Mais Kalthoum
I am an architect with a Masters in landscape architecture (MLA) from the University of Greenwich in the UK and a B.Arch in Architecture from the University of Damascus in Syria. I am particularly interested in the design of public spaces and in large-scale planning.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
I have two years of experience in Agence Ter – France. During this period, I worked on a several winning competitions in the Middle East. I worked with a multidisciplinary team of 7 consulting firms on the “Core Heritage Area Concept Master-plan & Visitor Experience Design for the valley of ALULA in Saudi Arabia”. I was responsible for most of the design productions and the design of the final Master-plan. After winning the competition, we developed the second stage of the project “ALULA Core Heritage Area Design Concept and Visitor Experience – Master-plan 1”. I was responsible for the following tasks:
- Exploring The Nabataean Experience and designing new plots for private development, personal use and hospitality farm-stays
- Design inspired by Nabataean rock-carved architecture: Writing the criteria and creating the design code
- Landscaping inspired by ALULA desert and oasis landscapes
- Regeneration of existing Qaraqir Village, and creation of a new touristic Nabataean village with carved theater experience
- Concentration of facilities and events for visitors (day and night)
- Designing pedestrian-friendly – squares, narrow streets, low buildings
I was the project leader for the World-Class, Iconic Landscape Competition for the King Salman Park, in Riyadh, KSA. I was responsible for coordinating the multidisciplinary teams and relationship with the client (Royal Committee for Riyadh City – RCRC) and assisting the organisation of meetings and presentations to stakeholders and managing the design of the master-plan.
In addition to my experience at Agence Ter, I worked as an assistant Landscape Architect at Farrer Huxley Associates in London where I had the opportunity to design the masterplan for Himley Village EcoTown in Bicester, England. My work consisted of urban planning and design, including: designing roads, sidewalks and green spaces, and choosing materials, trees and plants.
Before studying Landscape architecture, I worked in Beirut and in Damascus as an assistant architect working on building projects in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and the Gulf countries.
I am fluent in English and Arabic and have spent the last year learning French.