With a passion for large-scale planning and a strong background in urban planning from MIT, including hands-on experience and academic projects in Morocco, United States of America, Colombia, and Canada. I specialize in diagnostic studies, spatial mapping (ArcGIS/QGIS), and producing recommendations for zoning, volumetry, accessibility, and safety. My desire to effectuate real change through my work has led me to develop a keen interest in disaster risk mitigation and resilience planning, which involves addressing the complex challenges of climate and conflict mitigation. With my skill set, I am equipped to conduct feasibility studies and devise innovative schemes that generate impactful outcomes.

I have worked on a diverse range of projects, demonstrating my expertise in professional and dynamic urban design. These include private mixed-use, net-positive masterplans in a Latin American country, as well as large-scale urban infrastructural integration in Quebec, involving bridges, airports, and transit stations.

In addition, I have contributed to the urban and landscape design of exterior spaces for a significant sports facility and urban park. I have also been involved in the development of mixed-use neighborhoods and Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs). Furthermore, I have played a key role in the urban design and integration of an intermodal transport hub, as well as the analysis, design, and integration of 23 light rail stations for the REM de l'Est light rail line in the east of Montreal.

Throughout these projects, I have gained the confidence to create compelling urban design narratives that prioritize stakeholder considerations. My focus is on delivering robust, sustainable, and well-designed masterplans and guides, which are visually appealing and effectively presented. Additionally, I have conducted development potential studies for these projects and their adjacent sites, providing valuable insights for future planning and growth.

With an insatiable curiosity and unwavering commitment to knowledge acquisition and production, I approach research projects with enthusiasm, emphasizing strong project management skills, creative brainstorming, effective communication, and task delegation.

Throughout my career, I have gained invaluable experience working in various research labs. Notably, I spent over two years as a research assistant at the MIT Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture, where I played a pivotal role in developing multiple graduate-level courses. Additionally, my tenure at the MIT Future Heritage Lab spanned around three years, starting as a research design assistant, and gradually advancing to the position of lead researcher and project manager. A significant accomplishment during this time was spearheading the development of the living heritage atlas.

I take great pride in presenting myself effectively and engaging in hands-on research. My experience includes conducting fieldwork, participatory co-creation, and utilizing archival materials in numerous research projects, such as the Living Heritage Atlas, Reviving Cosmopolitan Beirut, She is Beirut, and Grand Hotel Kassouf.

I excel at forging connections between ideas, identifying optimal solutions, and embracing new challenges in both academic and practical realms. I have had the privilege of collaborating on a residential innovation research project with Canderel, one of Canada's largest real estate developers. Additionally, I have served as a curatorial research assistant for renowned architecture firms, including Hashim Sarkis Studios (Byblos Blue - XXth Architecture and Urbanism Chilean Biennale) and MVRDV (Le Grand Puzzle - Manifesta 13 European Nomadic Biennale), contributing to exhibitions and publications associated with their work.

My expertise encompasses a diverse range of topics, spanning architectural history, heritage, urban studies and planning, international development, sustainability, technology, participatory design, and innovation in architecture and planning.

With a Master's degree in History of Architecture, including a focused scholarship on Islamic architecture through the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture, my passion for heritage has been nurtured for many years. I believe heritage plays a pivotal role in shaping identities, projecting architectural images, and promoting sustainability through material reuse. Through extensive research, including papers and publications, I have explored the morphology of sites and the significance of archival materials. Notable projects include "She is Beirut," presented at the TU Delft Mediating the Spatiality of Conflict Conference, as well as two research theses on heritage in the Arab world. Professionally, I have gained valuable experience working in heritage, including my role as a Lead Design Researcher and Project Manager for the Living Heritage Atlas | Beirut project by the MIT Future Heritage Lab and the Civic Data Design Lab. Furthermore, my contributions as a Research and Teaching Assistant at the MIT Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture and Assistant Designer & Researcher at Hashim Sarkis Studios have further deepened my expertise in heritage-related endeavors.

I pursued a Bachelor's of Architecture degree (equivalent of an M.Arch – NAAB accredited) at the Lebanese Americaan University accredited by NAAB, which served as my entryway into the field of architecture and planning. This educational journey provided me with a wonderful and well-rounded experience. I further expanded my knowledge by attaining a Master of Science in Architecture Studies degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where my coursework encompassed urban planning, architecture, Islamic architecture, art culture technology, and history of architecture.

Throughout my life, I have had the privilege of living in various countries such as Canada, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, and the US. This exposure has allowed me to thrive under pressure, adapt swiftly to new environments, and deeply appreciate the cultural diversity that each experience offers.

I have worked in esteemed design firms of different scales and locations, including MVRDV in Rotterdam, Netherlands; Muduni in Beirut, Lebanon; Hashim Sarkis Studios in Beirut, Lebanon, and Cambridge, MA, USA; Salem Architecture in Montreal, QC, Canada; casaleganitos in Beirut, Lebanon; RMarchitecture in Metn, Lebanon; and Dar Al Handasah in Dubai, UAE.

I possess a constant drive to challenge myself and expand my skillset. Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, and a range of modeling and mapping software such as AutoCAD, Revit, ArcGIS, and Rhino, I am well-equipped to excel in my field.

I have experience in sustainability and designing eco-friendly buildings and neighborhoods. Notably, I presented a project at the UN World Urban Forum on adapting industrial chimneys and high-rise atriums for solar updraft towers. I also conducted an urban metabolism study in Ben Guerir, Morocco, which helped inform policy decisions about city zoning. I have worked on ecological masterplans in Canada and Brazil, and most recently, on a mixed-use TOD striving for LEED ND certification. As an urban designer, I am passionate about creating lively, sustainable, site-sensitive, and inclusive communities. I continuously strive to improve my skills and attend workshops offered by the World Bank, United Nations, and universities. I hold the LEED Green Associate credential and enjoy collaborating with people and organizations committed to cities, sustainability, and international development projects.