ara l-saheb

Contents

Title page

Resume 02

Sample of Work

Hotel Furnished Apartments 04 Streetscape, Hotel, Al Najma, Doha, Qatar (300 m2)

16 Villa Compound 08 Residential compound, Izghawa, Doha, Qatar (4290 m2)

VIP Villa 14 High-end residential, Dafna, Doha, Qatar, (70,000 m2)

Critical Mass 18 Quarry Rehabilitation, Puslinch, Ontario, Canada

St. Patrick’s Ward 22 Urban design redevelopment, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

InDust 26 Post-industrial landscape re-use, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Doha Borrowed City 30 Urban research workshop, Tasmeen 2013, Doha, Qatar

2011 Bachelor of Landscape Architecture University of Guelph Ontario, Canada

2008 & 2010 Dean’s Honour List

2008 Member of Landscape Architecture Student Society Ontario Agricultural College

To contribute and apply my knowledge and skills in a rewarding workplace, while learning and gaining experience in a variety of fields, to ultimately be an instrumental part of their success.

2012-Current TK Engineering Consultants Doha, Qatar Landscape Architect - Collected and analysed data pertaining to projects - Coordinated with departments on designs, and worked in teams to solve various issues - Designed a variety of landscape projects conceptually, and created digital models - Produced digital and hand renderings of supporting design images - Presented designs to firm management and clients - Produced construction drawings of various designs - Assisted in time management of the landscape department - Created a database of landscape knowledge and various software materials

2011-2012 RAD (Russell and Associates Design) Doha, Qatar Junior Landscape Architect - Assisted in conceptual and detailed design - Rendered and designed proposals and presentations - Drafted construction documents - Assisted in the procurement process - Coordinated with contracting/ construction team. - Monitored construction progress and methodology

2009 GHD Global Pty Ltd Doha, Qatar Landscape Architecture Intern - Graphic designed using the Adobe Suite - Drafted detailed landscape drawings - Handled paperwork

Education

Objective

Work Experience

Sara Al-Saheb Doha, Qatar

E: saraalsaheb@gmail.com

T: +974 6624 9741

02

Doha, Qatar saraalsaheb@gmail.com +974 6624 9741

2013 Participated in Doha Borrowed City An investigation of the use of public space for private benefit in Doha Tasmeem Workshop Qatar Foundation (VCU) Doha, Qatar

Ongoing Attendee of Doha Architecture Forum (DAF) talks

Dec, 2010 Interviewed by Guelph Mercury for the redevelopment of C. W. Woods factory, an industrial complex to be incorporated into Guelph’s Downtown. http://www.guelphmercury.com/print/article/311393

2010 Thesis on the necessity for ruins in distinguishing landscapes and place making, and adaptive reuse.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills• Ability to read, write, and speak in English and Arabic • Experienced at presenting and public speaking• Skilled at producing graphics, drawings, and models using: - Adobe Suite - Auto Cad - Sketch up - Hand graphics• Familiar with Arabian Peninsula plants• Proficient in using Microsoft Office• Capable of conducting research and field analysis using: - ArcGIS - Field observation and literature

Workshops and Activities

Skills and Qualifications

Hotel Furnished Apartments

The Site’s commercial setting and proximity to new projects along Al Matar Street and the Doha International airport present an opportunity for urban renewal in Al Najma area. The proposed building facilities will include cafés, restaurants and lobbies to serve residents and visitors creating a social gathering hub.

In response to the pedestrian, visual, and facility requirements, the proposed design sought to create a visual separation from the street with minimum disruption of pedestrian flow, and seating for restaurant and café goers. The plot limit was outlined by a series of slender planting pots enhancing the view into and out of the site while allowing for pedestrian traffic. A patio was added to provide alternative seating area by extending the lobby outwards. The chosen paving patterns reflects both the building architecture and pedestrian movement to gradually transition between public and private spaces.

Analysis Map

04

Concept Site Plan

The overall design aimed at refining the surrounding spaces through modern, simple, and low maintenance elements in response to user and client preferences. The concept of the landscape design is a contemporary interpretation of the building and surrounding new development achieved through simple and graphic elements, aiming for ease of use and maintenance. The building atrium is to house a cascading water feature highlighted by light during the day and spot lights during the night. The patio green wall is a visual and acoustic buffer of the car ramp. Palm trees accentuate the street corner and the main entrance and provide much needed shade. The entrances of the building are emphasized by long slender planters. The slender border planters and paving pattern are the main elements of design. The planters visually separate the site and create an indoor oasis, without compromising pedestrian traffic. The graphic paving pattern can easily be constructed by a variety of materials in the market. It distinguishes the site with in Doha and gives it a street identity. The paving reflects the building’s ground floor facade and the continuity of the walking experience.

06

16 Villa Compound

The generous plot size of the project allowed for a collaboration between the architecture and the landscape architecture departments, facilitated towards enhancing community living in compounds. Villa layout maximizes shared communal spaces throughout the site. Residents of the sixteen villas will share one building and four outdoor areas; the club house, kids playground, two sitting areas, and an open grass area.

Concept Site Plan

A

C

D

08

To visually define spaces as shared or private, two different forms were to represent the two types of space. The formal backyards reflected the vernacular forms of the villas, while sculptural and diagonal forms defined the shared space. The sculptural and irregular form of the Plumaria contrasted the facade of the villa. Linear planting in backyards paralleled the faces of the villas. The irregularity of the shared spaces is gradual to represent the different age group of intended use. Area’s A and B are to be used by minors, and are full of visually simulating forms and colours. Areas C and the grass space for adults and are of a subdued design. The central road is to be paved and segmented by speed bumps to insure the safety of adults and kids while moving between their private and shared spaces.

B

D

Wooden Swing Set

Picnic Area under Shade Tree

Fruit Tree Orchard

10

The two major seating areas offer various shade opportunities, along with dense trees around borders. The comfortable microclimate welcomes residents throughout the year. The Area (to the left) combines elements of child play which could appeal to an older age group than the play ground, While the paved sitting area accommodates group activities and movable seating.

Sitting Areas

Jumping Stones

Receded Play Area

Built-in Benches

Sand Box

12

The playground included a sunken terraced rubber area with play equipment, sand box, and custom designed jumping stones. Elements of adventure’s playground were incorporated to allow for formal and informal play and accommodate a variety of age groups and abilities. Trees were used to provide the much needed shade. They also serve as a educational medium allowing for close interaction.

Playground

VIP Villa

Driven by the architectural style and client preferences, the design of the estate is an interpretation of the Islamic and french garden with the addition of modern facilities. The site is to accommodate the residents of the palace and their many visitors with areas dedicated to sport, outdoor dining and entertainment, and leisure. Movement through out the site is geared to both vehicle and pedestrian flows or maximum safety and comfort.

Similar to the french formal gardens the site layout is symmetrical from a central axis delineating the male and female quarters of the garden. The edges are heavily planted with trees and shrubs to create a visual forest around the main gardens. The area from the main entrance to the palace is generally flat for ease of vehicle use, while the back is a terraced garden designed for a dominant pedestrian access. The elements chosen from the Islamic garden were Islamic geometric patterns from the region, fruit orchard, and water and shade. The geometric patterns are used for hedging, grass edging, small water features shapes, and paving. Shade is provided on site by large trees and a central walk through pergola.

14

To differentiate the programs and the site as a whole in Qatar, the design opted for custom detailed interventions. Universal accessibility was key to creating ramps which fit seemlessly into the surrounding landscape elements and became a design feature. The planting in the female sector is more colour full than the male sector, while the planting at the back edge of the site is mainly native to the region. Custom design played a major role is creating this unique garden, with custom shade structures, paving , furniture, and water feature edging.

16

Critical Mass

The aim of the project was to address the environmental degradation caused by extraction of raw resources in quarries. The rehabilitation and extraction processes were concurrently phased to promote maximum ecological regeneration during the removal of gravel in Puslinch . The analysis looked at the location of the site within the greater ecosystem and the even greater ecoregion through isolating the different ecological connections (ex. forrest patches, water sheds, wetlands, quarries) to the surrounding area.

Wetland|SymphonyMeadow|Expanse

18

Wetland|Symphony Pond|Reflection Forest|Canopy

The final plan included the introduction of several ecotones found across Ontario (wetland, pond, meadow, forest) to support a variety of flora and fauna and a boardwalk for minimal human exploration. The boardwalk was designed to reflect its surrounding ecotone and visually manifest the changing human experience while wondering through the site.

The vertical layering beneath the surface was analysed and incorporated into the design solution. Thorough the phasing of extraction, fill, and reintroduction, the post-excavation elevation of site was altered through the deposit of inert C&D materials to achieve the required ground elevation and minimize the area of exposed ground water. The exposed water provided the opportunity to introduce aquatic life, which was supported by the surrounding wetlands and engineered floating wetlands.

Vegetation

Water

Topsoil

Overburden

C&D material

Gravel

Extraction

Fill

Re-introduction

20

St. Patrick’s Ward

N

10 200 m100500

* Public art

Public space

Semi-public space

Public/civic building

**********

*****************

**

**

***

PUBLIC REALM PLAN

Studio lofts

Mixed density townhouses

Low-rise residential apartments

Live-work townhouses

Institutional building

Adaptable frontage

Mixed use medium density rowhouses

Community space

Open space

Community gardens

10 200 m100500

N

To encourage public interaction with the landscape, the character of the ward was defined by avoiding strict divisions between commercial, and residential areas, and private and public spaces. The plan creates pockets for individual expression such as public art installations and tasteful murals and street art in neighbouring backyards, public libraries, urban squares and barren walls and spaces. The mobility plan looked at streets as linear public spaces which can enhance the public realm. The proposed street network improved vehicular, cyclist, transit, and pedestrian mobility and access to the Ward neighbourhood through various street configurations to slow traffic where needed. The overall network is irregular in form to conform with the existing unique street pattern in the ward, and create a distinct built form.

LAND USE PLAN PUBLIC REALM PLAN

The proposed secondary plan provided an alternative high density development, and created unique public and semi public spaces with the opportunity for residents to shape their surrounding environment, while acknowledging st. Patrick’s ward rich industrial history, as an addition to guelph’s downtown.

22

N

10 200 m100500

* Public art

Public space

Semi-public space

Public/civic building

**********

*****************

**

**

***

PUBLIC REALM PLAN

N

10 200 m100500

* Public art

Public space

Semi-public space

Public/civic building

**********

*****************

**

**

***

PUBLIC REALM PLAN

PUBLIC REALM PLANN

Surface parking

Parking garage

Secondary streetPrimary street

Shared street

TrailRailway

Future secondary street

Future trail

Laneway

Underground parking

Transit hub

Pedestrian path

Pedestrian bridge

PG

P

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

P

UP

PG

10 200 m100500

MOBILITY PLAN

N

Surface parking

Parking garage

Secondary streetPrimary street

Shared street

TrailRailway

Future secondary street

Future trail

Laneway

Underground parking

Transit hub

Pedestrian path

Pedestrian bridge

PG

P

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

P

UP

PG

10 200 m100500

MOBILITY PLANN

Surface parking

Parking garage

Secondary streetPrimary street

Shared street

TrailRailway

Future secondary street

Future trail

Laneway

Underground parking

Transit hub

Pedestrian path

Pedestrian bridge

PG

P

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

P

UP

PG

10 200 m100500

MOBILITY PLAN

MOBILITY PLAN

Heritage Reuse CommunityCentre

Transit Hub

As an extension of Guelph’s downtown, the ward’s waterfront will accommodate a variety of mixed commercial and residential buildings to attract visitors. The plan also provide the residents with a smaller commercial hub. The development of the plan was based on participatory design, where the public expressed a strong rejection towards high rise development. As a response to public concerns, the maxim building height in the ward is 7 floors, represented in lighter shades, and is buffered by lower rise building facing the existing residents.

The completed plan was presented to the public and covered by Guelph Mercury. “I think it will definitely be a new hub in downtown — the Brooklyn of Guelph,” Al-Saheb concluded.

http://www.guelphmercury.com/print/article/311393

24

Public Library

Neighbourhood Commercial Centre

InDust

INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE BUILDINGS GREENPOINT TERMINAL MARKET

The project is three fold, including an adaptive reuse planning exercise, a permanent art installation, and an adventure playground, all within an abandon industrial site. The green point terminal market in Brooklyn was a rope factory which is currently neglected. Exploring the potential of this site, provided a plan which can be applied along Brooklyn industrial waterfront.

26

ADAPTIVE REUSE SCHEME

Currently most adaptive reuse development turn industrial buildings into unproductive office and living spaces, which do not address the problem of deindustrialisation. The site was used to demonstrate the opportunity to renovate the buildings to accommodate different machinery to process locally produced goods. The roof tops and vacant lots have the potential to be integral green spaces which can accommodate urban agriculture.

The buildings offer a glimpse at past landscapes and offer the potential for artistic interpretation of its role in the present and the future. The aesthetic of decay and ruins has been documented through the ages.

ADVENTURE PLAyGROUND

28

The art installation is inspired by the wave of urban exploration and decay documented in movies and photography. The building would be altered to highlight the interest in urban decay and the necessity for ruins through the installation of a glass prism around the stair case. The building would deteriorate and the prism would stand as a monument of its past. The added plants would play a roll in this process as they would be installed in 2 inch deep cracks that would increase in area with height.

Kids are crucial to developing a generation conscious of global and local issues. The location of this adventure playground is educational and inspirational. By reusing materials readily found around the site, the children can create their playing space while interacting with their surrounding. The playground would begin with a storage shed and meeting place made of shipping containers, a wooden skid mountain, and rope jungle gym. Creating memorable spaces encourages kids to care for their surroundings.

GLASS PRISM

Doha Borrowed City

The aim of the workshop was studying and documenting the way people use Public Space for Private Benefits in Qatar, and mapping, using drawings and videos, the most interesting examples. Through an explorative Urban Safari, the team moved around the city in search of the most interesting cases of ‘borrowed spaces’, examining and chronicling through the conceptual lens of ‘borrowed city’. In the second phase, participants brainstormed to develop both potential educational programs and practical urban applications.

30

Sara Al-Saheb (BLA)Landscape ArchitectDoha, QatarEmail: saraalsaheb@gmail.comTel: +974 6624 9741