Leyla Saadi
Architect, Urban Designer
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+971 562595754
be.net/LeylaSaadi
Following graduation from the Damascus University of Engineering, Faculty of Architecture back in 2013, I gained extensive experience in both Masterplanning and Architecture, with a focus on Urban Design and Placemaking
Working across a wide range of sectors including Retail, Commercial Mixed-use and Residential Developments, dealing directly with high profile clients across the Middle East, Africa and Asia while insuring that client’s expectations are met and exceeded, I developed a deep understanding of the region’s market, clients and requirements
I have been responsible for a variety of projects, from large scale developments (up to 40 million SQM) to waterfronts and public parks. Leading small to medium sized teams including Architectural Assistants, Architects and Senior Architects I obtained strong leadership skills and a drive for excellence and innovation.
Working across a wide range of sectors including Retail, Commercial Mixed-use and Residential Developments, dealing directly with high profile clients across the Middle East, Africa and Asia while insuring that client’s expectations are met and exceeded, I developed a deep understanding of the region’s market, clients and requirements
I have been responsible for a variety of projects, from large scale developments (up to 40 million SQM) to waterfronts and public parks. Leading small to medium sized teams including Architectural Assistants, Architects and Senior Architects I obtained strong leadership skills and a drive for excellence and innovation.
Work Experience
Benoy Architects
Architect / Urban Designer
My role at Benoy evolves the following:
• A creative designer working intensively on masterplanning projects, retail schemes and waterfront developments.
• Leading several large to small projects and the associated teams (which lead to the award of further projects);
• Liaising with clients, presenting the design work and attending meetings and presentations;
• Liaising with consultants and managing communication;
• Coordinating with other Benoy studios, managing internal communications and presenting concepts and ideas to clients to help deliver multiple projects;
• I have been assigned as the “Urban Analytics Champion” in the Dubai studio to lead and drive the analytical planning and use of latest softwares in design and analysis
• Sustainability Champion in the studio, driving sustainable design and education for other members of the team
• Lastly, an active role in organizing social activities for the studio and the MENA representative for Benoy’s CSR program.
• A creative designer working intensively on masterplanning projects, retail schemes and waterfront developments.
• Leading several large to small projects and the associated teams (which lead to the award of further projects);
• Liaising with clients, presenting the design work and attending meetings and presentations;
• Liaising with consultants and managing communication;
• Coordinating with other Benoy studios, managing internal communications and presenting concepts and ideas to clients to help deliver multiple projects;
• I have been assigned as the “Urban Analytics Champion” in the Dubai studio to lead and drive the analytical planning and use of latest softwares in design and analysis
• Sustainability Champion in the studio, driving sustainable design and education for other members of the team
• Lastly, an active role in organizing social activities for the studio and the MENA representative for Benoy’s CSR program.
February 2014
-
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
MAG Lab
Trainee, & Researcher
-Assisted in University classes led by the LAB (“AIU-Arab International University” CAD CAM classes).
-Assisted in the private workshops by the LAB (Rhino Obsession & Scripting workshops). Research (Smart materials, Digital and parametric architecture).
-Designed newsletters and posters for the workshops and events hosted by MAG LAB.
-MAG LAB conference “Parametric Architecture and Design-Middle East Experiment” Damascus-
Syria - speaker 11th. Sep. 2011
Trainings taken in MAG LAB:
-Rhino Scripting Workshop - MAG LAB – January 2011
-Responsive Architecture Workshop - MAG LAB - February 2011
-Digital Obsession Workshop - MAG LAB - December 2010
-Assisted in the private workshops by the LAB (Rhino Obsession & Scripting workshops). Research (Smart materials, Digital and parametric architecture).
-Designed newsletters and posters for the workshops and events hosted by MAG LAB.
-MAG LAB conference “Parametric Architecture and Design-Middle East Experiment” Damascus-
Syria - speaker 11th. Sep. 2011
Trainings taken in MAG LAB:
-Rhino Scripting Workshop - MAG LAB – January 2011
-Responsive Architecture Workshop - MAG LAB - February 2011
-Digital Obsession Workshop - MAG LAB - December 2010
September 2010
- February 2011
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Halcrow Group Limited
internship
-Participated in a big scale urban planning project “Homs Dream project” preparing final layouts and calculations.
-Studied building regulations and standards in Libya and prepared spreadsheets for the Tripoli gate project.
-Worked on 3D and CAD drafting, prepared layouts and project documentation.
-Studied building regulations and standards in Libya and prepared spreadsheets for the Tripoli gate project.
-Worked on 3D and CAD drafting, prepared layouts and project documentation.
July 2010
- August 2010
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Tamleek “real Estate Development”
part time
-Worked as a 3D & 2D CAD drafter and prepared renders and layouts for clients.
-Residential planning, exterior and interior design.
-Site engineer assistant.
-Residential planning, exterior and interior design.
-Site engineer assistant.
July 2009
- September 2009
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Education
The Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
4.605x A Global History of Architecture: Part 1
Online Cuorse
September 2013
- Present
Boston, Michigan, United States
Damascus University
Bachelors degree
Faculty of Architecture,
expected date of graduation : July 2013
expected date of graduation : July 2013
September 2008
- September 2013
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Languages
English (Advanced),
Russian (Fluent),
Arabic (Native),
Awards
JCI
1st place prize A, B, C Damascene story photography competition
2011
Skills
3D Max,
Adobe Illustrator,
Adobe Photoshop,
Autocad,
Enscape,
Grasshopper,
I Work,
Indesign,
LadyBug,
Lumion,
Microsoft Office,
Microsoft Project,
Microsoft Suit,
Photoshop,
Rhino,
Sketchup,