Alaa Albarazy
Architect, Educator, Urban designer, XR designer
Alaa is a dynamic creative technologist with a strong international background in architecture and urban design. He possesses a passion for integrating emerging technologies into sensory design applications. With a solid foundation in theoretical research and practical experimentation, Alaa has successfully contributed to numerous projects at the intersection of technology, art, and science.
Alaa holds a Master's degree, an MFA (a terminal degree), in design from Virginia Commonwealth University. Additionally, he pursued entrepreneurial studies in creative art at HEC Paris University. Prior to that, he obtained his Master's degree, an MSc in Architecture & Urban Design, from Eastern Mediterranean University. Alaa's undergraduate education led him to earn a Bachelor of Architecture from Eastern Mediterranean University with the distinction of the High Honor.
Now Alaa is as a researcher at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and part of its research Lab Intangible Lab. Beside his work as the CEO of the creative platform “The-A”.
Architect, Educator, Urban designer, XR designer
Alaa is a dynamic creative technologist with a strong international background in architecture and urban design. He possesses a passion for integrating emerging technologies into sensory design applications. With a solid foundation in theoretical research and practical experimentation, Alaa has successfully contributed to numerous projects at the intersection of technology, art, and science.
Alaa holds a Master's degree, an MFA (a terminal degree), in design from Virginia Commonwealth University. Additionally, he pursued entrepreneurial studies in creative art at HEC Paris University. Prior to that, he obtained his Master's degree, an MSc in Architecture & Urban Design, from Eastern Mediterranean University. Alaa's undergraduate education led him to earn a Bachelor of Architecture from Eastern Mediterranean University with the distinction of the High Honor.
Now Alaa is as a researcher at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and part of its research Lab Intangible Lab. Beside his work as the CEO of the creative platform “The-A”.
Education
- Master of Fine Art in Design, Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, Qatar
- Entrepreneurial Studies in Creative Art, HEC Paris business schools, Qatar
- Master of Science in Architecture & Urban Design, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus
- Bachelor of Architecture, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus
Academic & Work Experience
Founder, The-A | 2018 - Present
- The-A Design Visualization Studio & The-A lab
Research Fellowship, Virginia Commonwealth University | 2022 - Present
- Conducting research for the Mapping Migration Memories project in the Intangible Research Lab.
Filmmaker, (in)tangible Lab, Virginia Commonwealth University | 2022-2023
- Served as a filmmaker within the prestigious (In)tangible Lab at Virginia Commonwealth University.
- Conceptualized, directed, and produced compelling films that explore the intersection of art, technology, and culture.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to bring visionary ideas to life through captivating visual storytelling.
Research Assistant, Virginia Commonwealth University | 2020-2021
- For the the Dean office. Sahara exhibition with the Dean Amir. Benton Museum of Art. US
Guest Lecturers and Gust Jury Member, Cyprus International University | 2019-2023
- Guest Lecturers on Master in Architecture Arch/Inar 501 & 502 Design Studios
- Series of talks in Virtual Reality in Architecture and Design Arch 470.
- Participated as a member of the jury for Master in Architecture Arch/Inar 501 & 502 Design Studios.
Academic Committees , Eastern Mediterranean University | 2018-2020
- Help Desk Committee Member, Architecture Design Studios
Provided valuable constructive criticism to enhance the quality of architecture design studios.
Collaborated with fellow committee members to review and analyze design projects, offering insightful feedback to students and faculty.
- Media Committee Member
Held a key role in the Media committee, responsible for graphic design and maintaining the department website.
Created visually appealing and engaging designs to effectively represent the department's activities and achievements.
Collaborated with team members to ensure the website was up-to-date and user-friendly, contributing to a positive online presence.
- Activities and Events Committee Member
Actively participated in the planning and organization of departmental events.
Contributed to designing engaging and memorable experiences for students, faculty, and guests.
Ensured that events were well-coordinated, aligned with the department's goals, and created a positive impact.
- Summer Practice Committee Member
Collaborated with Yeni Boğaziçi municipality on the ARCH190 summer practice projects titled "Design and Build."
Played a vital role in the planning, design, and implementation of the projects, ensuring their successful execution.
Worked closely with team members and the students to deliver high-quality results, meeting the projects objectives and faculty expectations.
Media Team Member, TEDxEMU | 2018-2019
- Contributed as an integral part of the Media Team for TEDxEMU.
- Assisted in capturing and editing high-quality audiovisual content, ensuring the seamless delivery of TEDx talks and performances.
- Collaborated closely with team members to create engaging promotional materials and develop a strong online presence.
Full Time Teaching Assistant, Eastern Mediterranean University | 2018-2019
Design and Studio-Based Course Assistant
- Assisted in Architecture Design Studios 1 & 2
Provided support to students in understanding design principles and concepts.
Assisted with project development, offering guidance and feedback on design iterations.
Conducted group discussions and individual critiques to enhance students' design skills.
- Supported the Process of Urban Design Course:
Collaborated with the instructor to facilitate lectures and workshops.
Assisted students in understanding urban design processes and methodologies.
Reviewed and provided constructive feedback on student assignments and projects.
- Contributed to Graphic Communication Courses:
Provided assistance in teaching graphic communication techniques, including sketching and rendering.
Guided students in effectively communicating their design ideas through visual representations.
Conducted tutorials and workshops on software tools used for graphic design in architecture.
- Supported Architectural Construction and Material Courses:
Assisted in teaching the fundamentals of architectural construction and material selection.
Demonstrated practical techniques and methodologies related to construction and materials.
Assisted students in understanding building systems and their integration into architectural design.
- Assisted in Digital Communication in Architecture Courses:
Supported students in learning digital communication tools and software relevant to architecture.
Provided guidance on creating digital presentations, renderings, and animations.
Accreditation Preparation Team Member, NAAB, Eastern Mediterranean University | 2016-2017
- Took a lead role in preparing visual videos showcasing department events and highlighting student achievements,
serving as a comprehensive overview of the department's activities.
- Directed and produced the main film for the NAAB accreditation team, encompassing all department events
and providing an in-depth look into the department's accomplishments, curriculum, and faculty-student collaboration.
- Managed the entire production process, from conceptualization and scriptwriting to filming, editing, and final delivery of the film.
Student Teaching Assistant, Digital Communication in Architecture Courses | 2016-2017
- Provided valuable support as a Student Teaching Assistant for Digital Communication in Architecture Courses.
- Assisted the instructor in conducting tutorials, facilitating workshops, and guiding students in effectively utilizing digital communication tools and software.
- Offered personalized assistance to students, addressing questions and providing guidance in creating visually compelling digital presentations and renderings.
Internships
Alsadd Consulting, Qatar
- Assisted in architectural design projects, collaborating with a team of professionals to develop design concepts, create drawings, and generate 3D visualizations.
- Conducted site visits and performed on-site measurements to gather information for design development and construction documentation.
- Assisted in preparing architectural drawings, including floor plans, elevations, sections, and details.
Santiago Calatrava, Qatar
- Santiago Calatrava Office, Qatar
- Expo 2020 UAE Pavilion, Dubai
- Calatrave’s Book, Spain
- Alsharq Crossing Project, Doha
Alwaha Contracting, Qatar
- Gained hands-on experience in construction site management, including monitoring work progress
ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and resolving on-site issues.
- Participated in quality control inspections, conducting measurements and assessments to ensure adherence to project specifications and standards.
Exhibitions
I Feel
- Forever Valentino-inspired exhibition at M7 | Doha- Qatar 2023
MetaMosque
- Prototypes for Humanity | Duba - UAE 2022
- MFA Show, The Gallary, VCUQ | Doha - Qatar 2022
Thobe and Abaya, a participation in “Melting pottery”
- Circolo Del Design & Munlab Ecomuseo Dell’argilla | Turin - Italy 2022
- Munlab, Ecomuseo dell’argilla | Cambiano - Italy 2022
- Rossana Orlandi, during the Milano Design Week | Milano - Italy 2022
- The Summer Gallery of Rossana Orlandi | Porto Cervo - Italy 2022
A Hi call for socializing, a participation in “Crossroads: Building the Resilient City”
- Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism | Seoul - South Korea 2021
Accept each other, a participation in "Future School"
- The Korean Pavilion at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition of La di Venezia | Venice - Italy 2020
Here is not here
- An art installation at the exhibition of the Faculty of Architecture, EMU | Famagusta - Cyprus 2019
Workshops
Workshop at Virginia Commonwealth University | 2020
Title: "Do not touch" .. rather than telling you, what if I can show you instead.
- Led an engaging workshop focused on interactive design and user experience, demonstrating innovative ways to communicate through touchless interactions.
- Guided participants in creating interactive prototypes and digital experiences that challenged traditional notions of user engagement.
- Explored emerging technologies and design principles together with participants to create immersive and captivating user experiences.
Workshop at 9th International EMU Design Week | 2019
Title: Design experiment in a relational context
- Conducted a design workshop that emphasized the importance of context and relationships in the design process.
- Facilitated collaborative efforts among an international group of designers to develop design concepts addressing social, cultural, and environmental challenges.
- Introduced alternative design methodologies and unconventional approaches to problem-solving, fostering creativity and critical thinking among participants.
Workshop for BIM Program, EMU | 2017
- Organized and led a comprehensive two-week workshop focused on Building Information Modeling (BIM) using Autodesk Revit.
- Delivered practical training sessions in modeling, rendering, and creating loadable families using the basic functionalities of Autodesk Revit.
- Provided guidance and support to participants, helping them develop proficiency in utilizing BIM tools to create accurate and detailed architectural models.
Workshop for 3D Max Program, EMU | 2017
- Conducted an intensive two-week workshop focusing on the fundamentals of 3D Max Studio program.
- Taught practical skills in 3D modeling, rendering, and provided instruction on the basic functionalities of the Mental Ray render engine.
- Guided participants in exploring the capabilities of 3D Max Studio to create visually appealing and realistic architectural visualizations.
Workshop for Advanced 3D Max with V-Ray Render and Introduction to Lumion | 2017
- Led an advanced-level workshop diving into the advanced features of 3D Max, with a focus on V-Ray rendering techniques.
- Instructed participants on using V-Ray to achieve high-quality rendering results and provided an introduction to Lumion for real-time visualization.
- Explored advanced lighting, texturing, and material creation techniques to enhance the visual quality of architectural renderings.
"How to Draw" Workshop, EMU International Design Week | 2015
- Help to Delivered a comprehensive workshop focused on fundamental drawing techniques and principles with Dr. Kokan Grchev
- Provided guidance and instruction to participants in various drawing styles and mediums.
- Developed participants' skills in sketching, shading, perspective drawing, and composition to effectively communicate design ideas visually.
Competitions
- Winner of Scale7 first Hackathon, fashion In-motion proposal, Qatar, 2020
- Participating in the first edition of the Building 4Humanity Design Competition, Portugal, 2019
- Awarded the best emerging design idea in architecture graduation project 2018, EMU
- Second award of a local design, competitions of housing villas design, Egypt, 2014
Awards, Honors, and Recognition
Certificate of achievement for conducting a workshop in the 9th International Design Week, titled "Design Experiment in a Relational Context," 2019
Certificate of recognition for organization and participation in World Architecture Day, 2019, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus.
Certificate of appreciation for contribution to the Honor and High Honor Ceremony, 2018, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus.
Certificate of recognition for organization and coordination of the New Year Celebration Event, 2018, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus.
Certificate of achievement for the best-emerging design idea in Architecture Graduation Projects, 2018, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus.
Certificate of High Honor, 2018, Faculty of Architecture, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus.
Certificate of High Honor, 2017, Faculty of Architecture, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus.
Certificate of High Honor, 2016, Faculty of Architecture, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus.
Certificate of High Honor, 2015, Faculty of Architecture, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus.
Recognition for contribution to the 6th International Design Week, 2016, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus.
Recognition for contribution to the 5th International Design Week, 2015, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus.