissect the paths unto the volume, resulting in a series of volumes with walkable paths in between, allowing the architecture to become part of the site.
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4. CONNECTIONS Integrate an inviting connection from the creek side towards the entrance of the building.
5. ELEVATION Varying heights maximizes views for the larger volume on the street side.
6. FRAME Slabs & wall frames the architecture sort of like a theater, inspired by the program for an animation studio.
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Facade System A double skin facade allows air flow in the cavity between both layers. The outerlayer Aluminum is perforated letting the passage of light create a dramatic effect of light & shadow. This system reduces the hot sunlight to penetrate into the building, reducing the amount of energy that would’ve needed to be consumed using air-conditioning.
Aluminium Facade - POHL Cotto Perforated - Outer Layer
Curtain Wall Facade Inner Layer
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The void acts as a wind tunnel, allowing natural air to flow smoothly.
The Northern facade is fully glazed, to cross ventilate the building
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5th Floor - Admin Offices Core Toilet
Conference Rooms
Open Working Space
Closed Working Space
Roof Garden
Lounge
4th Floor - Experts Offices Core Toilet
Meeting Rooms
Open Working Space
Closed Working Space
Mechanical Services 3rd Floor - Intermediate Offices Core Toilet Lounge
Open Working Space
Closed Working Space
Mechanical Services 2nd Floor - Experts Offices Core Toilet
Open Working Space
Closed Working Space
Mechanical
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1st Floor - Leisure Core
Toilet & Showers
Gym & Game Room
Lounge Mechanical 4th Floor - Experts Offices Core Archives Storage Mechanical Ground Level Core Lobby Retail Garbage Storage Toilets
Drop Off
1st Basement Parking Core
2nd Basement Parking Core Garden
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Basement Floor Plan
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Ground Floor Plan
Typical Floor Plan
Detailed Plan - Typical Floor 83
Section AA
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Section BB
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Retail
Workshop Space
Workshop Space
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Gypsum Board
Steel Ceiling Hanger
33 Small Gravel
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42 Pile Foundation
41 Concrete Footing
40 Waterproofing Mat
39 Concrete Pavement
38 Large Gravel
37 Geotextile Membrane
36 Soil
35 Gypsum Board
34 Insulation
32 Sand 23 24
31 Concrete Pavement 22
30 Pebbles
29 Plaster Board
28 Cement
27 CMU
26 Gypsum Board
25 Steel Support Structure
24 Wood Parquet
23 200mmx50mm Support
22 Cill
21 Thermal Cavity Closer
20 Window Frame
19 Concrete Beam
18 Pot
17 Soil
16 Waterproofing Mat
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13 Cage ( Horizontal Structure )
12 Cage ( Vertical Structure )
11 Joint
10 Steel Plate
Waterproofing Membrane Concrete Slab
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Protection Course
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Root Barrier
Insulation Moisture Retention Layer
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Filter Fabric
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Soil
Plants
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FFL 13075 SSL 13075
3650
9090 Minute Fire Rated Door Rated Minute Fire
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FFL 2075 SSL 2075
2650 FFL 150 SSL 150
Ground Floor Ground
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2900 FFL -3500 SSL -3500 1
Core - Sectional Detail
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2 Hour Fire Rating Shaft
2 Hour Fire Rating Shaft 90 Minute Fire Rated Door
90 Minute Fire Rated Door
FFL 1575 SSL 1575
Basement Floor Basement
2 Hour Fire Rating Shaft Door
2 Hour Fire Rating Shaft
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FFL 11150 SSL 11150
Typical Floor Typical
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2 Hour Fire Rating Shaft
2 Hour Fire Rating Shaft 90 Minute Fire Rated Door
90 Minute Fire Rated Door
9100
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1750
3100
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1200
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FFL -1575 SSL -1575
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9100
1750
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3100
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G-27B 1200 280
1800
1000 1750 2800 5550
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FFL 2075 SSL 2075
5200
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FFL 150 SSL 150
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B-01
FFL -3500 SSL -3500
22Hour Rating Shaft HourFire Fire Rating Shaft 90 Rated Door 90Minute MinuteFire Fire Rated Door
2 2Hour FireFire Rating ShaftShaft Hour Rating 90Minute Minute Rated 90 FireFire Rated DoorDoor
915 3600
Basement Floor Basement
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3100
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9100
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21 22
1200
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FFL 13075 SSL 13075
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1750
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3100
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1200 280
1800 FFL 11150 SSL 11150
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FFL 24075 SSL 24075
5200
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22Hour Rating Shaft HourFire Fire Rating Shaft 90 Rated Door 90Minute MinuteFire Fire Rated Door
Typical Floor Typical
915 3600
21 22
1200
1
1200 280
1000 1750 2800 5550
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1000 1750 2800 5550
3600
1800
5200
FFL 22150 SSL 22150
501
1750
G-27
Ground Floor Ground
9100
5200
2 2Hour FireFire Rating ShaftShaft Hour Rating
90Minute Minute Rated 90 FireFire Rated DoorDoor
Roof Bloor Roof
915 3600
Core - Plan Detail
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The Designer In Me To me, being an architect is not only a career path but an ambition, and it is my goal to become a one of the greatest architects. What has drawn me to the world of design is my innate desire to use design, science, and technology to enhance the lives of people and the environment. Architects have a profound responsibility in the future of cities; going beyond its form, but shaping societies, cultures, and economies. Throughout my bachelors degree and my work-experience, i have always sought using design as a solution to environmental, economical, and social issues. My senior thesis tackles Dubai’s fresh water shortage crises by moving away from traditional structures such as dams, which often fail in this region due to evaporation and toxicity in the air. Instead, I proposed to use a technique called aquifer storage and recovery, which effectively stores fresh water underground where it is invulnerable to evaporation and air toxins. The proposed site, Hatta Lake, Dubai was especially essential due to the nature of the water cycles. In winter, heavy rainfall forms a lake between the valley, and in summer, hot weather conditions causes all the water to evaporate. Therefore, the architecture includes water pumps to gather the water, artificial lakes to transport it, treatment facilities to clean it, and to finally reserve it inside the mountain. Additional programs include, leisure spaces, thermal spa, and accommodation units for visitors. In my short-term at Middle East Architecture Network, our team delivered five projects overall, all of which include various program typologies such as product design,interior design, pavilion design, and finally, a museum design. With IMKAN Abu Dhabi, I was able to attain insight on working from the client’s side, which has given me an understanding their needs and expectations from architects. It has also given me the opportunity to collaborate with experts accross various fields. In addition to my education and work experience, travel has also been crucial to my overall knowledge of architecture and city design. I have visited many cities and countries all over Europe and the United States. Living in both the United Arab Emirates and Canada is also another factor that really enhanced my perspective of how design can be influenced in different cultures climate and geographies. I’ve learned a lot about the field of architecture and design, and I hope to continue learning in my life-long journey of becoming a great architect. I believe constant experimentation and innovation is vital to bring forth necessary change. I believe collaborations with men and women of various fields to find and solve problems. I believe learning and using what the past has left behind as a lesson for the present and for the future.