a c o l l e c t i o n o f d e s i g n s a n d c r e a t i v e w o r k s b y M o h a m m e d A l s i n a n

A R C H I T E C T U R E P O R T F O L I O

M a s t e r s o f A r c h i t e c t u r e S t u d e n t

T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f K a n s a s

M o h a m m e d A l s i n a n

m - s - s i n a n @ h o t m a i l . c o m

( 7 8 5 ) 4 2 4 - 4 3 1 7

L i v i n g w i t h m y e y e s & m i n d o p e n 08 | 28 | 1991

Master of Architecture | University of Kansas | May, 2018Bachelor of Architecture | University of Kansas | May, 2016

2201 Westdale Rd. Unit # B7, Lawrence, KS 66049 | m-s-sinan@hotmail.com | (785) 424-4317

KU Design Community | Fellowship

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16

Chicago Opera House• Implemented researches of all opera houses requirements through case studies• Performed in the site and program analysis stage• Collaborated in a group of 3 to come up with a schematic design• Accomplished all requirements for a completed opera house design• Executed boards layouts and designs

Advanced Design Research Facilities For KU SADP • Served on a team of 4 to design a comprehensive renovation for the school• Enable interdisciplinary working environments that promote intellectual diversity, creativity & innovation2

01

6

Marine Cultural Plaza | NYC Aquarium Competition• Researched codes / transportation / energy analysis / ethnics & races on Queens , NYC• Presented my master plan concepts of Queens, NYC through a video in order to provide a clear understanding of the site experience• Succeed on designing an aquarium through case studies and research materials to meet all competition requirements.2

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6

Water Charette | Student Design Competition • First place winner | Most sustainable design solution award• Researched sustainable design aspects based on my semester’s project• Produced creative ideas and conceptual drawings to present2

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6

Design Build Studio | Wyandotte County Commissioners • Comported with groups to serve the Kansas City community through community engagement meetings• Participated with teams in the construction of built assemblies through hands on experience• Collaborated with a group of 5 to design a visually appealing bike racks design with interactive elements2

01

5

Residential Design • Supported on a team of 3 to design and propose a new residential project• Implemented designs concepts including sustainability, and multicultural design with a limited budget• Conducted all building code research to meet sustainability and accessibility requirements2

01

5

• Participated with the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association to improve underpass spaces• Researched project site in collaboration with Wyandotte County Commissioners• Assessed community needs to develop design solutions to increased safety for neighborhood children2

01

4

Public Interest Design | Urban Design Workshop

Al-Haddad Engineering Consulting Office | Qatif, Saudi Arabia • Utilized customers services skills to ensure customer satisfaction• Built relationships with clients weekly• Promoted the firm to increase number of contracts, clients, and projects• Represented firm/company to new clients

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10

Work & Leadership Experience

KU SADP | Graduate Teaching Assistant • Built a strong relationship with students to ensure their ability to understand assignments• Taught 3D modeling programs tutorials to help students design simple design projects• Helped professors assisting students during class time• Organized weekly schedule plans throughout the semester

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KU SADP | Media Production • Represented school’s background though multiple recorded interviews with faculty• Built a strong relationship with professional faculties through out different interviews • Shared studios cultures / daily experience / school programs with publics2

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6

KU Applied English Center | Language and Cultural Liaisons • Assisted new international students to welcome them to the program• Helped students to improve their language skills through a daily conversation meetings• Created educational activities to meet students satisfaction• Introduced multi cultures to students to create a world’s experience learning session• Utilized English language to communicate with different language speakers

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16

KU International Student Services | Orientation Leader • Welcoming new international students to KU• Worked with KU staff to create activities & scheduled meetings, ensuring orientation was a success• Translated between English & Arabic for 10 - 15 students2

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2

SKILLS• Building Information Modeling • Rendering & visualization • Presentation & graphic layout • Drawing & designing architectural models & floor plans• Bilingual proficiency

Revit

Lumion

InDesign

Sketching

English

iMovie

Sketch up

Photoshop

Power Point

Physical Modeling

Arabic

Event Planning

Ecotect

Illustrator

Microsoft Word

Laser Cutting

• Social work & Organization including video-graphing• Enjoy cooperation & giving more effort to the work• Searching for the most recent procedures, methods & techniques to improve the work• Utilized conflict resolution skills resulting in strong design concepts that all group members agreed upon

M o h a m m e d A l s i n a n

C h i c a g o L y r i c O p e r a

R e s e a r c h F a c i l i t i e s

M a r i n e C u l t u r a l P l a z a | NYC Aquarium Internat ional Compet i t ion

W a t e r C h a r e t t e | Student Design Compet i t ion

D e s i g n B u i l d | Bike Racks

R e s i d e n t i a l D e s i g n

P u b l i c D e s i g n

G a l l e r i a

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Chicago Lyr ic Opera

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Team | Als inan Jensen Ahammed

ARCH 608 | Design Studio Fal l 2016 Prof . Grabow

Navy Pier | Chicago, IL

10 11

PRECEDENT

vantongerloo framed Winspear Opera House John Tower Plaza

Thinking about a symmetrical design would be the first thing that comes to mind when looking at the vantongerloo piece. Taking advantage of that, it is clear to see it through our design

As one of the strong precedents we had as a whole class, Winspear got the most attention to make us look into the idea of transparency lobby where you can see through inside/outside. The huge cantilever structural roof was something we considered in our design as well.

John’s Tower unique Plaza is something to talk about. Everyone seems to enjoy the atmosphere of the plaza that creates a playful zone around the tasty restaurants and the shops surround the tower. Applying the idea of plaza would make the Opera house more useful and would increase the economy. The more people visit the Opera, the more money we make.

PARTI | DIAGRAMS

SITE CONTEXT

SITE SECTION | SCALE 1” = 120’

12 13

UP

UP

DNDN

DN UP

UP

DN

DN

DN

DN

UP

UP UP

BoxOffice

CloakRoom

CloakRoom

BoxOffice

Offices

Office

Scene Shop

Stage Door

Rehearsal Room

Rehearsal Room

Atrium

Practice

Practice

Practice

Chorus

Chorus Chorus

Solo

Solo Solo

Bar

DN

UP

A

A

A

AB B

FLOOR PLANS

DNUP

DN

DNDN

DN

UP

DN DN

UP

Chorus & SuperLounge

Wig Shop 4 Person

Wardrobe Room

Green Room

Crew Lounge

BoothPatron Lounge

Offices

Black Box Theater

Atrium

BoothStorage

UP

UP

UP

UP

DNDN

Bar

DN

UP

DN

UP

DN

Kitchen

DNDN

FLOOR PLANS

As a team of three, we agreed on the idea of “easy plan”. To make everything easily acceccable and clear to travel through. Starting from the plaza where people could have a time to enjoy the nature and the view of Chicago skyline as well as the beautiful Navy Pier. Accessing the design from the west side to face the lobby. A main bar is located in the first level along with the lobby main level, then people can find a table of drinks in every floor they go to. In the Top level, we decided to open a signature restaurant that stands out for our design, to be called “ the restaurant above the Opera”.

N

Restaurant 3rd Balcony 2nd Balcony 1st Balcony

Plaza | Lobby | Main floor | Parapet

FLOOR PLANS

These two sections views were cut through out a particular points in the project in order to understand the circulation, floor plan, and the design. Starting from the parking, where people arrive first, to the top floor, where people ends their evening at the restaurant.

14 15

SECTIONS

UP

UP

UP

DN

Parking Level 2

UP

UP

UP

DN

DN

DN

Parking Level 1

W DD DDWWW

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

Practice Room

Practice Room

Prop Shop

CostumeShop

Mechanical Room

Orchestra Pit

InstrumentRoom

Plenum

Office

Mechanical Room

Conductor

Sub Stage

OrchestraLounge

ElectricalRepair

DN

Lower Level

ELEVATIONS

West Elevation

East Elevation

North Elevation

South Elevation

West Section

North Section

16 17

• Capacity = 1782 seats• Volume of Auditorium = 434,775 ft3

• Area of Seating = 11,700 ft3

• Proscenium Opening = 2,160 ft2

• ST = 11,700 ft3

• V/ST = 36.9• RT = 1.7 sec

AUDITORIUM

LOBBY RESTAURANT | BLACK BOX

Advanced Design Research Faci l i t ies for KU SADP

3 DEPARTMENTS | 1 SCHOOL

Team | Als inan Jensen Maddireddi Kinney

Accelerated Design I I Summer 2016 Prof . VanDeRiet

20 21

01

02

03

01 Ground FloorSecond Floor

Third Floor

02

03

COLLECTIVE ELEMENT

PROJECTION | PROFILE

PROTECTION | AESTHETIC

KEY DESIGN CRITERIA

CONNECTION REVITALIZE IDENTITYFLEXIBILITY PLACE MAKING

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS | MASTER PLAN

PARTISTHE RIBBON

OPTION I

THE RINGOPTION II

SITE CONSIDERATIONS• Paths and Entryways

• Civic spaces for assemblies | extra-curricular activities.

• Semi-open gallery spaces

• Active Landscape

22 23

THE RIBBONOPTION I

To enable interdisciplinary working environments that promote intellectual diversity, creativity and innovation.

THE RIBBONOPTION I

Exper ient ia l View A

Experient ia l View B

GALLERYLIBRARY

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THE RINGOPTION II

THE RINGOPTION II

Exper ient ia l View A

Experient ia l View B

By utilizing the school’s “sense of place,” adding to the site will develop a more inviting atmosphere for the neighborhood schools and buildings. A main bridge with students crossing the area beneath the bridge is quite open for interpretation.

GALLERYLIBRARY

27

T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F K A N S A SR I B B O N P R O J E C TF A L L 2 0 1 8

T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F K A N S A SR I N G P R O J E C TS P R I N G 2 0 1 9

Marine Cultural Plaza | NYC Aquarium Compet i t ion

Queens, NYC

Archi tectural Design IV Spr ing 2016 Prof . Sanguint t ie & Cast i l lo

30 31

MASTER PLAN | SITE CONSIDERATIONS

The design of the park in the project is really interesting, as it connects the site and the aquarium to everything surrounded it, in which it creates a socializing zone as well as a pick-up/drop-off destination and that would eventually make the transportation systems work in such a safety/healthy way. Altho, with a consideration of flooding issues especially if it’s a water front site

The Marine Cultural Plaza’s design concept is based on the history of Alhambra Spain palaces; in which each palace represents a unique symbolic aspect that speaks for itself. Alhambra, as one of the famous palaces in Spain, was considered to be a major reflection and concept on this project.

Focusing on courtyards of Alhambra palaces, the fountains and water streams/ponds play a major role of how courtyards are placed and surrounded by nature. It makes it clear to understand the layout from just looking at the floor plan of the palace.

RELATED PRECEDENT EARLY DESIGN CONCEPTSALHAMBRA - PALACE IN SPAIN

. LEADING PATHS

. CULTURAL ASPECTS

. COMMUNITY

. TRANSITION SPACES

. CONTINUITY

32 33

DESIGN PROCESS

With consideration of to the courtyards, the design was applied to the Marine Cultural plaza. Putting together the aquarium and the design from the courtyards resulted in creating a combination of modern and medieval architecture.

The user can experience the space walking through a small courtyard that is inside eachcircle. Which enables each user to rest and relax between each journey inside the exhibit and learn more about the Marine design, as they will be provided with informative panels inside the courtyard.

The users of the design will also enjoy being six foot above ground level. They will be in aperfect spot where they can view the skyline of Manhattan since a flat floor with supportive columns is holding the whole building

This main flat floor creates a circulation path between the design and the ponds, and connects to the ground staircase that will be added in different areas according to accessibility entrances and exits.

The Marine Cultural Plaza is composed of four connected circles, and each one has its own purpose and use, but overall, they all cover the aquarium space

Main LobbyExhibitAdministrative/Academic

Research

Exhibit

ExhibitGift Shop Restaurant

Public

Buffer

Buffer

Private

N

Serv

ice

acce

ss

Circulation Path

Floor Plan Site Plan

SITE DESIGN | PLAZA

34 35

AXONOMATRIC DETAILS AND SECTION

South Section

WALL SECTION

ROOF

EXTERIOR SKIN

INTERIOR WALLS

STRUCTURAL COLUMNS

MAIL FLOORSEXTERIOR PONDS

RAISED FLOOR

ACCESSABLE STAIRS

SUPPORTIVE COLUMNS

36 37

ROOF STRUCTURE EXPERIMENTAL SCENES

Designing these four connected circlessurrounded by water ponds and varying gardens is necessary to understand the idea of leading paths, community, transition spaces, and continuity. Additionally, in order to understand the idea of cultural aspects, each pond that surrounds the buildingrepresents a different cultural background.With each garden space, the plants are applied by presenting a certain type of tree that relates to each culture.

The roof of the building plays a huge role as a part of the design. It is designed in a curved wavy shape that represents the undersea life. It is made of metal, steel and glass in a rhomboid pattern to cover the connected circles and parts of the ponds. The use of materiality of the roof is used to reflect the water that moves on the top of roof as a way to mimic the waves, to give the user the experience of walking under water.

EXHIBIT

EXTERIOR POND LOBBY | facing south

38 39

Water Charet te | Student Design Compet i t ionSpring 2016

Team | Als inan . Lee . Elkhateeb . Har ington

42 43

SITE PLAN | QUEENS, NYC SITE ANALYSIS | SOLAR STUDIES

WATER

WINTER SUMMER

• Greywater : gently used water from sinks and drinking fixtures.

• Blackwater : water used for human waste.• Potable : drinking water

* Blackwater is sent to spetic type system and waste slowly decomposes over time.

Pipes and drainage system to collect rain and snow. This is collected and sent to the greywater reservoir underground.

FOOD | GROW STREETS * Granded right of wayDRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

• Edible Parks 1. Public landscapes that subsitute ornamental

landscape for edible landscapes.

• Hydroponics

• Food from the Garden : 1. farmers market

2. produce for restaurants

3. organic foods

4. food for the community

ENERGY

44 45

Design Bui ld | Bike RacksArchi tectural Design IV Fal l 2015 Prof . Gore

Levee Trail , Kansas City

Team | Als inan . Lee . Tackes . Elkhateeb . Bosecker

48 49

It is important to have those using the Levee Trail to feel as though they had an experience. With that, it seemed clear that having signage reminding people of what they had done on the trail was necessary. Bikes, seating, natural, and a friendly farewall was the signage my team and I found as a nice gesture and a reminder to come back soon.

By utilizing the trailhead’s own “sense of place,” adding to the site will develop a more inviting atmosphere for the neighborhood surrounding the trail. A main bridge with cars crossing overhead, the area beneath the bridge is quite open for interpretation. With that in mind, we found it important to begin our ideas at a functional level and add aesthetics as we moved along in the process.

SITE

CONCEPT

PRECEDENTS

DESIGN | IDEAS

AESTHETICS : - • Utilizing simple geometric shapes to create a “new

shape.”• Connecting the concept of color to our peers’ designs

to create a cohesive design• Defining the perspective by walking around the bike

rack yet defining it again by looking straight at it

SENSE OF DEPTH : - • By looking at the world through “your own perspective,”

the Kansas City, Kansas community now has its own “functional perspective.”

• Distance and measurements are important when looking at a shape--understanding how far each shape needed to be from each other to create the image of a bike.

RECREATIONAL IMPORTANCE : - • Motivating others to use the bike rack

when riding their bike• Attracting those normally involved in

recreation by adding something unique to the trailhead

50 51

Understanding what kind of impression was needed in order to represent the shapes designed to make a perspective of an image; height, width, depth, and position were all considered in our design.

When being viewed from a particular spot, each shape had its own specifications in relation to its measurements. Due to the illusion of a bike being seen from that particular spot, the shapes had to be designed at larger measurements as they were positioned further away from us.

ISSUE<IssueDate>

DRAWN BYNH | MB

CLIENT<ClientName><ClientAddress>

PROJECT<ProjectName>

<CompanyName><CompanyAddress>

RE-ISSUE<ReIssueDate>

ASSOCIATE 1<Associate1Name><Associate1Address>

ASSOCIATE 2<Associate2Name><Associate2Address>

DESCRIPTIONSheet Description

ARCH: 509ARMOURDALE LEVEE TRAIL

CONSTRUCTION

MEASUREMENTS

Anchor Bolt

Leveling Nut2’ Concrete Foundation

Flat Washer

Steel Base Plate 8’ x 8’

Lock Washer

PERSPECTIVE VIEWS

52 53

Resident ia l DesignAccelerated Design I Summer 2015 Prof . Sanguint t ie & Si lva

Lawrence , Kansas

Team | Als inan . Wenhan . Shiqi

54 55

Through understanding what it means to be part of a multicultural family, the client was a major inspiration throughout the design process.Working in groups of three, my partners and I found it necessary to relate to our clients and what it meant for them to live in a house they felt was designed to their needs.As we discussed the various aspects of multicultural and sustainable design, my group and I resolute to the idea that smart design means accessible design. With that in mind, each approach unfolded and our collaborative ideas developed into a home for our client and his family.

Publ ic

Buffer

Pr ivateAccessibi l i ty

Circulat ion

Mult icul tural

Mult i -generat ion

56

UP

DN

Working with my peers for the majority of the semester, I was then given the opportunity to take our design and make it my own. Gathering the aspects in which my group and I discussed throughout our design process, accessibility became a major factor in my own design. As a multi-generational family, the client felt it was important to make his home easily accessible for his disabled father.

58 59

Publ ic DesignSustainable Design Workshop Fal l 2014 Prof . Kl ienmann

Team | Als inan . Lee . Hundlet . Fal ley

Argentine , Kansas City

62 63

To give the pedestrians more safety, we provided a plexiglass wall as a buffer between the walk ways and the cars. To bring the scale of the underpass down to human size, we designed the wall to be four feet tall. This will also bring the drivers attention to the level of the students without blocking their view.

In order to make this space a safe walk for the students, there should be a school zone sign with a f lashing l ight. I t would only operate dur ing the hours in which the students are walk ing to and from school . This is an easy and ef fect ive way to warn the t raf f ic of the area that there are school k ids in the area.

To make the plexiglass wall more noticeable, we added LED lights to the bottom of the wall. The lights on the ground will bring attention to the height of an average student. This will give drivers more awareness of students and overall provide more safety.

The exist ing sidewalk is two feet wide, which is not very much room. In order to provide more space, we suggest extending the sidewalk to f ive feet wide. Also we added a “boardwalk” walk way behind the columns. This gives a more playful feel to the space as wel l as seat ing that was not previously present.

Underpass: On Ruby Ave.

Main Purpose: Middle school and neighborhood connector, on and of f ramp from Highway

Mission Statement: As a team, to provide a safe and invi t ing passage for school students and other residents.

SITE CONSTRUCTION MEASUREMENTS

SITE CONSIDERATION

DESIGN | IDEAS

64 65

Light ing the space wi l l be a key safety feature. Depending on the weather or the t ime of year, the exist ing space is very dark and uninvi t ing. By adding simple l ights to the top of the columns, i t wi l l provide a safe and l i t walkway for students.

Gal ler ia Art Speaks . . LOUDER Than Words

68 69

A free hand drawing of an old tree around campus is always a relief. To understand the structure and the shape of a tree, we have to engage in the beauty of its leaves and its wonderful textures and details.

To understand the concept of perspective drawings , it is not about the two points that made this drawing a perspective; but It is about having a floor plan view and connecting the lines to come up with a perspective of cubes that are set in a different heights and attached together.

Documentation was an important aspect in the Design Build process along the Kansas City, Kansas Levee Trail. With the Wyandotte County sitting along the Kansas River, we understood that the people of the county were our main clients. With that, their opinions matter.

By developing videos which portrayed what a new trail would mean to the commu-nity, one of my main focuses during class was to consistently update factors of the community and the trail through networking, designing, and public relations.

During my trip to Chicago with KU, I enjoyed my time spent meeting with famous architecture firms, as well as enjoy thinking about how these benches were designed and built.

It is clear that the way these benches are designed and built gives more people the opportunity to sit than a reg-ular bench would.

I find it interesting how architecture has always been involved in my every day life. In the surrounding envi-ronment, it often speaks to me how architecture should be appreciated with an artistic perspective in mind.

This photo was taken during my trip to NYC on 5th Ave.As I walked across the street, I immediately saw this cathedral. Inspiring me in various ways, the layers as well as textures are a large part of who I want to be as an architect.

Finding an escape from my every day responsibilities, art has always been an outlet for me to express myself. Through drawing and photography, I am given the opportunity to express who I am as a designer as well as a practicing artist. With that, I am able to find my muse through architecture and nature.

T h a n k Y o u !

Mohammed Saeed Als inan

@moalsinan

https: / /www.l inkedin.com/in/moalsinan