Omar Mahdy Portfolio I MA. Sustainable Architecture and Landscape Design - Politecnico di Milano
Architecture Portfolio
MA. Sustainable Architecture and Landscape Design BA. Architectural Engineering omar mahdy portfolio.
BIO My name is Omar Ahmed Shazly, a 27 years old architect born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. After receiving my bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering with honours and working as an architect in Egypt for one year, I joined Politecnico di Milano as a master’s student in Sustainable architecture and Landscape design in September 2020. During my master’s, I was chosen among other 10 students from Politecnico di Milano to join the Alliance4tech exchange program and do two exchange semesters abroad; the first one was at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, and the second was at Technische Universität Berlin. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to take part in six workshops and do two internships in different places in Europe. Currently, I am doing an internship in Rotterdam while working on my final thesis, and I am expected to finish both of them and earn my master’s degree by next May 2023. And so, having the opportunity to study and work in 4 different countries in Europe in less than three years gave me the ability to adapt myself to any work or learning environment, work with many people with different backgrounds, and be open to new cultural ideas.
CONTENTS 00. Curriculum Vitae 01. Multi-aged Micro Town 02. A City Within a City 03. Weaving Piacenza’s Territory 04. The Green Campus 05. The Vertical Hub 06. Secondary School Project 07. SISLA House Maquette
OMAR AHMED SHAZLY MAHDY CONTACT E-mail: omarshazly703@gmail.com Phone: +39 3209179777 Residency: F, Sportlaan, 3062 PA Rotterdam Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/oshazlyy EDUCATION 09/2020 - 05/2023 Politecnico Di Milano, Italy Master of Science in Sustainable Arhcitecture & Landscape Design 03/2022 - 09/2022 Technische Universität Berlin, Germany Erasmus student 09/2021 - 02/2022 Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain Erasmus student 09/2021 - 09/2022 Alliance4Tech International mobility Erasmus program Less than 10 students from each partner university are selected for the Alliance4Tech joint program, which offers the opportunity for them to study for their Master’s in 3 renowned European institutions: Technische Universität Berlin, Politecnico di Milano and Universidad Politécnica Madrid. The students should spend one semester in each institution to experience up to 3 countries in the core of Europe 09/2015 - 07/2019 Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt Bachelor of Architectural Engineering Grade: Very Good with honor degree I Ranked 3rd PROFESSSIONAL EXPERIENCE 12/2022 - Present Kraaijvanger Architects, Rotterdam Intern - Competition team Concept development / Prepare deliverables (CAD drawings, project analysis and diagrams) / 3D modeling using Revit and Rhino 01/2022 - 03/2022 OOIIO Arquitectura, Madrid Intern Model making / Prepare CAD drawings and renderings for different types of residential projects 02/2020 - 09/2020 Arkan Consultants, Cairo Junior Architect Preparing construction documents for mixed-used and residential projects / assists in developing and coordinating development of detailed working drawings and specifications / coordinates with other disciplines 10/2020 - 02/2020 Archrete Design Studio, Cairo Junior Design Architect Developing architectural schematic design concept drawings for res- idential & commercial projects / Preparing construction documents for residential and commercial projects 01/2022 - 03/2022 Engineering Consultants Group, Cairo Intern - Designing Healthcare facilities Project: Designing a 100 beds General Hospital Achievements: Best member award
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE 06/2022 - 06/2022 Psycho-Architectural approach to Urban design Summer School, Nantes Université, France 10/2021 - 11/2021 Smart Cities and Smart City Hackathon Winter school, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany 08/2021 - 09/2021 Towards a more just, green and healthy future (LOL) International Summer School, Politecnico di Milano, Italy 07/2021 - 07/2021 Experience in a Post- Pandemic Neighbourhood Summer School, Politecnico di Milano and ILAUD, Italy 06/2021 - 06/2021 Computational Design for Additive Manufacturing Summer School, TU Delft, Netherlands 06/2021 - 06/2021 Study and enhancement of Castello dell’Acqua Summer School, University of Bergamo, Italy 04/2019 - 04/2019 Smart building technology Workshop, Modern Science and Arts University, Egypt SKILLS SOFTWARE LANGUAGES OTHER Revit Arabic: Mother tounge Freehand sketching Rhino English: Fluent Model making AutoCad Italian: A2 Photography Illustrator German: A1 Photoshop CC Spanish: Basic InDesign Twinmotion MS Office REFERENCES David Hess Partner Architect at Kraaijvanger Architects Email: DavidHess@kraaijvanger.nl Joaquín Millán Villamuelas Director / Founder of OOIIO Arquitectura Email: jmillan@ooiio.com Sonia De Gregorio Hurtado Associate Professor at Universidad Politénica de Madrid Email: sonia.degregorio@upm.es Karin Elke Hofert Feix Associate Professor at Politechnical University of Catalunya / visiting Professor at Politecnico di Milano Email: karin.hofert@upc.edu, karinelke.hofert@polimi.it
Multi-aged Micro Town Type: Academic Group Year: 2020 Location: Barcelona, Spain Software used: Revit I Sketchup I Photoshop I Illustrator The design studio project challenge is to design “A Multi Aged & Sustainable Micro-Town”, where inhabitants of all ages will dwell in this neighbourhood. The site is located in the Horta Region northern part of Barcelona, where the city meets the mountains. It resides between a university on the west, an existing neighbourhood on the north, and a highway on the south, which creates various challenges to the design project. The project is an attempt on the contribution of solving mental health issues which are surprisingly prevalent in the elderly of Barcelona. By conceptualizing the term creativity as our central design point, we socially-physically connect the elderly and the youth in creative activities to form a mutual symbiosis, hence improving their well-being. Creative plaza as the centre with Axes running through the site are the baselines. we carefully lay out the functions of public buildings. The residences are scattered behind the general functions to increase the reciprocity between the residents and the public without harming nature too much. Also, social functions are proliferated within the residences to create a lively, healthy, and creative atmosphere.
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3D Axonometric view
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Main Site Circulation Central Point The site has an existing creek running through which splits the site into The rather perpendicular link between the university and the two halves. To enhance the connectivity within the site, a creative axis neighbourhood creates a meeting point in the centre of the site, which is introduced perpendicularly to the creek which introduces an axis to conveniently has a relatively flat topography, making it an ideal space connect the site to the nearby surroundings. The point of juncture of the to design a central plaza. creek and the creative axis is established into a plaza to nurture and amplify creativity among the residents. Module complexity Different module types are designed which increases the degree of complexity of the design, while also differs one module function to another. 10x10 Module The 10x10 module functions mainly as a public building module, as well as art studios on the ground floor of the housing area. 5x10, L Module The 5x10 and L modules are the main typology of the housing and residentials, providing a comfortable living space Circulation Module 5x5 vertical circulation modules were carefully calculated to include standard U-stairs with an elevator in the center. Pocket Garden Module 5x5 pocket gardens are introduced within the buildings as social spaces for its inhabitants, as well to insert natural air. Long Module Long modules are used mainly as a social space such as kitchen and dining, as well as some of the residentials.
Residentials and Housings Public Functions The housing and residentials are aligned where the concept of The public buildings are aligned along the creative axis in order to design for all is emphasized considering social, cultural, creative, facilitate public functions to the residents as well as to the people environmental and safety aspects. The location of the precedent from outside in a creative way. As the main circulation is formed, public buildings enhances interaction not only within the site but also with buildings are designed as an encircling envelope of the public the surroundings, thus creating a massive friendly environment. spaces, organically configuring and moulding their shape. Module Placement Modular system The modules are placed carefully to avoid existing trees. Although it is not possible to preserve every single tree, our configuration manages to preserve 75% trees of the site. Also, the modules are placed in such a way that minimum topography is harmed. The placements of the modules manages to only altering 18% of the total site topography. Easy growth Tree friendly Flexible social spaces Extension flexibilty
15 14 13 17 16 12 19 18 2 3 10 20 5 11 1 20 7 4 6 8 8 9 8 8
21 Master Plan 22 Ground Floor Plan 1. Parking area 2. Housing 3. Housing Innercourt 4. digilib 5. Fablab 6. Nursery 7. Kindergarten 8. Residentials 9. Residential Innercourt 10. Main Central Plaza 11. Central Stage 12. book reading area 13. Spiritual-Yoga area 14. Meditation area 15. Meditation forest 16. Nature walk 17. Civic Library 18. Neighborhood Center 19. Bazaar 20. Residence 21. Housing 22. Natural forest
Design strategies Natural Forests Light Tubes Parts of the site where greeneries are lush (north In darker areas of a residential/ housing building, it and south) are preserved as it is. Smaller walking is neccessary to introduce natural lighting system. paths are designed along the trees to create a By injecting light tubes, which are light wells as an comfortable walking path for the elderlies and the atrium to insert natural lighting as well as natural inhabitants. ventilation. Sensory Perception Wayfinding Flower beds with different colors and smell are Different colored and different materials introduced on some places, creating a sensory lightweight modules provides ease to elderlies with garden which also improves the mental wellbeing dementia to find their way from their houses to a of the inhibitants. certain place in the neighborhood.
Public Spaces Pocket Gardens The public spaces of this design consisted of the Pocket gardents provide small social pockets main central plaza, along with other thematic for neighboring residents, giving a flexibility of plazas encapsulated by the Fab-lab, nursery, activities based on the inhibitants need such neighborhood center, and civic library. Reading as urban agriculture, flower nursery, tea tables, spaces, spiritual spaces, and performance spaces etc, creating a dynamic facade. are also introduced in the design. Shade Inner Courtyards To reduce walking distances between one place Inner courtyards enables the residents to another, various shaded resting places are within a building to create their own encapsulated introduced where neccessary. This social space protected by the heat, maximizing its ensures that eldely people could thermal comfort. walk far distances by having rests.
Concept development diagram of the housing and residential buildings 3D Exploded plans of the housing, residential and mixed-use buildings
3D Exploded plans of the housing, residential and mixed-use buildings
3D view of the housing units
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Library and Central Hub 3D Exploded view Library and Central Hub Kindergarten and Fab-lab 3D exploded view Kindergarten and Fab-lab
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Physical model
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A City within a City Type: Academic Group Year: 2022 Location: Berlin, Germany Software used: Revit I Photoshop I Illustrator The design studio is based on the idea of “City within a City” concept. The challenge was how can we design a building which acts as a city and integrates all daily functions of urban life (dwelling, working, leisure). By suggesting a gentle, deliberate reduction of the current landscape and vegetation as opposed to a land-intensive expansion of built- up areas. Due to the fact that the landscape is already “there,” the issue of an architecture that is minimally invasive in terms of land usage emerges. Here, the concept of “critical mass” serves as the driving principle, aiming for structures that are both enormous and compact, with hybrid functions and a small footprint. The identity of this city will reflect its history, social character, and physical surroundings.
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3D Axonometric view
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Site boundaries Preliminary footprint Courtyard created Permeability dictates voids Landscape shapes the Public functions Social voids Mass development diagrams 3D Exploded view
6 5 2 1 7 9 4 5 4 6 3 8 1 6 5 3 Ground Floor Plan 1. Market 2. Library 3. Restaurant 4. Playground 3 5. Edible garden 6. Outdoor terrace 7. Outdoor sitting 8. Bike path 9. Play street (Spielstraße)
Solids and voids Gym Bike garage Laundry Pocket gardens Co-working space Barbecue terrace Social events Meeting terrace Voids (communal spaces) functions Voids elevation
Solids (residential units) typologies Cross section
Inner courtyard
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Physical model
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Weaving Piacenza’s Territory Type: Academic Group Year: 2021 Location: Piacenza, Italy Software used: Revit I Sketchup I Photoshop I Illustrator Piacenza and the settlements under the Apennines are creating a strong chain of activities, traditions and economic wealth. The territories nearby Piacenza as well as areas close to the mountains are highly active and lively. Meanwhile, the part between the city gates of Piacenza and the cities of Vigolzone and Rivergaro became a neglected passed-by area. It is currently facing ecological degradation and a few climate issues. However, the site does hold significant potentialities which are mostly forgotten or hidden by settlers. Our main goal is to revive the lost values of Piacenza’s plains such as the lost antiqua river, old tramway, abandoned structures and neglected areas. The reactivation of the territory is proposed to connect two linear systems and the space between what will provide the regeneration of the economy and ecology as well. The linear system of two highways, one regional centre and mountains does not work coherently together anymore. The areas in between became neglected and boring for passed-by settlers. We are targeting to weave the territory in order to revive Piacenza’s plains and make the lost values lively again.
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GATE FROM THE CITY BEHIND THE WALLS CLOSING THE CHAIN Strategic plan
REPROFILING INFRASTRUCTURE OLD RAILWAY REVIVAL REHABITAT LOST RIVER REGENERATION AGRICULTURAL LINKS Layers of strategies
BEHIND THE WALLS GATE FROM THE CITY The considered linear system is starting from the north with the city of Piacenza. More precisely, The West corridor is stuck with the Antiqua river which goes along the highway, sometimes hiding we explored the connection between two significant highways which creates the so-called in the adjoint green areas. As the area has three types of scapes - slow, medium and fast - the gates from the city to the Apennines. The area is characterized as a transition zone for people types of interventions were matching with these categories. According to the people and econo- coming and going. Therefore, it acts as a Hub. After analyzing the map of local organizations my flow which are represented in the systemic section, all the design considerations are targeting we found highly developed sports communities. In the slingshot between two intensive roads, to re-activate the site using the existing Values. For instance, the local farmhouse was proposed there are many sports centres and stadiums which attract sportsmen from all over the region. to transform into a local cuisine market, enriched by the new life of the river. The concrete was Being partially neglected before, the space around the stadium was reused as the area for local blocking the riverside, therefore it was supposed to be demolished to create a more habitable markets. The design interventions provide people with the net of pocket parks and open areas zone for various species. The considered area is being an intersection between all the elements of to improve the situation around the site and develop the connection with main accesses to the urban, river, and re-habitat. It is particularly interesting to note the proposal of an open vivarium city. The southern axes of the city were transformed into the Gate Hub. where researchers can explore the trees and habitats. To give more life towards the ancient river and to inject lively activities into the area, an amphitheatre was designed.
BEHIND THE WALLS CLOSING THE CHAIN The West corridor is stuck with the Antiqua river which goes along the highway, sometimes hiding Masterplan 3 is presenting the peak of natural habitats which we proposed to extend back to in the adjoint green areas. As the area has three types of scapes - slow, medium and fast - the the city and instigate the recovery of small ecosystems inside the countryside. Therefore we are types of interventions were matching with these categories. According to the people and econo-presenting a triangular connection of the urban centre Ponte dell’ Olio with important historical my flow which are represented in the systemic section, all the design considerations are targeting value concerning the construction of a railway bridge; Rivergaro with its strong traditional to re-activate the site using the existing Values. For instance, the local farmhouse was proposed background which attracts visitors and Vigolzone archaeologically valuable. However, the to transform into a local cuisine market, enriched by the new life of the river. The concrete was storyline is happening among the invisible borders of this triangle. We are providing the tour which blocking the riverside, therefore it was supposed to be demolished to create a more habitable starts with a ride in an eco-shuttle, then transfers to the bike one or walking through the untouched zone for various species. The considered area is being an intersection between all the elements of nature of Apennine’s edge. Moreover, with that coordination of people’s flow, we are navigating urban, river, and re-habitat. It is particularly interesting to note the proposal of an open vivarium them to expire present or projected agricultural services and enhance the development of where researchers can explore the trees and habitats. To give more life towards the ancient river the area. Intervention is soft but conceptually and strategically strong. With a re-profiled east and to inject lively activities into the area, an amphitheatre was designed.infrastructural axis, projecting natural pathways and connecting correct spots we are providing physical but also economical, socio, and cultural continuity of the area.
EX-Tram Station Agri-Front Transition Medium- Slow Bird tower Local market Industrial workshop Local market Public space Green corridor Traditional Osteria Open vivarium 3d diagram of reviving the farmhouses 3d diagram of natural park interventions and Verza public plaza Systemic section
Local marketRiverfront Transition medium-slow Green corridor Abandoned Farm house for farm house for Green corridor Amphitheaer Public space (70% Natural) agriculture Bio-mass plant (30% Public) 3d diagram of natural park interventions 3d diagram of the agricultural links
3D axonometries of infrastructure interventions
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River regeneration diagrams; right side, View on the open amphitheater along the canal canal
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The Green Campus Type: Academic individual Year: 2019 Location: Cairo, Egypt Software used: Revit I Photoshop I Illustrator The new Urban Campus for the 10th Settlement in Cairo is located on a large site close to the city’s centre. The project comprises several buildings, each with its own program: the teaching and administration building, dormitories, and public facilities located in the heart of the project. Transparency, porosity, connection, and thresholds manifest in the landscape but also in the architecture, where the layering of material, glazing, and public/private program create spaces on a spectrum of permeability. Some spaces are closed off and private, while others are fully open and accessible. The idea of bringing the landscape into the building is clearly manifested in the project to enhance the educational experience.
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3D Axonometric view
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Ground Floor Master Plan 1. Faculty of Modern Technology 2. Faculty of Engineering 3. Faculty of Arts 4. Faculty of Nursing 5. Faculty of Physiotherapy 6. Faculty of Pharmacy 7. Faculty of Dentistry 8. Faculty of Engineering 9. Faculty of Computer science 10. The Dorms 11. Sports club 12. Auditorium 13. Library 14. Administraion 15. Main plaza
Library, auditorium and the central plaza
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Library 3D exploded view
Library back perspective
Auditorium back perspective
Ground floor plan First floor plan Second floor plan Auditorium main perspective
3D Section
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Faculty of Arts
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The Vertical Hub Type: Academic Individual Year: 2018 Location: Cairo, Egypt Software used: Revit I Photoshop I Illustrator The project is located in the new administrative capital with a total area of about 85,000. The building is divided into two parts; administrative tower-30 floors; commercial spaces 3 floors including 5 upper floors used for recreational activities; 3 commercial floors and 3 parking floors. The tower includes a space for leasing with an average area of 500 m2 for each. The building’s structural spine is a site-formed reinforced concrete vertical core, which provides shear capacity in the cascade. Also, there are reinforced architectural concrete columns and post- tensioned, reinforced concrete slabs that enable the long spans and cantilevers of the south facade.
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3D Axonometric view
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1. Tower volume 2. Mall volume 3. To invite 4. Social enclaves 5. To sustain... 4. ...so that we can get together. Concept development diagram
Double skin facade Recreational Main core Offices Cooling zone Offices Public and social Commercial Parking and services Functional diagram
4 5 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 5 2 7 Ground Floor Plan 1. Shop 2. Retail 3. Hyper Market 4. Toilets 5. Tower entrance 6. Mall entrance 7. Emergency exit
4 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 2
Cross section
Offices floor plan Mall floor plan Basement floor plan
Secondary School project Type: Competition Year: 2022 Location: Kafountine, Senegal Software used: Revit I Sketchup I Photoshop I Illustrator This design arose with the concern of local conflicts that proliferates throughout the region. The ques- tion “Can a school bridge a community to diminish future conflicts?” was the main driver and the start- ing point of our design. To be a bridge, one building needs to be taken care of and used by the local community. However, for a building to be used, tak- en care of, and sustain itself in the process, the peo- ple have to have a sense of belonging to the said building. Inspired by the process of Gilles Clement, a French gardener, we aim to involve the local com- munity in every phase, in every aspect of the con- struction process which therefore develops a sense of belonging. Thus, by doing so, every communal function of the design will be fully utilized by not only students but also the community.
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3D Axonometric view
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THE DESIGN In order to achieve a thorough design, we came up with six design principles and mindsets. They are “Potentials”; plants being potentials, not design constraints, “Volume”; the simplest form of volumes to reduce cost and increase build-ability; “Preserve”, by preserving what is already in the community; “Community”, creating simple pocket spaces for the people, and “Altogether”; which is the enhancement of social life. Utilizing bamboo as the main driver of the design is used not only for building construction but also as a medium for community building through various phases of the design. A large bamboo planting event will be held with the locals as a symbol of new development. As time goes by, the school is built with more and more classrooms, utilizing the bamboo which was planted by the community. In the end, the regenerated and fertile soil from planting the bamboo is used as a local agricultural garden which helps the local economy. In the end, the project aims to reconcile the two realms of nature and humans, ecosystem and community. Exploded diagram
FUNCTIONAL PROGRAM 1. Director and secretary office 2. Teachers’ rooms 3. Covered courtyard 4. Classrooms 5. Boys latrines 6. Adults latrines 7. Girls latrines 8. Multipurpose room 9. Open courtyard 10. Farming area 11. Septic tank
POTENTIALS VOLUME PRESERVE “Where nature dialoguing with architecture” “Functional adjust-ability” “Working with, not against” The project started by taking significant importance The base volume of the school is By creating openings in the volume in existing paths for to the site. All the existing trees are potentials that designed in such a way as to minimize making community spaces and facilitating the way from are possible to incorporate within the design cutting trees while maximizing the the street so that it will still be familiar for the community as it functions. The simple one-floor building does not disturb the local paths form will reduce production costs and an easier build-ability for the community Covered courtyard
PRESERVE COMMUNITY ALTOGETHER “Working with, not against” “Learning with pleasure” “Theater for community” By creating openings in the volume in existing paths for A simple nudge back and forth on the building configuration will Having all these outdoor and indoor making community spaces and facilitating the way from enhance community functions, giving pocket spaces not only for gathering spaces results in engaging the the street so that it will still be familiar for the community as it the students but also for the gathering of the village community. community in some of the school activities does not disturb the local paths This action also transforms a monotonous look into a joyous look and enhancing the social between the locals which is important for the students Classrooms exterior
Community’s agricultural area
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SISLA House maquette Type: Internship, OOIIO Arquitectura Year: 2022 Location: Madrid, Spain
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omarshazly703@gmail.com I +39 3209179777