Tina Najia Portfolio

TINA NAJIA
2019 PORTFOLIO

Tina
Walid Najia
Junior Architect
Citizenship:
American, Lebanese
Contact:
tinanajia03@gmail.com
+961 70 839 687
EXPERIENCES
Addresses:
Beirut, Lebanon
Registered architect
Alexandria, Virginia, USA
GRASSHOPPERS
Sept. 2019 - Today
CHALABI ARCHITECTS
Mai 2019 - Today
BALSAM MADI ARCH.
Sept. 2016 - Today
UN-HABITAT & SOSI
May 2018 - Feb 2019
SIRAJ NIGERIA LIMITED
June 2017 - March 2018
ATELIER MATTER
Fall 2016
DI-LAB
June - August 2016
RAED ABILLAMA ARCH.
July - August 2015
GHOUYOUM
June - July 2015
Part-Time Architect / LA, USA
Currently working on the design development drawings of a cabin and the
mark-ups for the permit renewal of an office space in California.
Freelance Architect / Abu Dhabi
Design consultant during concept phase of two supermarkets for COOP
Abu Dhabi. Developed 2D and 3D drawings for client presentations.
Part-Time Architect / Lebanon
Participated in projects ranging from product design, to the execution
of the interior of a cat cafe, to the management of public rehabilitation.
Site Architect and Design Consultant / Lebanon
Site architect of a public rehabilitation project and designed a prefab steel
kiosk commissioned by UN-Habitat in a historical heritage site in Lebanon.
Researcher / Lebanon
Worked of the research and development of the master plan of Gurku-
Kabusu, Nigeria smart city proposal.
Internship / Lebanon
Worked on a competition by YAC on a lighthouse touristic revival. Designed
Housing Units and an Exhibition space in Italy.
Workshop Assistant / American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Participated in the design phase and supervised the execution of a high
performance structural unit in a Syrian refugee school in the Bekaa,
Internship / Lebanon
Developed execution drawings, facade proposals and layout and
presentations for residential buildings and private villas.
Internship / Lebanon
Worked on the Makers exhibition participating in Beirut Design Week 2015
including the production and delivery of exhibited pieces.
EDUCATION
JUNE 2017
JUNE 2011
American University of Beirut / Lebanon
Bachelors of Architecture
Grand Lycée Franco-Libanais de Beirut / Lebanon
French Baccalaureate, specialized in Biology
SKILLS
SOFTWARES
LANGUAGES
Photoshop - Illustrator - Rhino 5 - Autocad 2D/3D - Revit - Sketchup
- ArcGIS beginner - Lumion
French - English - Arabic

ADAPTIVE RE-USE

Love/ Work Incubator
Laziza Brewery, Beirut, Lebanon

Project:
Year:
Location:
Type:
Program:
Final Year Project, Thesis II
2017
Laziza Brewery Factory Building, Mar Mkhael, Beirut, Lebanon
Adaptive Re-use
Mixed-use including a hostel, private rooms and duplexes
to rent / commercial spaces such as offices for business
incubators and a restaurant / public event spaces.
My final year project at university began by speculating on the programming of buildings already up for demolition.
There, I saw the opportunity in the time frame proceeding the demolition of these abandoned structures to create an
alternative narrative where the buildings can play new roles in their transition to rubble.
I proposed a parasite structure housing mixed-use spaces as an adaptive reuse strategy to an iconic building; namely
the Laziza Factory, first brewery in the middle east.
The factory, re-purposed into business incubators is juxtaposed under a hub for daters, urban nomads and displaced
looking to meet someone new. Dating is broken down into two categories: social meeting spaces and accommodations
run by a dating app.

Plans cut through roof level and mezzanine
The hostel bedrooms give onto a shared space serving on a daily basis as a restaurant and meeting space and on
certain occasions as a venue with the existing roof maintained as a terrace.
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Roof Plan
Mezzanine Plan
1. Outdoor Venue
2. Bar
3. Cafeteria
4. Waiting Area
5. Private Booth
6. Entertainment
7. Single Bedroom
8. Hostel
9. Multi-purpose/
Exhibition Space
10. Kitchen
11. Private Duplexes
Mezzanine corridor and core

Social Meeting Spaces and Accommodations
The social spaces/ semi-public form the horizontal core of the parasite; with spaces such as outdoor venues and areas
for more intimacy such as the vertical private booths. The accommodations were designed looking at the hostel
model using several typologies for more flexibility.
Parasite Integration in the Factory Building
First, the existing structure was used as a support for the new steel frame. Circulation and service cores were then
added to provide the mechanical systems. The new staircases were in continuation of the existing ones creating split
levels that allow visual connectivity.

Lighthouse Revival
Capo Murro Di Porco, Italy

Project:
Year:
Location:
Type:
Program:
Collab:
Role:
Lighthouse Sea Hotel Competition Entry
2016
Capo Murro di Porco, Italy
Adaptive Re-use, Heritage Site Preservation
Tourism Accommodation facilities
Beirut based Architect Carla Aramouny
Took part in the concept development, 3D modelization and
rendering and in the documentation that was submitted to Young
Architects Competitions.
original house
now outdoor exhibit
original lighthouse
now observation tower
Extending views from existing structures on site
Restaurant and terrace
1. Small Library
2. Exhibit
3. Outdoor Exhibit
4. Walkway
5. Lobby/Info
6. Cafe
7. Restaurant+Terrace
8. Individual Units
9. Sun Deck
Hovering Lodges

Horizontal Journey
The project seeks to start a journey from the lighthouse ruins down to the new program by the sea. What is proposed
is a minimal interspersed program, that considers the site as a place of rest and tranquility, with a deep connection
to the sea. The hybrid program of [hotel lodges / restaurant / exhibit / small library] is formed out of dispersed units,
with raised paths and walkways the only links between them.
The proposed design starts most and foremost with the trajectories of these conditions and with the axiality of the
existing lighthouse, focusing on a direct spatial and visual relationship between the new programs spaces and the
light-emitting structure where locals used to meet, live and work.
Site Integration
The program, as to interfere minimally with the site, is situated in two main pavilions and 14 individual lodges dispersed
along the edge of the site. The design of the different structures intends to have all the ground planes lifted off the
land, held up by a series of concrete immersed wall. The walls form the guiding pattern of movement within each
pavilion, and create the main structural support.
The beauty of a lighthouse lies in the fact that it rises high on harsh coastal lands, emitting astounding light and
signaling a warning for the end of the sea. The main axial direction it signals is one of horizontality.
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1. Lobby
2. Cafe
3. Restaurant / Terrace
1. Kitchen / Entrance
2. Bedroom / Living
3. Bathroom
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SOCIAL UPGRADING

Children’s Library
Kayani School for Syrian refugees, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

Project:
Status:
Location:
Type:
Program:
Collab:
Structure:
Materials:
Children’s library for Syrian refugees
Built in 2017
Majd Al Anjar, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Workshop for Social Upgrading with American University of
Beirut and it’s Design-Impact Laboratory
Library and Tent
UNHCR , Kayani, TRANSSOLAR, CCECS
High-performance structure, three-hinged arch
Wood members, steel connectors, sand-bag walls for thermal
insulation, MDF cladding, Gypsum Board internal finishing
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Design exploration following three hinged
arch structural logic
Structural details research to understand
forces at connections
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4.
Sand bag structure and waterproofing
using gravel for base level
Finalization of structure, roof ventilation
and sandbag wall system

Program and Structure
The idea of an educational facility came after looking at working hours of each of the 5 schools that we visited and
were studied based on daily and yearly basis which helped to serve in the understanding of our intervention. The
response was a library that can be used during free hours in order for students to do their homework in a proper
space since they cannot do so in the camps.
The structural concept originates from the three-hinged arch frame which was chosen due to its high structural
performance and its combination of wall and roof system making it more efficient. Sandbag walls were used for
thermal insulation. A 40 m underground duct provides natural geothermal ventilation all year long.
Frame Assembly, roof and shading structure
The members were cut, sand papered and partially assembled on campus, in the architecture studio. The seven
frames were then put together and braced on site. The metal connectors allow the library to remain a temporary
structure mirroring the status of refugees in Lebanon. One of the last steps in the construction process was to roof
the structure with plywood, waterproofing, insulation and corrugated steel.
The other chosen intervention in the Majdal Anjar School was a shading structure since the playground wasn’t being
used due to its continuous subjugation to the sun.

Prefab Kiosk
Fishermen’s Association, Saida, Lebanon

Client:
Sponsor:
Location:
Status:
Type:
Team:
Role 1:
Role 2:
Materials:
Sadia Observatory for Social Impact
UN-Habitat
Saida, Lebanon
Built in 2019
Pre-Fabrication Kiosk of Fisherman Santina
Architect Firas Chamas
Elaborated spatial needs requirements along with my colleague,
then developed drawings to send to steel manufacturer.
Coordination with steel prefab producer and UN-Habitat and
review of shop drawings
Steel, Sandwiched panels, Wood Louvers

PROFESSIONAL WORK

Terrain... a new supermarket typology
Salhiya, Abu Dhabi

Employer:
Status:
Phase:
Role 1:
Role 2:
Chalabi Architects Abu Dhabi
Ongoing
Concept Phase
Design Consultant
Was in charge of the architectural programming of the
supermarket in response to client brief and of the development
of a green roof system integrating skylights to maximize natural
light
Architectural Visualization
Prepared client presentation documents including 2D drawings
and 3D renderings using Rhino and Lumion
original plot and
building limit
new plot and
building limit
View from Park
Site Plan
View of Sales Area

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EXIT
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ENTRANCE
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Ground Floor Plan
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Basement Plan
1. Lobby
2. Sales Area
3. Shops
4. Food Hall
5. Storage
6. Unloading
7. Kids Edu-tainment
8. Parking
9. Mechanical

Billboard Supermarket
Abu Dhabi

Client:
Employer:
Duration:
Phases:
Role 1:
Role 2:
COOP Abu Dhabi
Chalabi Architects Abu Dhabi
Ongoing
Design Consultant
Design Consultant
Was in charge of the architectural programming of the supermarket
in response to client brief and of the development of a facade system
along with the false ceiling schematic design
Architectural Visualization
Prepared client presentation documents including 2Ddrawings, 3D
renderings and spacial mood boards

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1. Lobby
2. Sales Area
3. Coffee Shop
4. Back of House
5. Unloading
6. Bulk Storage
7. Staff
8. Parking
9. Garden
10. Mechanical
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Beirut Cat Cafe
Mar Mkhael, Beirut, Lebanon

Client:
Employer:
Duration:
Phases:
Role 1:
Role 2:
Beirut Cat Cafe, BETA Lebanon (animal rights NGO)
Beirut Based Architect Balsam El Madi
Four months
Concept, Development and Execution Phases
Architect
In charge of the space branding and design development including cat
play elements, 3D visualizations and material and furniture selections.
Took part in client meetings along with the lead architect. Developed
shop drawings and mood boards.
Site Supervision
Met with contractors and clients and supervised the execution of the
coffee shop.
WOOD STAGE SEATING
FLEXIBLE CLIMBER
SMALL COFFEE TABLE
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COLORFUL PILLOWS
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1. Lobby/Gift shop
2. Eating Area
3. Kitchen
4. Cash Register
5. Cat Buffer Area
6. Cat Litter Room
7. Restroom
8. Service Buffer Area
WOOD FLOORING

5 House Plot
Kuwait City, Kuwait

Client:
Type:
Phase:
Role 1:
Role 2:
Al Humaidhi Architects, Kuwait
Freelance
Concept Phase
Design Consultant
In charge of the concept and design development of the house
in response to brief. Submitted four floor plans as per request of
the client
Architectural Visualization
Prepared client presentation documents including 2D and 3D
drawings
LEGEND
Main Entrance
Elevator
Staircase
Reception / Dining Room
Guest Bedroom
Guest Toilet / Wash
Living Room
Kitchen
Patio
Service Kitchen
Dirty Kitchen
Basement Access Staircase
Male Staff Quarter
Pool
Garden
Shaded Parking
Sunken Pit
Ground Floor Plan
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
5House - plot 562
/ Tina Najia
/ Al Humaidhi Architects
/ Proposal
LEGEND
Elevator
Staircase
Lounge
Laundry & Iron
Junior Bedroom
Master Lobby
Master Bathroom
His Closet
Her Closet
Master Bedroom
Terrace
First Floor Plan
FIRST FLOOR PLAN