Building Analysis  -  Shafiq Amash Mosque

Name of Building : Shafiq Amash Mosque, Lebanon
Architect : Nabbil Tabbara
Location : Beirut, Lebanon
Year of construction : 1984
Materials : Local Sandstone, Brick classing, Glass mosaic, Terracotta tiles. 
Building Type : Mosque. 
Distinguished Feature :  

• The use of Sandstone materials, 
• Travertine slab walls
• Traditional Roof tiles 
• Design is based on variations of Square and Cubes. 

Basic Outline Geometry : Square and Cubes.
Dimensions : (Area)  200 sqm. 

The Mihrab Niche with blue and beige decorations incorporating Qura'anic verses in glass mosaic

The Ground floor plan of the Mosque

Two main Entrances to the Mosque

First floor plan of the Mosque

First floor plan of the Mosque | Women's Mezzanine (Prayer Hall)

Exterior view of the Mosque showcasing the Local sandstone material use

The Mihrab

References :
The Mosque and the Modern World: Architects, Patrons and Designs Since the 1950s
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd (October 6, 1997)

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Image credit : Brian Scannell

Ammar Khammash is a Jordanian architect, photographer, designer, and artist, He has completed several large-scale projects renovating ancient structures and churches throughout Jordan. He obtained a B.A. in architecture from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in the United States in 1986, and he studied ethnoarchaeology at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology at Yarmuk University in Irbid, Jordan in 1987 and 1988. Khammash has been involved with a number of significant historical-architectural constructions and renovations in Jordan that combine his architectural skills with his passion for historical preservation.

Khammash established Ammar Khammash Architects, a practice in Amman that encompasses more than just architecture; rather, his company helps clients with circulation and landscape management, building design, and interior design. He is one of Jordan’s most noted architects, and also an accomplished artist and photographer. Since 1990, he has mounted a number of solo exhibitions of his paintings in Jordan, India, the United States, and Germany.

Years active : 1990 - Current

Work locations : Jordan, Syria.

Nationality : Jordanian.

Books published : 

• Notes on Village architecture in Jordan. 
• you can read more of his published works via his press page on his website  http://www.khammash.com/research

Royal Academy for Nature Conservation | Jabal Ajloun, Jordan

Madina Plaza | Amman , Jordan

Jabboul Guesthouse | Jabboul, Syria

Columbia University Middle east Research Center | Amman, Jordan

Ammar Khammash Artwork | Oil on Canvas 2006

Ammar Khammash Artwork | Watercolor 2006

Ammar Khammash Artwork | Oil on Board 2003

References :
http://www.khammash.com/
http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/5777/Khammash-Ammar-1960.html
http://www.archdaily.com/789514/royal-academy-for-nature-conservation-khammash-architects/5760b869e58ececf57000059-royal-academy-for-nature-conservation-khammash-architects-photo

Building Analysis  -  The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum

Name of Building : The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum
Architect : Jean Nouvel
Location : Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Year of construction : 2013 
Materials : Stone, Steel and Glass.  
Building Type : Museum
Distinguished Feature :  A double dome | (180 meters) in diameter, perforated with interlaced patterns filtering light through (Rain of light).
Basic Outline Geometry : Regular rectangular elements with a large dome overlapping. 
Dimensions : Area | 63 000 m² 

"Jean Nouvel has designed a complex of buildings with level and harmonious proportions embraced bythe sea. Freely inspired by buried cities and a prototypical Oriental city, a large part of the museum complex is sheltered under the comfort of this shadow. This "medina" of rooms balances urban features and geometry like a city neighborhood, with some thirty buildings visible along a promenade. Rising up to heights of 4-12 m, they each feature a different façade decorated with a variety of piercings, combining unique transitions and passages. The museum city creates a space that plays with the multiple connections between indoor and outdoor, ever-changing and poetic, to kindle curiosity and invite visitors to explore new routes and pathways, guided by the light.

Inspired by the ancient falaj system of Arab engineering, a water channel runs through the museum, making the space into a refreshing oasis that encourages strolling along the water. Passive design techniques take advantage of the natural shape of the buildings and the properties of the materials selected to improve outdoor conditions. The museum's roof is perforated to capture daylight without etting in too much sun; light-reflecting materials in pale colors are used in construction to send heat back rather than absorbing it; reduced-flow plumbing and water facilities were selected to reduce the building's demand for drinkable water. "
- Hall Napoléon (Louvre Abu Dhabi Context, architectural design, and ambition)

Interior Shot #1

Dome Structure | Elevation

Section Perspetive

Dome Structure

Dome Construction | Read more : http://hugraphic.ae/

Dome Construction | 4 points dome support  | Read more : http://hugraphic.ae/

Site Plan

Dome Location on Plan

Entrances to Museum from land

Interior Shot #2

References :

images © Ateliers Jean Nouvel
images © TDIC
images © Carlos Zeballos | MY ARCHITECTURAL MOLESKINE

http://architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.ae/2012/10/jean-nouvel-louvre-museum-abu-dhabi.html
http://conceptmodel.tumblr.com/post/71864690289/sperrault-jean-nouvel-dome-louvre-abu
http://hugraphic.ae/
http://u-in-u.com/nafas/articles/2007/saadiyat-cultural-district/projects/louvre-abu-dhabi/05/
http://www.louvre.fr/sites/default/files/presse/fichiers/pdf/louvre-contexte-enjeux-louvre-abu_0.pdf
http://louvreabudhabi.ae/en/building/pages/architecture.aspx

Rasem Badran who graduated in Architecture from the Former West Germany in the late sixties, inherited and Steamed his talent from his father, a well-known Islamic Artist in the Middle East. 
During his study in Germany he was very active and futuristic in his design approach. Some of his study projects have been published in the late sixties in Europe. In early seventies he was involved professionally in many prestigious projects in West Germany such as Munich Olympic Stadium Complex and others before he coming back to Jordan to explore the hidden values of the local culture.

Badran’s works are based on a methodological approach in defining Architecture as a continuous dialogue between contemporary needs and historical inherited cultural values. 1979 Founding partner Dar Al-Omran 

- From the architect's website | http://rasembadran.com/

Years active : 1990 - Current

Work locations : Jordan, KSA, UAE, Lebanon, Libya, Yemen, Ethiopia, Kurdistan.

Nationality :  Jordanian architect from a Palestinian descent.

Books published : 

• "The Architecture of Rasem Badran: Narratives on People and Place", James Steele (Author), Thames & Hudson (Publisher), ISBN 0-500-34206-7, 2005

Awards:  

• 1995 The Aga Khan Award for Architecture

•  Palestine Award for Architecture 1997
• Arabic Architect first prize-of Arab Housing Ministers Sponsored by Arab League/Cairo 1997 
• 1990 Arab Architecture Award received in Morocco
• 2007 "Al-Hussein Order for Distinguished contribution of the first degree" For his great distinguished efforts in enrichment of modern Islamic architecture 

Rasem Badran, water color

KING ABDULAZIZ PUBLIC LIBRARY PROPOSALAL-RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - 2006

SHEIKH SULTAN BIN ZAYED RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - 2011

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRYMAKKAH, SAUDI ARABIA - 1996

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRYMAKKAH, SAUDI ARABIA - 1996

KING ABDUL AZIZ HISTORIC CENTERAL-RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - 1996 - 1999

From his Daughter's website : Samira Badran

Building Analysis  -  Doha Tower 


Name of Building : Doha Tower (Burj Doha)
Architect : Jean Nouvel 
Location :  Al Corniche Street, West Bay, Doha, Qatar 
Year of construction : 2013
Materials : Aluminum, reflective glass.
Building Type : Office Tower 
Distinguished Feature :  Butterfly" Aluminum elements of different scales according to the orientation In relation to the Sun : 25% North, 40% South, 60% East and West.
Basic Outline Geometry : Cylindrical 
Dimensions : 60,000sqm , Height 231m 

Top most level interior view before full finishing was put in place.

Top most level view of the Ceiling.

Doha Tower Ariel view

Street View of the Tower .

View of the Facade's Aluminum panels inspired by the geometric design of the Mashrabiya.

Building analysis sheets :

Typical Floor Plan | Services (W.C, Circulation, Shafts, Fire escapes...etc) , Closed Offices

Typical Floor Plan | Open plan office design

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Building Analysis  -  Islamic Cemetery in Altach

Name of Building : Islamic Cemetery in Altach, Austria 
Architect : Bernardo Bader 
Location : Altach, Austria 
Year of construction : 2012
Materials : Reinforced concrete, oak, wooden screens. 
Building Type : Cemetery
Distinguished Feature :  Five burial areas marked by red concrete wall designed in a lattice pattern.
Basic Outline Geometry : Regular rectangular elements. 
Dimensions : 468 sqm. 
Religious Importance: Islamic destination for the Muslim minorities in Altach, Austria 

Overall view of the Cemetery

View of the Entrance Facade with the large wooden screen with Islamic geometric patterns

View of the outdoor courtyard

Interior view | The prayer space

Interior view | Gathering space

The Project won the Aga Khan award in 2013.
The citation of the award reads in part : "Simple in expression and poetic in form, it not only engages in the natural landscape in an intelligent manner but it also suspends any notion of declaration. While emphasizing spiritual pluralism, the cemetery also provides the final destination for a minority group in a dominant society  "




Building analysis sheets :

Layout plan

Plan | Main entrance

Plan

*Make sure to check archdaily's blog post on the building for more images and information.


References : 
Architecture Now Vol 10 by Philip Jodidio, you can buy a copy via tachen's website. 
http://www.archdaily.com/269407/islamic-cemetery-in-altach-bernardo-bader
(Aga Khan winner 2013 on youtube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ggnOb3iU9M

 

Bernard Khoury studied architecture at the Rhode Island school of Design (B.F.A 1990 / B.Arch 1991). He received a Masters in Architectural studies from Harvard University (M.Arch 1993).

He is the co-founder of the Arab Center for Architecture. He was a visiting professor at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne; l'Ecole Speciale d'Architecture in Paris and the American University of Beirut. He has lectured and exhibited his work in prestigious academic institutions in Europe and the U.S including a solo show of his work given by the International Forum for Contemporary Architecture at the Aedes gallery in Berlin (2003) and numerous group shows including YOUprison at the Fondazione Sandretto in Torino (2008) and SPACE at the opening show of the MAXXI museum in Rome (2010). He was the co-curator and architect of the Kingdom of Bahrain's national pavilion at the Venice Biennale's 14th International Architecture Exhibition in 2014. His work has been extensively published by the professional press.

- From the architect's website |  http://bernardkhoury.com/profile.php

Years active : 2001 - Current

Work locations : Lebanon, Italy, United states, France, Germany, United Arab Emirates.

Nationality : Lebanese

Books published : 

• "Local Heroes" - A passionate auto-biography and reflection on his work.
• you can read more of his published works via his press page on his website http://bernardkhoury.com/media.php

Awards:  

• Honorable mention of the Borromini prize | architects under 40 years of age, Rome (2001).
• The Architecture + Award. (2004).

AL ZORAH RESORT (R1), Ajaman UAE , mixed used development

AL ZORAH RESORT (R1), Ajaman UAE , mixed used development

PLOT # 893,Beirut, Lebanon,residential

PLOT # 893,Beirut, Lebanon,residential

VITRUVIUS IN QUARANTINE, Milan Italy Installation 2015

VITRUVIUS IN QUARANTINE, Milan Italy Installation 2015