ahmed hammami
student
University Tunis Carthage
Tunisia
Architecture
The Goulette in Tunisia is a charming coastal town on the Gulf of Tunis. Its rich maritime heritage dates back centuries, influenced by civilizations like the… more
Anna Papadopoulou
advisor
https://www.risd.edu/
Cypriot
My research focuses on the intersectionalities of architecture and gender, and on methods of… more
Ahmed’s drawings and visuals showcase a student with remarkable attention to detail, who can produce well-annotated plans, sections and carefully considered structural details. I particularly appreciate the aesthetic qualities of the proposed building’s form. Its sculptural presence on the streetscape seems to fulfil Ahmed’s intension of creating an iconic landmark while maintaining a harmonic relationship with the urban fabric.
As per the visualisations, the windows and wall openings create an intriguing light play. The project, however, would be enhanced if the pattern and form of the openings were further justified as part of a design strategy, e.g. passive solar practices, framed views, etc. At their current state, the openings on the walls seem somewhat decorative. Is the east facade treated differently than the west, or the north? What is the predominant wind direction in the area, and how has that affected the treatment of the openings? A sketch indicating bioclimatic features would be helpful.
The internal spatial sequences on the ground floor seem logical and spaces seem appropriately scaled according the building’s intended use. I would also be interested to see the floor plans of the 3rd and 4th floors, to see how these spaces adapt to different uses, users and their needs. Surely the layout of a library is different than that of a school. Not presenting the interior spaces of the other floors is a missed opportunity.
Further development of the courtyard feature would provide the interior spatial organisation a much needed element of innovation. The project description makes reference to a building with “its verticality and innovative design elements” but it is unclear where the actual innovation is. The project description mentions that the main entrance features a central courtyard, but unfortunately this concept seems underdeveloped. The idea of using an internal courtyard as a novel way to organise space and to create a less introverted building could be further explored.