Porota

I am the founder of Avoid Obvious Architects. We design happy cities and green buildings. We have won 39 awards in the last 5 years.

Associated professor at Faculty of Architecture, Silesian University of Technology, Poland. Main areas of scientific interest - landscape design, urban design, theory in architecture. Owner of design studio Pracownia HORTUS. In 1996 obtained his Ph.D. with thesis: Rebuilding of the greenery of densely populated settlements in industrial cities of Upper Silesia, Katowice case study, with the use of computer method of plant selection. In 2014 DSc degree upon monograph: Modelled nature - naturalistic elements in urban planning. Commission for conservation of historical greenery. Author of 54 and co-author of 11 scientific publications (5 individual monographs), 16 scientific notifications, 5 popular books and other publications. Author of 162 landscape architecture designs, 14 expertises and 41 greenery inventories (including 2 inventories of botanical garden in Zabrze). Leading designer of 29 designs of new parks and squares. Main works: Recomposition of greenery of two districts - Ligota and Koszutka in Katowice; Conception plan for Silesian Botanical Garden in Mikolow; co-author of multi-option conception plan for development of postindustrial area of „Turow” brown coal mine, Belchatow; Greenery for Akademicka Street in Gliwice; Hill Antonia Park - zinc spoil heap in Ruda Śląska; park of Silesian Center for Rehabilitation and Health in Rabka; co-author of Greenery design for Copernicus Science Centre in Warszawa - Discovery Park and Garden on the roof. Recent monograph: Connotations in architecture - On the Art of Observation of Associations Drawn from Culture.

Architecture

Civil engineering

Interiors

la transparence deans la conception est mon premier materiau de construction

Golub Architects Company and me, as the chief architect, have several focuses: firstly, it is a residential and commercial architecture (individual houses, apartment buildings, offices, cafes, restaurants, etc.); secondly, it is urban design; the third is the design of parks and recreational areas, landscape design. Also, now our company has a number of orders in a new field for us - these are memorial complexes (memorials are devoted to the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine).

Throughout my professional career i have had a diverse focus which has enabled me to enjoy the various facets of the design world. Including the following:

• Residential
• Interiors
• Universal Accesibility
• Heritage

Architecture and Urban Design 

My architecture focuses on the adaptation of each project in its own context with its own particular story. Also, my projects focus on humanity and climate change since architecture is for everyone, not just for privilege people. Therefore, the role of an architect is not only to build for rich and capable people, yet to everyone using specific architectural systems that will adapt to a specific situation. 

Elegance in design is crucial. However, there are many different ingredients assembeled all together in order to result with a good architectural project, and the social aspect is a major part of any project as well as sustainiblity and most importantly, the respect of nature and history. 

In our firm Zein Engineering we focus on several issues in the world such as scarcity of ressources, refugee crisis, displacement, immigration, poverty...etc.Well, Architecture could be the driving force to solve numerous problems in the world.  Also, Zein Eng. is recently commissioning several mega projects in Lebanon and the Gulf countries working with high-end projects and providing the best architecture possible for the client, for the context, and for society.

Architecture for rural people.

Outstanding centre for Architectural documentation drawing.    

Unique architectural creation

Something about myself

The journey for architecture started way back as my father was a professional civil engineer possessing a Master’s degree in Ekistics from Greece to his credit. Since he was involved in projects within and outside Pakistan, we were living in different parts of the world. It was a blessing to observe, interact and exposed with varied cultures, art of different region which got my passion for architecture flared in the later years.

My understanding of architecture is not limited to the build sturcture only rather the " Feel" and " Approach" behind each physical thing . This has given me ample vision to corelate myself with Poetry , paintings , dancing and above all nature. Colours , proportions and ego system has taught me to survive alongwith other species and habitats.

Education:

·       Bachelors in Architecture from University of         Engineering and Technology, later a

·       Master’s in Business Administration and

·       Masters in Project Management from Islamabad, the urge for excellence has kept boosting my moral for learning till date.

I was lucky to work with Legendary architect Nayyar Ali Dada, at the beginning of my career , who had been instrumental in making me understand the proportion and space, linkage of exterior and interior, vernacular architectural   with profound knowledge of materials and Craftsmen. Happen to work with Meinhardt an international consultancy firm further boasted my confidence to handle projects ranging from small-scale to mega ones.

Linkage with architectural fraternity:

As part of the Architectural family; I am involved in to put in my part of the share to elevate the professionalism of architecture in Pakistan; being associated with University and schools of Architectural as Visiting faculty few years back and as a juror, adviser to students; it is always a proud moment to guide and support upcoming young architects. It is always a great moment to witness young architects achieve the desired level of education and skill set for later professional needs; it is only possible with connection with them and discussion; in fact, it is a two-way learning.

Current experience (twenty-four years)

I had also been involved in the planning and construction of Islamabad Serena Hotel and Business complex project. I was also an active team member for projects in the region including Afghanistan and Tajikistan for Kabul Serena and Dushanbe Serena Hotel. I have keen eye and experience coordinating and supervising the manufacturing of furniture, soft furnishings, carpets and supply chain management of critical project items. I also have the experience in planning and designing of non-commercial welfare projects including Hospitals, sport and education facilities. I have also been associated to handle/liaison and coordination with civic authorities, utility companies, and Government agencies. It has been more than a decade relationship with my current employer.

Affiliations and memberships

I am a registered Architect with Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners and an associate member of Institute of Architects Pakistan.

Currently serving as Past Chairman for Institute of Architects Pakistan RIC.

Hobbies / pass time

Love to spend time with my wife and daughters. Being a fun and adventure loving person, always geared for picnics, movies, social gatherings. Having true love with music, a singer/ vocalist. Been an athlete; played soccer, swimming, represented my University in Badminton at provincial level.  Cycling has been my recent love and getting to explore my surroundings on two-wheeler. Socially connected with friends and family through FB, WhatsApp and other social networking apps.,

International Seminars and workshop.

Have attended numerous professional seminars/ workshops on varied subjects.

S.M. Shafaiet Mahmud has a passion for innovative ideas, exploring the boundaries of visual art and architecture. He completed his Bachelor of Architecture from American International University Bangladesh (AIUB) in 2017. His B.Arch thesis project, titled “Urban Remediation: Turning Landfill Site into Public Park,” sought to develop an existing landfill into a community urban park, creating a model for turning “negative” zones into vibrant public places. The project questioned the conventional practice of waste management, which has a great impact on the infrastructure of any city. Shafaiet’s proposal included a ward-based waste-processing facility prototype that would recycle waste at the landfill. His proposal was awarded the year’s best thesis and published in Context BD, a reputed online architecture platform.

Shafaiet has worked as an intern architect at Volumezero Architects. In 2018, he was awarded the design competition “Inhabiting Nature,” organized by Aditya College of Architecture (ACA), Mumbai, India. He attended the Institute of Architects Bangladesh architecture jamboree in 2016. His expertise is in complex geometry and coding in Rhinoceros and Grasshopper. He participated in EVOLO skyscraper design competition in 2015 and attended a workshop arranged by Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh called “Safe Sanitation 2014.” In this workshop, he was awarded 2nd prize for his “Community Toilet Design.”

At Ci+AU, he is currently working on the design of eight BRAC regional offices and a prototype pavilion for Aarong Earth, the display and sale space for Aarong’s herbal products. He is an associate member of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh.

Experienced Architect in Architectural Design, and Construction Management Projects and Contract Management and Project Execution and Delivery

Proven ability to communicate clearly and manage large teams. Experienced Architect with strong leadership and relationship-building skills.

Strengths include verbal and written communication, Business Development, Managerial and Operational expertise.