Porota

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.

interior and exterior design

To serve the people or mass at large by designing sustainable and sensitive Architecture for them.

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.

I prefer to attend a good design process, and after that, I judge the result, of course, that attention to the detail of design in various types of buildings is so important and technology is important too, thus I like to see your great project here.

CEO of Roland Baldi architects

The architectural studio Roland Baldi is active in architecture and urban planning, but also covers the fields of interior and landscape architecture as well as design. The projects - for the most part following successfully entered competitions - span over a large variety of different architecture manifestations including industrial, commercial and residential buildings, urban planning, infrastructure, buildings for educational purposes and a variety of other studies up to furniture design. The architect’s office is working under the motto „simple but different“ and focuses its attention on sustainability. Many of the implemented projects have been awarded with national and international architecture awards and presented in reputable exhibitions (i.a. Biennale of Architecture São Paulo 2012, Biennale of Architecture Venice 2006, 2014 e 2018, „New Architecture in South Tyrol 2006-2012“, solo exhibition in the Prisma Gallery in Bolzano 2012, alpitecture meets biennale 2014, Premio Architettura Città di Oderzo , South Tyrol Architecture Award 2013, best architects award 2014, Iconic Award 2014 e 2016).

Interior design 

I am pretty clear what architecture means to me, and after 50 years of being in this profession on three continents, I will not change my mind. There are great architects out there, and I just hope they see clearly the development of our profession. It is not about YOU anymore, it is about the survival of our planet. Please take this seriously!

Architecture is an emotional experience.

When artificial intelligence is used to build superstructures, then the human input can only be done by designers with great imagination and vision. High-Tech is terrific if it is applied to social benefit. We forget so quickly that everything we make, including artificial intelligence, comes from the raw materials of this planet.

I can see that people are fascinated by monstrous shiny skyscrapers, but the reality is, that this is nothing more than modern human anthills. Who wants to live there with thousands of others?

We should integrate the beauty of Nature harmoniously into our architecture. The grand design of Nature (mountains, valleys, meadows, lakes, streams, oceans shores) gives us enough inspiration to follow the idea to compliment Nature, instead of destroying it.

#Architecture as the Prime Profession

I am a university instructor for 5 years and inspiring architecture students to bring out their best is my advocy.

My architectural focus would be in the academe but my passion is in the realm of construction management.

Also, I am a consistent member of the board for the United Architects of the Philippines.