Sustainable Materials in Arid Climates

In the harsh environment of the GCC, insulation is key. However, modern insulation often lacks the aesthetic appeal of traditional architecture.

We are seeing a resurgence in the use of compressed earth blocks. These provide excellent thermal mass while maintaining a low carbon footprint. Combined with modern passive cooling techniques, we can reduce energy consumption by up to 40% in residential villas.

The Al-Nassir Villa Renovation

Day 1: Initial site survey revealed structural weak points in the load-bearing columns.

Day 5: Collaboration with structural engineers to propose steel reinforcement without altering the external facade.

Day 20: Demolition of internal partitions. We uncovered original geometric tiling that we decided to restore rather than replace.

The Psychology of Lighting

Lighting dictates the mood. High-intensity cool light increases focus but reduces comfort. Warm, dim light encourages relaxation.

In the Showroom projects, I utilize layered lighting: ambient, task, and accent. This allows the user to change the atmosphere of the room from "Work Mode" to "Relax Mode" with the flip of a switch.