Resume

Yusra Saifuddin19620 Darnestown rdBeallsville, MD [email protected]

On the surface architecture is static, it is permanent. But our experiences suggest otherwise. Architecture is anything but static. Archi-tecture is charged with momentum...almost catalytic. Architecture is as transformative physically as it is abstractly for its users. It responds to a dynamic environment every hour, every day, every season, and every year. It responds to the dynamics of our society as it evolves. Architec-ture activates people; it affects our movement, our lifestyle, our health. It affects our experiences, our memories, and most importantly our perceptions of space. Architecture is temporal. Each instance of a space only lasts for that moment. Our perceptions of that space are con-stantly shifting and changing in response to these subtle transformations. Designers attuned to these transformations and their effects design spaces that are much more dynamic, and with greater potential to nurture society and the environment. After completing my bachelor’s degrees in architecture and environmental design from the Univeristy of Houston, I worked for a little over three years. At both Phillip Ewald Architects and Morris Architects, I contributed on fast-paced projects that required me to learn quickly and proceed from the initial stages of design through completion. I completed my IDP hours in three years and hope to be licensed after completing one remaining ARE exam. With experience on both interiors and architecture, I strive to develop spaces that reflect my design values. Although I took some time off from working in a structured environment in order to nurture my children in their early years, I managed to remain well-informed about architectural research, news, standards, and software by participating in design competitions and producing freelance architectural services to local non-profit organizations. This time afforded me with a chance to reevaluate my career and its direction. I am looking to join a design-oriented firm where I can apply my design skills and work with others to design innovative solutions for complex situations. I feel confident that my design sensibility paired with my education and experience will serve as an asset to your firm.

Thank you for considering me as a possible candidate to joining your office.

Yusra Saifuddin240.489.3049 [email protected]

Certifications + EducationAssociate AIACompleted IDP work hoursArchitect Registration Examination – One remaining examBachelor of Architecture magna cum laude May 2005, University of HoustonBachelor of Science in Environmental Design magna cum laude May 2005, University of Houston

Work ExperienceIslamic Center of Richmond, VA. — August 2011Developed Program; offered options for masterplan of a mosque, community center and school, in addition to concept and schematic design of the mosque to be presented for fundraising purposes before further design development.

Morris Architects — October 2006 - May 2008Designer – Responsibilities included producing and coordinating project solutions and documentation from schematic design through construction administration. Helped implement and develop strategies to transition to Autodesk Revit as the dominant tool to coordinate and produce construction drawings and details. Westin Memorial City - Houston, TX A twenty-seven story hotel and condominium tower to serve the commercial, hospital and retail elements which currently reside in the Memorial City area. Responsibilities included maintaining and developing Revit model for design options, color renderings, DD package, construction documents, details, and construction administration in a fast paced design-build environment. The Blue Rose: Condominium Hotel Residences - Orlando, Florida Two thirty-nine story condominium and hotel towers in a resort facility with spa, restaurant, retail and theater facilities in the Orlando area. Participated in the development of the Revit model and drawings, and the programmatic analysis of facility. University Corners - Gainesville, Florida Mixed use development providing student housing, hotel, retail and student spaces for the University of Florida. Coordinated structural and MEP disciplines to develop construction documents and design details.

Philip Ewald Architecture, Inc — June 2005-September 2006Project Designer - Responsibilities included space planning and construction documentation for corporate interiors, and health care facilities. Other tasks included field visits and verifica-tions, computer modeling and rendering for new facilities and presentation packages, and responding to RFIs.

Parker House 2000Produced models of residential homes for the designer’s use in presentations to clients.

CompetitionsSukkah City NYC 2010“'Sukkah City' is an international design competition to develop new methods of material practice and parametric design, and propose radical possibilities for traditional design constraints in a contemporary urban site.” The proposed design experimented with the properties of cork and tessellating patterns to create a flexible form for the Sukkah, a temporary place of worship for a Jewish festival.

Temporary Outdoor Gallery Space commissioned by Art Alliance of Austin, TX. 2010“TOGS™ challenges the visual and conceptual boundaries of the outdoor gallery space, transforming the open-air art fair experience into one that showcases the synergy between art and architecture and brings both to the public realm.”The proposed design offered a dynamic space reconfigurable with lightweight foldable panels to respond to the exhibit in addition to facilitating transportation and storage.

Golden Triangle BID Creative Bicylce Racks. February 2009

Client Directed Studio ExperienceEast Campus Housing – University of Houston Spring 2005Completed research on recent design and construction of university housing projects. Created concepts for planning, site development, and design of a mixed-use, multi-building housing complex for 1,200 beds at the University of Houston. Design studio team included Vergel Gay. AIA director of Planning, Facilities Construction for UH System. Work has been presented to Dr.Elwyn Lee and the Long Range Housing Committee, Provost Dr. Foss, and Regent Leroy Hermes.

Rose Theater Reconstruction Fall 2004Investigated the archeology of the original Rose Theater for Sydney Berger of the University of Houston, Theater Department.

Library for a Transit-Oriented Community Spring 2004Developed urban planning for a transit-oriented community located at the Metro Rail Fannin South Station for developer Frank Liu of Lovett Homes, followed by the development of a modern library and civic space serving the development

Related Skills and Interests Autodesk Revit Autodesk AUTOCAD Autodesk 3D Max Rhino – learning and experimenting with Rhinoscript and Grasshopper Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign.

References upon request

Yusra Saifuddin240.489.3049 [email protected]

z

EXPANDING ART - TEMPORARY OUTDOOR GALLERY SPACE

Inspired by the natural rhythm

of the seasons in which great

transformations are to

observed. Trees come to life;

but even before displaying

their abundance of leaves we

experience several in between

states of summer and winter

with the a burst of buds, then

an emergence of delicate and

vibrant young leaves which

mature into larger leaves

capable of providing shade,

before morphing yet again as

the leaves wither, returning the

tree to the barren frame it once

was. Similarly, the expanding

art pavilion provides an

intimate setting to experience

art in an array of differing

conditions as the pavilion

expands and contracts. This

process is not purely

experiential, it facilitates

assembly, packing and

ultimately portability.EXPANDING PANEL EXPANDING LEAVES

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

AB..

C

D. E..

B..

B..

C

CA

B..

C

F.

G.

H.

B.

C

AA

A

C

CB.

B.

A

C

B.

A

C

B.

AB.

I.

J

K L M N O P

CALHOUN ST.

Walkw

ay To Campus

Walkw

ay To Campus Bike Lane

Parking

ENTRA

NCE 1

CALHOUN STREET CAMPUS HOUSINGSITE PLAN

CALHOUN STREET HOUSING

The University of Houston, considered a suburban campus, is look-

ing at shifting its role from a commuter campus to a more traditional

campus. The university plans on adding a significant amount of

student housing on a campus where currently only 10% reside. This

change could potentially alter the character of the campus life as

student life on campus increases from an 8-5 day to a 24 hr active

campus. The university defined a set of criterion by which any new

development must follow. They are: physical beauty, organized

growth, functional growth and memorable spaces. In understanding

these terms, I found that the fi rst, physical beauty, encompasses

the other criteria. I defi ne Physical beauty as a set of characteris-

tics: Harmony of form, harmony of color, harmony of materials,

excellence of artistry, craft and design, as something outstanding

and memorable, having order, defi nition and scale, and pleasing to

the senses. While none of these give a real indication of how these

may shape a design, they seem to be a general objective of any

design problem. Conceptually the project was begun with an inten-

tion to introduces ome urban scaled density to the campus of the

University of Houston. This is achieved through the program, calling

for a variety of housing types for the 1200 bed development. These

housing types are arranged and organized by six gardens, each with

their own specifi c identity to provide orientation and unique charac-

ter to the various housing blocks. A dense, parkable street front

provides access to retail for the university and community. The retail

is contained in simple one story structures that intersect the housing

by combining housing lobby space with retail service space. The

sitting area for a coffee shop would be part of the lobby.

MORRIS ARCHITECTS - 2006-2008 Blue Rose Resort and Condominiums

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

UPUP

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

PUMP ROOM3.1 -

UNCONDITIONEDPODIUM

EMERGENCYPOWER

3.1 -UNCONDITIONED

PODIUM

BAKERY2.1.1 - FOOD

AND BEVERAGE

PURCHASING2.2.1 -

ADMINISTRATION

ENGINEERING2.2.6 -

MISCELLANEOUSBACK OF HOUSE

HOUSEKEEPING2.2.6 -


EMPLOYEECAFETERIA

2.2.2 - KITCHENS

FREIGHT ELEV 12.2.6 -


PARKING GARAGE2.2.6 -


MAIL SHIPPING/RECEIVING

2.2.6 -MISCELLANEOUSBACK OF HOUSE

FIRE COMMANDCENTER

2.2.6 -MISCELLANEOUSBACK OF HOUSERECYCLING


RESTAURANT D2.1.1 - FOOD

AND BEVERAGE

RESTAURANT C2.1.1 - FOOD

AND BEVERAGE

WOMEN2.1.6 -

MISCELLANEOUSPUBLIC

GARAGE4.2 - CLOSED

GARAGE

KITCHEN A2.2.2 - KITCHENS

RECEIVING OFFICE2.2.6 -


PROMENADE

SWITCHGEARROOM

3.1 -UNCONDITIONED

PODIUM

CART STAGING2.2.6 -


MEN2.1.6 -

MISCELLANEOUSPUBLIC

LOBBY2.1.5 - PUBLICCIRCULATION

ENGINEERINGPARTS/SUPPLY

STORAGE2.2.6 -


WOMEN2.1.6 -

MISCELLANEOUSPUBLIC

REFRIGERATEDTRASH


KITCHEN B2.2.2 - KITCHENS

RESTAURANT A2.1.1 - FOOD

AND BEVERAGE

TABLE STORAGE2.2.4 - STORAGE

WOMEN'S LOCKERS2.2.3 -

EMPLOYEEFACILITIES

MEN'S LOCKERS2.2.3 -

EMPLOYEEFACILITIES

RAW BAR KITCHEN2.2.2 - KITCHENS

MEN2.1.6 -

MISCELLANEOUSPUBLIC

BAR PANTRY2.2.2 - KITCHENS

EMERGENCYGENERATOR

3.1 -UNCONDITIONED

PODIUM

STORAGE2.2.4 - STORAGE

BACK OF HOUSE2.2.6 -


LABORMANAGEMENT

2.2.1 -ADMINISTRATION

EMERGENCYGENERATOR

3.1 -UNCONDITIONED

PODIUM

KITCHEN C2.2.2 - KITCHENS


COLDSTORAGE/COMMISARY

2.2.4 - STORAGE

RETAIL A2.1.2 - RETAIL

KITCHEN D2.2.2 - KITCHENS

BACK OF HOUSE2.2.6 -


RETAIL C2.1.2 - RETAIL

COFFEE BAR2.1.1 - FOOD

AND BEVERAGE

THEATER SEATING2.8.3 -

AUDITORIUM

STAGE2.8.4 - STAGE

LOBBY2.8.1 - THEATER

PUBLIC

LAUNDRY / DRYCLEANING


BEVERAGESTORAGE

2.2.4 - STORAGE

EMPLOYEEKITCHEN

2.2.2 - KITCHENS

WOMEN2.2.3 -

EMPLOYEEFACILITIES

MEN2.2.3 -

EMPLOYEEFACILITIES

HUMANRESOURCES

2.2.1 -ADMINISTRATION

ROOM SERVICESETUP


RESTAURANT B2.1.1 - FOOD

AND BEVERAGE

ATRIUM LOBBY/BAR2.1.1 - FOOD

AND BEVERAGE

NURSE OFFICE2.2.3 -

EMPLOYEEFACILITIES

DROPSAFE2.2.4 - STORAGE

TRAIN ROOM 22.2.3 -

EMPLOYEEFACILITIES

TRAIN ROOM 12.2.3 -

EMPLOYEEFACILITIES

RETAIL E2.1.2 - RETAIL



WARDROBE2.2.4 - STORAGE

SERVICE LINES2.2.2 - KITCHENS

TELEPHONES2.1.6 -

MISCELLANEOUSPUBLIC

RETAIL F2.1.2 - RETAIL

RETAIL D2.1.2 - RETAIL

RETAIL B2.1.2 - RETAIL

LOST AND FOUND2.2.4 - STORAGE

VEHICLE/LANDSCAPESTORAGE

2.2.4 - STORAGE

ATTICK STOCK2.2.4 - STORAGE

CENTRAL PLANT3.1 -

UNCONDITIONEDPODIUM

STAIR3.1 -

UNCONDITIONEDPODIUM

STAIR3.1 -

UNCONDITIONEDPODIUM

THEATER SUPPORT2.8.5 - THEATER

SUPPORT

STAIR3.1 -

UNCONDITIONEDPODIUM

RETAIL G2.1.2 - RETAIL

BRIDGE1.6 - BRIDGE

GENERATOR GEARROOM

3.1 -UNCONDITIONED

PODIUM

ROOM2.8.6 - THEATER

BOH

MEN2.8.1 - THEATER

PUBLIC

WOMEN2.8.1 - THEATER

PUBLIC

EMERGENCYGENERATOR

3.1 -UNCONDITIONED

PODIUM

SWITCHGEARROOM

3.1 -UNCONDITIONED

PODIUM

GENERAL STORAGE3S-431

CHINA STORAGE3S-432

RECEIVING OFFICE3S-434

RAW BAR2.1.1 - FOOD

AND BEVERAGE

TWO-WAYCURB CUT

TWO-WAYCURB CUT

TWO-WAYCURB CUT

M

W

TL

STAIRSD

SURFACE PARKING

PARKING STRUCTURE

SURFACE PARKING

TNALP LARTNECGNIKRAP ECAFRUS

STORAGE ROOM

ATRIUM/BARSEATING

RAMP

The design consisted of two thirty-nine story towers, with a shared podium offering guests with a full service resort, retail, 5 restaurants overlooking the lake and promenade, a spa, sauna and private pools with poolside cabanas, a fitness center, game rooms, 75,000 sq of conferencing facilities, 35,000 sq ft of ballroom space, and a 1000 seat theater. This was the first Revit project at the office in it transition to Revit. I participated in the schematic phase of this project which included building the Revit Model for design review and options. I was also responsible for using the model to generate comprehensive area calculations for programming and pricing.

MORRIS ARCHITECTS - 2006-2008 Westin Hotel Condominiums - Houston, TX

A twenty-seven story hotel and condominium tower to serve the hospital, commercial and retail elements which currently reside in the Memorial City area. Responsibilities included maintaining and developing Revit model for design options, color renderings, DD package, construction documents, exterior details, and construction administration in a truly fast paced design-build environment.