AE7 - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Technical Director
- Director of Expert Services and Quality Controls, Technical Director
Ahmed, currently Technical Director at AE7, has over 25 years of experience in design management with a majority gained in the Gulf area between Qatar and UAE. His expertise lies in design, site supervision/construction administration, and project management. Over the years, Ahmed has applied his simple, solution-oriented approach to a variety of project types, most in the residential and hospitality market sectors including villa complexes and residential and hotel buildings and towers. From fee proposal preparation to assisting staff with daily design issues and monitoring design production, Ahmed continuously delivers efficient and exceptional results.
Ahmed is motivated by the constantly evolving technology in the construction market. As these new innovations influence the industry in increasingly significant ways, Ahmed continues his research to remain up-to-date and apply the most relevant techniques to his design solutions. His leadership abilities, paired with his skills in technical design, quality control, and overseeing the specification department seamlessly align in this role. He most enjoys interacting with projects in every phase, implementing construction methodologies, and continuously coordinating with industry manufacturers.
Bharat is a senior architect experienced in whole design development followed through construction and excels in sustainable design implementation. Most of his experience lies in mixed-use, residential, and hospitality projects, as well as commercial and master plan developments. Across all market sectors, Bharat is most interested in the influence that technology continues to add to design and enjoys seeking solutions that meticulously incorporate these new demands.
Of all trends currently impacting the industry, Bharat believes sustainability and environmentally conscious design to be the most impactful. From the initial meeting with the client to crafting sustainable solutions that are tailored specifically to each site, he works with different concept options until he determines the best solution for the space.
Job Titles:
- Healthcare Practice Leader
Chris is AE7's Healthcare Practice Leader focused on building connections and long-lasting relationships. Chris possesses a unique knack for helping the client understand his vision for each project and visualize the benefits that it brings. His passion for healthcare design is evident from the very beginning of a project all the way through to completion.
Chris believes in leading by example. There is a unique level of complexity that comes with healthcare design, but by demonstrating how these challenges can be overcome through research, knowledge, and creativity, Chris inspires the next generation of designers to tackle obstacles head-on. His agile project management abilities and intuitive problem-solving ensure that projects stay on schedule and on budget.
As a designer, Chris is most inspired by his opportunities to make a positive change through designing environments that heal. Excellent patient care through operations that function at their most efficient is the ultimate goal and one that he finds immensely rewarding once achieved. Above all, Chris hopes to pass on the fun that he has found throughout his career. He encourages younger designers to approach projects with an open mind, try new things even if they fail, and ask as many questions as possible.
Job Titles:
- Director of HR and Administration
Flavy has been with AE7 since 2013 and is our Director of HR and Administration. With exceptional attention to detail, she effortlessly manages multiple, constantly changing tasks, all with competing deadlines. This ability to focus her attention and prioritize ensures the timely completion of all tasks, regardless of the challenges that may arise.
An excellent team leader, Flavy describes her leadership style as "leading by example". By emphasizing communication among her team, she upholds this ideal by ensuring the workload is appropriately balanced according to both skill level and time available.
Offering 10+ years of HR management experience and a proven background of successfully transforming disorganized HR organizations into cost-efficient strategic entities, Flavy is an asset to the AE7 team. Her strengths are best exemplified in her ability to build HR departments from the ground up. Working every day to manage 500+ employees in multiple locations and time zones, Flavy receives a great sense of satisfaction when she sees her teams motivated to perform at peak levels.
Job Titles:
- Head
- Principal
- Principal, Head of Oberhausen Office & Landscape Architecture Practice Lead / Marketing
Florian is a Principal and head of our office in Düsseldorf, Ger many. From luxurious villa gardens to large-scale master plans, he has a diverse range of project experience coordinating from concept design stage through the completion of construction documents. He would call himself an "all-rounder" who ensures that our project visions are successfully designed for the further construction phase. In his words, the aesthetics of a project can be impressive, but developing sound solutions that address the projects' social responsibility will ensure the project stands the test of time.
Client management responsibilities come quite naturally to Florian. His ability to bring different opinions to the table diplomatically and calmly listen to varying points of view is demonstrated daily. He invests his time in involving the right people from the beginning of the project through its multiple phases, believing that this mutual collaboration between the client and the designer ultimately creates a stronger, more valuable finished product. In maintaining this close relationship, Florian ensures that his design is wholistic, marrying the creative components with the technical and socially responsible.
Florian is a multifaceted designer whose flexible nature allows him to transition easily from project to project. He seeks to incorporate elements that create healing spaces for all people -a philosophy that is inspired by his volunteer gardening with the handicapped. Florian and his team in Oberhausen have added a new level of dimensionality and innovation to a multitude of AE7 projects that will leave lasting positive effects for years to come.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal Head of Infrastructure Board of Directors
Principal | Head of Infrastructure | Board of Directors
Head of AE7's infrastructure design team, Fuad has worked in the Dubai area for many years providing both regional government departments and strategic planning authorities with simple yet refined solutions to challenges. As one of Fuad's strongest motivators, these challenges push him to constantly explore new solutions and think bigger than "what has worked before." His solutions are rooted in the best value for his clients, offering flexible, innovative results.
Fuad's role is centered around building strong client relationships that are grounded in mutual trust and understanding. It is one of the aspects of his job that he enjoys most. Equipped with his holistic understanding of infrastructure design, Fuad skillfully leads his team with an emphasis on collaborative teamwork. He oversees coordination between all disciplines and authorities to develop the most efficient, safe, and reliable designs that meet the demands of each project.
He believes that patience is one of the most important qualities to master in this role, something he has demonstrated consistently throughout his career. He strives to learn more and more each day, as he recognizes that each generation comes equipped with new ideas that translate to unique, innovative solutions.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal Practice Director Board of Directors
Principal | Practice Director | Board of Directors
As Principal and member of AE7 leadership, George is heavily involved in the vision business plan of the firm including both short- and long-term planning. His excellent management and organizational skills complement a broad range of design, technical, and commercial experience that allows him to efficiently navigate projects through their different phases. Prioritization is key to George's success; he is regularly managing the staffing levels to avoid overloading one person or team. The timeline maintenance processes he puts into place ensure employees and projects stay on schedule and on budget.
George's slogan is "Get the job done, whatever it takes". He believes there are two types of people: those who want to find issues and those who want to find answers. George's rule with his team members stipulates that before asking him for advice, they must first have taken time to brainstorm possible solutions. They may not be great ideas, but it is the effort and mindset that matter. This mentality is one that George drums into everything he does, even preferring to use the words "concerns" or "challenges" rather than "problems".
Above all, George enjoys working with the other principals and considers them good friends. He is motivated by the positivity he sees in the AE7 culture and how different it is from the typical corporate world, such as AE7's open-door policy. The ability to oversee such unique projects alongside a talented and supportive team is one that he does not take for granted.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Chairman of the Board of Directors
Haydar Hassan is the CEO and the Managing Partner of AE7. Aside from overseeing the financial health of the company and securing a continuous flow of projects, he is primarily involved in the visioning, planning, and pre-development phase of projects. He is a hands-on leader, eagerly jumping into sketch, critique, brainstorm, review, and revise ideas for most of the projects in the office. His endless flexibility and excellent prioritization skills are vital as he switches from project to project, all at different phases and posing different challenges. He also leads project presentations to the client and works with his teams to balance ideas for developments with pre-feasibility studies and financial models, establishing designs that will maximize profit and best utilize existing conditions.
Haydar has garnered the respect of his team by insisting that they do their homework and produce their best designs in every stage of the project and in every aspect. He is adamant that this level of attention and care is how work should always be done. His design standards promote consistent growth of his team and create exceptional solutions for the client. Through his deep understanding of the client's perspective, he instructs his team to put themselves into the shoes of the client, listen to their objectives, and relay information with the "whole picture" in mind. Acting as the architect, developer, financier, and cost estimator, depending on what is required, is fundamental in building mutual trust with a client.
AE7 is built on the philosophy that great design is thinking in an unconventional way, one that is not limited by existing context and will stop at nothing to deliver the maximum development value. When you link individual components of a master plan accordingly, it transforms into a way of life. The world is no longer siloed; there is a constant blend of culture, people, habits, and differences. Haydar believes AE7 is a truly international company, one that combines these different components into one organization that fosters a sense of integration in communities around the world.
Job Titles:
- Director of Master Planning & Urban Design
- Dubai, UAE / Director of Master Planning & Urban Design
It is clear to all who work with Hugo that he has a true passion for master planning. He believes every new project is inspired by a multitude of different fragments pulled from existing places, past experiences, and client aspirations, all coming together to create a brand-new destination. Hugo maintains that the process of envisioning a day in the end-user's life, from the moment they step out of their home to when they return, is an incredible opportunity to utilize design & planning to improve all aspects of their daily lives from the beginning.
Over the years, Hugo has been involved in the master planning of several large, high-profile development projects, covering tourism, mixed-use developments, residential communities, and commercial market sectors. His ability to understand conceptual large-scale planning and detail-level design enables him to translate conceptual ideas into an unforgettable environment for end-users. His over 20 years of experience working with multiple design methodologies and tools has equipped him with the skills necessary to deftly change perspective and rethink a design until the best solution has been achieved.
Hugo most enjoys alternating between tasks, jumping in to help his team wherever possible. Whether he is helping with design, production, or sketches, the flexibility to step in as necessary keeps his days exciting and offers him chances to share advice with his colleagues. Hugo believes a successful leader guides with the intention and conscious effort to help others, something he exemplifies through his work every day.
Job Titles:
- Director of Structural Engineering
From the very beginning of his career to his current role as Director of Structural Engineering, Hussein has developed an extensive portfolio designing effective structural solutions and creative framing systems. A repository of structural engineering knowledge, he has garnered experience that covers an expansive range of skills and a deep understanding of materials such as reinforced and prestressed concrete, steel structures, and composite construction for high-rise buildings and other complex projects. His designs incorporate both his comprehensive knowledge as well as the detailed analysis that he conducts for each of his projects.
A typical day for Hussein's structural team involves determining the most practical and efficient solutions for a multitude of different projects. He takes pride in what his team can design and is always sure to recognize their hard work at the completion of a successful project. By giving the team his full attention, he motivates them to give deliberate care and consideration to their projects.
Hussein is adept at managing his team's projects from concept to detailed design. By keeping the time frame front-of-mind throughout the entire design process, he ensures his projects are completed without delay. He also takes care to stay updated with new international software, design codes, and standards, as he has seen their significant improvement in the past few decades. Above all, Hussein's creativity and design ability are motivated by the chance to see his projects grow through construction.
Job Titles:
- IT Director
- Principal
- Principal IT Director Board of Directors
As AE7's IT director, Ibrahim is crucial to the day-to-day operations of the firm. On a typical day, he is primarily involved with IT and finance, but after discovering his natural ability in business operations he has also expanded his role to incorporate various HR disciplines such as software and payroll. Operating several teams in different time zones presents unique challenges, but Ibrahim's flexibility allows him to balance these issues with ease. Having the opportunity to build relationships with people from all over the world is something Ibrahim considers one of the greatest benefits of his role.
Ibrahim's involvement in information technology (IT) and computers is professional as much as it is a passion rooting back to his early years as a student. Today, he hopes to instill this same level of passion in his team. Ibrahim's leadership approach hinges on delegation. He believes in training his team well so that they have the confidence to tackle new opportunities and leverage their existing experience to gain more. The relationships Ibrahim has built throughout his career inspire him to continuously elevate his performance and knowledge wherever possible.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal Practice Director Board of Directors
Principal | Practice Director | Board of Directors
As the Practice Director of US operations, Jeff oversees multiple offices and supports AE7's growth through the implementation of forward-thinking business development initiatives. Driven by his goal of strategically expanding AE7's national footprint in the North American region, Jeff spearheaded the opening of the Pittsburgh office in 2014. Throughout his career in the US and the Middle East, Jeff has gained the experience required to fluently manage the daily operations, team engagement and coordination, and delegation of key tasks to support the seamless functioning of the firm.
From the beginning, Jeff has placed importance on hiring the right people. While the proper experience and qualifications are vital, he insists that it is equally important to hire flexible, "up for anything" employees who demonstrate a strong desire to learn. Jeff strives to maintain an office atmosphere of engaged collaboration, ensuring that every employee has a say around the table regardless of experience level. Leading the office in this way allows team members to learn from a variety of diverse backgrounds, experiencing tools and methods they may not have been familiar with before.
As AE7 has grown in North America, Jeff has overseen an array of projects from all market sectors. His ability to coordinate multiple offices through his strategic implementation of management procedures, delegation of responsibilities to key members, and ability to make sound decisions align seamlessly with this role. His overarching goal is to strategically open AE7 offices across North America as he continues to expand the national footprint.
Jimmy brings over 20 years of experience delivering projects across an array of market sectors. He has developed skills relating to design and planning (urban and buildings), project and design management, contract negotiations, and value engineering. He firmly believes that the determining factor in any architectural design is being well-rounded and equipped with the right tools, an ideal he strives toward at every opportunity.
Having spent half of his career working for residential and commercial real estate companies, Jimmy has gained valuable background knowledge and insight that gives him an edge as a design architect. With financial experience as well as a comprehensive understanding of how economic factors influence real estate development, Jimmy approaches each design with a comprehensive perception that enables him to align his vision with the long-term goals of the client.
A significant portion of Jimmy's role is spent developing relationships with internal teams of senior staff as well as clients and stakeholders. He makes a conscious effort to work closely with project stakeholders from the initial stages of a project, which guarantees a seamless design process that captures the client's vision without going over budget or compromising on the most valued features. Jimmy's versatility and expansive technical knowledge make him a valuable asset to all of his projects.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal Head of Amman Office
As principal and head of the Amman office, Mahmoud is a leader well-versed in the value of employee appreciation. He describes his leadership style as "firm but fair", constantly encouraging his team to grow and, most importantly, share knowledge and experiences with each other. In his office, he believes it is the responsibility of the older industry veterans to pass on the insights they have gained in their careers to ensure continued success.
Mahmoud is most inspired by his work in construction. He loves being on-site and watching as the buildings progress. The project type, in his opinion, is less important than the way it is constructed. He is a skilled project manager with a keen eye for detail who genuinely enjoys a challenging project, particularly one that need extra attention to successfully meet the scheduled deadline.
The way Mahmoud works is the way he lives - putting his full time and attention into his projects, his team, and his career. He strives every day to put his full self into all that he does, as he has demonstrated throughout his career. From 2013 to today, he leads his office with a forward-thinking vision as he guides his team's growth and the office's regional expansion.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal Practice Director Board of Directors
Principal | Practice Director | Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate, Projects Design
As a Senior Associate of Projects Design, Martin is well-versed in handling projects ranging from small boutique designs to large urban planning developments. It is the variety of different projects that keep him engaged and constantly seeking the next new challenge. Whether he is using the latest modeling tools and technologies in his design process, working on business development, or thinking big-picture to design "lifestyles around destinations", Martin is skilled at translating the clients' goals for any space into concrete designs with practical applications.
Martin spends most of his time working on the beginning stages of projects, including studies. He understands the importance of getting these first few phases correct and works diligently to establish a solid foundation and set each project up for success. To Martin, the best inspiration is watching projects move from concept all the way through to construction. He has worked on numerous building typologies including high-rise buildings, retail, residential, commercial, healthcare, hospitality, and urban planning developments.
Communication and maintaining a collaborative mindset are skills Martin identifies as most valuable, particularly in this field. He is energized by the relationships he has built with his colleagues and works hard every day to maintain a friendly work environment that promotes teamwork.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Strategy
Marwan is a Vice President of Strategy at AE7 with a natural talent for networking and business development. His background in project management has had a significant influence on his current role as well as his leadership approach. He currently leverages his expansive network in the region to build relationships with potential clients and identify mutually beneficial goals that AE7 can facilitate.
If there is one thing Marwan is known for, it is getting things done. From early in his career, he has understood the value of gaining as much experience as possible both nationally and internationally, as well as the importance of building relationships along the way. He credits his leadership abilities to his background, where he first gathered knowledge and education and then advanced his project management skills through experience. This solid foundation on which he built his career serves him well as he takes lead in introducing AE7's capabilities to new contacts.
Marwan is energized by the social nature of his role. He believes that charisma is 70% of the job and is grateful to have been born with this natural ability. In every interaction, he aims to elevate his networking to the highest possible level. His depth of knowledge and experience combined with this innate knack for connecting with people persistently maximizes his impact in the industry.
Marwan is an energetic and proactive leader, who is experienced and well-rounded US licensed and registered Architect with over 25 years of global experience in the field of buildings and architecture.
After witnessing the massive destruction that war had caused in his home country of Lebanon, Marwan was inspired to find a way to contribute to its restoration, and that's how he was drawn into a lifelong journey in the field of Buildings and Architecture. After contributing to the design and construction of some mega projects in Lebanon in the 1990's (Beirut International Airport, Beirut Central Business District and Lebanese University-Main Campus), Marwan then moved to the US where he completed his Master's in Architecture and established a professional career that stretches over 25 years of diversified architectural work. His professional experience spans the fields of leadership and management, business operations, business development, project management, project development, construction administration, and closeout procedures. Marwan's experience also includes working on projects in multiple building sectors like healthcare, higher education, k-12 schools, science & technology, libraries, commercial, industrial, multifamily residential, and civic buildings in the US and the Middle East.
Marwan is an active member of AIA (American Institute of Architects), NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards), and is a LEED accredited professional with a LEED AP BD+C specialty. He promotes sustainability in building design and construction and the implementation of efficient BIM use in project design and documentation to provide clients with well-coordinated Building Information Models covering project scope, providing deliverables on time to schedule, and generating budget savings while mitigating risks and maintaining high levels of quality.
During his career, Marwan got the opportunity to work with renowned Architect Gunnar Birkerts on projects, including one of the most notable projects of his career, the Latvian National Library in Riga, Latvia. Throughout his career, Marwan has spent considerable time reaching out to new clients, establishing client bases in new areas, and diversifying the market reach. He possesses strong leadership skills in leading people and teams and is well organized in managing processes and projects. His core competencies include promoting efficiencies within operations including processes, resources and staff, project management, and project development. He has a strong belief in transparency, fairness, and collaboration across offices and disciplines, and he projects positive energy that focuses on finding solutions instead of blame.
One of Marwan's greatest passions lies in giving back to the community, leadership growth, and team development. He has dedicated countless hours to community groups, getting involved in programs that support college students' career advancement, food drives, and leading local youth groups in the US. Marwan asserts that leadership is not a position, but rather a perpetual influence that must be cultivated. His approach centers around the question, "How do I make my teams' lives better?". He believes the answer lies in understanding that each person has their own unique set of motivators, and everyone will be led differently. Marwan ensures that his team knows the "why" behind what they do, encouraging them to explore their own passions, and formulate their own definitions of success, while always saying "Yes" to growth opportunities that come their way. Marwan is a leader that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. His objective is to develop other leaders who grow the firm by raising their leadership potential and empowering others to grow into leaders in their own right. More recently, Marwan was drawn to AE7 because of the qualities he saw exemplified in leadership. He believes the AE7 way of operating, harnesses everyone's strengths and leverages their abilities to create a dedicated, harmonious team.
Marwan believes strongly in collaborating and working with others to continue to make AE7 the "Employer of Choice" for career seekers. He believes that this is done by the fair workplace environment supported with passion, an open-door policy and internal collaboration, and enhanced by the diversity and inclusion and the highly energetic culture of client focus that AE7 promotes.
Job Titles:
- Principal and Head of Interior Design
- Principal Head of Interior Design
Maya is a Principal and Head of Interior Design who believes that there is no room for an overarching theme in her work, no one "design approach." Applying one design approach uniformly to all projects ensures that the final design falls short of what could be. She believes that each project takes on its own unique identity and style and must be treated as the distinctive entity that it is. Her love of design stems directly from this belief. Listening in a different way allows her to translate a client's vision into something that they can see in front of them and experience for themselves.
Job Titles:
- Design Director Head of Bratislava Office
Michal leads the design team at AE7's Bratislava office and focuses largely on the early stages of AE7 projects, including conceptual design and master planning. He establishes and manages multiple design teams within the architectural studio that work parallel with each other. This allows the office to handle multiple projects simultaneously and deliver efficient and creative results to our clients. Michal oversees the design of these projects in addition to distributing work and coordinating with other principals.
Michal began his career working on hotel and hospitality projects, many of which were smaller aspects of large-scale mixed-use developments. He quickly became well-versed in the facets of mixed-use design, such as analyzing site parameters, building designs on logic and calculations, and combining client needs with the site environment. Today, he continues to hone his skills in the design of mixed-use developments and most enjoys the collaboration that these projects require. He believes the creative energy born out of this cooperation between disciplines pushes the project further than initially imagined.
AE7's methodology is closely mirrored by Michal's approach to design. He strives to deliver unique additions to his projects, flawlessly integrating the developments with the surrounding community and fostering convenience and accessibility. As he effectively guides his team to capture their unique design styles, he consistently delivers on each client's design vision.
Job Titles:
- Director of Construction Management & Administration
As the Director of Construction Management & Administration, Mohamed boasts a superb track record of managing a broad range of project types. His confidence in working with technical experts from any industry is a major asset as he negotiates contracts, manages budgets and schedules, analyzes progress reports, and tracks business development efforts. His proven ability to think critically, quickly solve complex problems, and supervise design excellence has given him a reputation for high standards.
Today, Mohamed's experience centers primarily around development, project, and construction management. With each project taking on its own identity, new challenges arise on a regular basis. One of Mohamed's greatest motivators, he welcomes these challenges as they offer new opportunities for growth. On his teams, Mohamed promotes continuous education and advancement and recognizes that as technology changes even year by year, the value in being exposed to as many new experiences as possible cannot be overstated.
On Mohamed's team, nobody succeeds alone. Collaboration and synergy among his colleagues are paramount, which is why he operates under an "open door policy". He is adept at delegating responsibilities, remaining accessible for questions, and most importantly, fostering a sense of trust among his team. His focus on perfecting the project management process, along with the care and attention he gives to the development of his team, will continue to drive him forward as he progresses in his career and takes on increasingly complex projects.
Job Titles:
- Director of Legal and Contracts
Throughout Mohammad's experience in contract administration, he has worked in a variety of project types, including high-rise buildings, hotels, corporate offices, and residential buildings. Through this experience, he realized that his background in contractual administration could be beneficial to successfully manage the construction process and contribute to successful projects from the initial stage to the final delivery. Today, he uses this knowledge to protect the company from potential risk and liability, provide the best possible return on projects, and maintain a positive and robust reputation in the market.
On top of managing construction projects, Mohammad regularly addresses contractual issues, disputes, and claims to ensure a seamless construction process. He is a knowledgeable decision maker who strives to define his goals according to AE7's strategy and then prepare an appropriate plan to maximize the desired results.
One of Mohammad's primary goals is to create a positive working environment for his teams while providing the required support for them to reach their goals. He regularly monitors his team's performance and ensures they are working efficiently, boosting productivity and product quality. His distinguished problem-solving and analytical skills paired with his time management and communication tactics optimize client satisfaction, making him an asset to any project team.
Job Titles:
- Director of Electrical Engineering
Mohammad has spent more than half of his career working with various high-rise, commercial, residential, and hospitality projects. Today, most of his focus centers around the design and construction phases of a variety of different project types. Spearheading strategic engineering planning and tracking projects comes naturally to Mohammad. Whether he is establishing budgets, allocating resources, or providing technical guidance to the engineering design and site teams, he meticulously sifts through project parameters to identify ways to improve cost efficiency, always prioritizing client-specific needs.
Mohammad most enjoys projects involving healthcare buildings and mixed-use commercial buildings such as malls, sports arenas/stadiums, schools, and skyscrapers. These project types offer new opportunities to use electricity in innovative ways while ensuring safety and reducing utility costs. He enjoys building relationships with clients, especially those who are equally excited to create an exceptional final product. Mohammad's approach with his clients is to communicate clearly, timely, and consistently throughout the project. He accomplishes this by setting agendas and recording meeting minutes, establishing open lines of communication, and encouraging them to be forthcoming with their opinions from day one. Setting realistic expectations of what and how they are going to deliver ensures the client receives outstanding results.
Aside from ensuring his team has the necessary resources to achieve their work goals, Mohammad also strives to give consistent and helpful feedback, maintain an honest line of communication, and regularly meet with his team individually to discuss team dynamics. He believes leading in this way is the most efficient path to continuously delivering successful projects. Paired with his strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and capacity to remain level-headed in high-pressure situations, Mohammad is an exceptional addition to any project team.
Mohammed is a Design Director at AE7 with a primary focus on hospitality and residential projects. His designs are driven by his passion for unlocking each project's full potential. He skillfully manages the constantly evolving dynamics between project location and existing context, clients' visions, and end-user experiences. Mohammed strives to ensure that clients are not only satisfied with their end results, but also excited and actively involved in the design process.
Mohammed's success is derived from exceeding expectations in completing assignments, designing projects, managing his team, and collaborating with clients. His approach focuses on meeting high standards while building relationships with clients and his team. He believes mutual respect is vital in establishing close relationships and is grateful to have such a supportive and motivated team. His excellent leadership skills help him achieve success by listening closely to others' needs and goals and leveraging his problem-solving abilities to pull from past experiences and apply them to current challenges.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate BIM Technologies
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Middle East Projects
Paul excels at creating destinations that foster a sense of place and encourage community growth. He believes that a successful development is rooted in an understanding of the program, site context, and climate. Throughout his career, he gained experience in program management and strategic visioning, for projects large and small. As the Vice President of Middle East Projects, Paul brings his global background, extensive portfolio of work, and personable approach to help AE7's growth in the Middle East, specifically in Saudi Arabia.
Philip is a Principal in our Pittsburgh office focused on leading teams that design complex master plans and retail destinations that attract residents and visitors alike. His ability to evaluate the existing characteristics of a site and assess its compatibility with the program allows him to design careful phasing and scalability strategies that save developers time and money.
For Philip, the multi-faceted nature of each master plan development is both the appeal and the challenge. The surroundings, goals, and aspirations of the client and experience of an individual in the space must seamlessly come together to cultivate a modern and desirable new destination. Understanding this from day one and designing precise project phases to hit these targets is where Philip excels in his design work.
Philip thrives at working with an array of clients, whether they come with a "blank slate" or specific goals for their space. He views each destination as an exciting new challenge, carefully collaborating with each client to add new features that add long-term value. In his words, the AE7 difference is our ability to see the potential in a project and constantly vision with the client to transform their space in ways they had not originally thought to be possible.
Principal | Director of Engineering | Board of Directors
Between meeting with potential clients, overseeing proper resource and staff allocation, negotiating scope, deliverables, and fees with new clients, and guiding AE7's global growth, Shef is always willing to roll up his sleeves and step in wherever necessary. He is known to regularly check in with authorities' engineers to discuss their latest codes and standards and visit construction sites to observe contractors' progress and quality of work. He finds himself drawn to clients and team members with a passion and vision for positive impact. His most exciting projects are the ones that at first glance seem impossible to achieve. Shef's dynamic portfolio includes engineering healthcare facilities, hotels and resorts, retail, educational, residential, and commercial developments throughout North America and the Middle East. Since joining AE7 in January of 2015, Shef has worked closely with his in-house architects on many prominent projects including the Imperial College of London Diabetes Center, Abu Dhabi Military Hospital, Five Luxe Hotel, Palm 360, Entisar Tower, Deira Island, Al Fatan Towers and Meydan One Mall. Shef believes in empowering employees by ensuring he has the right people in the right positions. He allows his team ample room to manage their projects on their own, but always encourages them to come to him for consultation. His ability to speak to his staff as an engineer first and as a manager second facilitates an intellectual dialogue that yields productive results. With upwards of 35 years in the industry, he easily addresses technical issues that arise and crafts creative yet practical solutions. Passing on this knowledge to the next generation is very important to Shef. He understands that these younger architects and engineers are the future leaders of AE7.
Job Titles:
- Director of Graphic Design
Siji is a Director of Graphic Design at AE7. Initially drawn to the field by his passion for construction and graphics, he has honed his natural creativity through comprehensive experience and now uses his knowledge to efficiently manage his design team. With each new design, he paints detailed pictures of the projects in his mind and effortlessly translates them into a visual reality.
Siji's daily functions include coordinating with managers from all AE7 offices, determining their project needs, and assigning design work to his team accordingly. He is also heavily involved in final postproduction, verifying the proper quality of the graphics and animations before sending them to clients. Siji is an excellent multi-tasker, sometimes juggling 20-30 projects at a time. It's challenging work that takes patience, but it also builds confidence and allows him to become a better leader. He has a genuine passion for renderings and animation reality and believes that the best reward is continuously delivering final designs of exceptional quality.
Job Titles:
- Director of Mechanical Engineering for Our Dubai
Srinivasa is the Director of Mechanical Engineering for our Dubai office. His experience spans a wide range of project types including residential, hospitality, mixed-use, tall towers, and sustainable design. His comprehensive knowledge of building codes pertaining to construction methods and procedures and the design of HVAC, plumbing, and firefighting systems has allowed him to manage projects of all sizes and styles with strict adherence to even the most complex budgets and schedules.
With a keen eye for spotting and troubleshooting project bottlenecks, Srinivasa has a proven ability to manage staffing levels to properly execute the requirements as per the project schedule. He monitors the quality of work through the review and approval of shop drawings, material, equipment selection, and calculations, as well as regular coordination and progress meetings with the contractor. His detail-oriented and measured approach to project management continually delivers final products of commendable quality and efficiency.
Tamer is a design director at AE7 with a background most prominently involving hospitality, mixed-use, and public realm projects. He demonstrates intricate knowledge of architectural practices as he oversees projects of various scales, styles, budgets, and timelines. His creativity and practical understanding of structure and materials help him to develop projects from their inception to the concept stage, all the way through the final construction and realization of the project.
Context is the driving force behind Tamer's design creation. As he leads his design team, he stresses the importance of forming a multifaceted understanding of the existing site context. This involves a lot of trial and error, research, and a natural curiosity, but always delivers a superior final product that encourages the public to visit and fully utilize the space.
Tamer considers himself incredibly lucky to be able to work on projects of this scale and prestige on a regular basis. Each new project offers a significant opportunity for growth, requiring rigorous work and practiced skills. Above all, Tamer says that he is building for the people, and values the chance to leave so many lasting contributions behind in the process.
Job Titles:
- Projects / Practice Director
Teresa is a Principal at AE7 who thrives in a collaborative environment, working with internal teams, consultants, clients, and contractors at various project phases. At any given time, she can be found having an impromptu design discussion, leading a consultant coordination meeting, or presenting a new concept design to a client. While these constantly evolving responsibilities involve a varying degree of design and problem-solving proficiency, Teresa navigates them with ease.
Teresa draws her inspiration from an array of past experiences that change with each project. Whether it is an urban environment, wooded site, run-down building, or historical structure, each opportunity comes with a program, function, and group of people who need to operate in those physical circumstances. She believes connecting these people with their environment is the ultimate inspiration, as well as transforming the spaces in which they work, play, and live.
Job Titles:
- Design Principal
- Principal Design Director Board of Directors Managing Director AE7 KSA Office
Tomas Gulisek is a Design Principal at AE7. His unique insight into integrating design and technology provides a distinctive quality to all of his projects. As the go-to guy of AE7, he has an uncanny ability to digest and instantly comprehend problems and craft sensitive and focused solutions. Tomas is an internationally recognized designer who has worked in the US, Europe, and MENA. His strength lies in the diverse range of projects he has worked on, from residential and commercial to healthcare and higher education.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate BIM Technologies
Job Titles:
- Executive Director AE7 KSA
- Executive Director of AE7 's Riyadh
Yusra is Executive Director of AE7's Riyadh office, overseeing at the highest level all KSA-based projects and proposals from both a managerial and technical standpoint. She is also responsible for building relationships with current and future clients. Yusra enjoys the challenge of integrating different disciplines, work streams, and stakeholders into thoughtfully designed, cohesive urban projects.
KSA is undergoing unprecedented urban development. Yusra has witnessed first-hand as the country's focus has shifted toward urban regeneration, sustainable practices such as environmental conservation and rehabilitation, and the establishment of an architectural identity that embodies a contemporary interpretation of traditional architecture and building techniques. These trends have influenced new ways to elevate the quality of life, provide open spaces for entertainment, mobility, and tourism, and most importantly, impact the conception and design of new real estate developments.
Yusra's management style is fair but firm, promoting a positive work environment that is flexible depending on context and situation. Prioritizing collaboration is paramount in her office, as well as giving due credit to every member of the team. She empowers her staff to deliver quality experiences for all within the built environment, regardless of project complexity. She hopes to instill in others the same passion that she holds for developing KSA projects, inspiring them to expand the business, connect with new clients, and advocate for the preservation of the country's architectural identity.
Job Titles:
- Design Director
- Dubai, UAE / Design Director
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate Marketing and Branding