Mr Kamal Haddad

Research student

I am a PhD student at the Welsh school of Architecture at Cardiff University with a focus on studying sustainable materials in general and cob in particular. My current research mainly concerns bio-stabilizing sustainable art-based construction materials to achieve better structural and hygrothermal performance in order to improve the thermal comfort perception of users within small housing units in Jordan. Besides, I am a holder of a Masters of Science degree in Computational Methods in architecture with a distinction from the Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University since 2020. In 2017, I have received my BSc degree in architectural engineering from Al-Ahliyya Amman University in Jordan with an Excellent grade. My research interests are currently focused on optimising sustainable building materials, environmental experimentation and simulation, in addition to building energy and thermal models. My non-research interests are mainly concerned with game development and programming.

PhD in Architecture (2021-Present)

Title: Optimising The Hygroscopic, Thermal And Structural Performances Of Sustainable Bio-Based Earthen Materials: Cob As A Case Study

Aim: To develop and optimise building materials and geometry to be used in sustainable, hygrothermally comfortable, and structurally stable housing units in Jordan.

Research Projects

Resarch Assistant in Sensing the living lab project. The role involved collecting literature review on different living lab case studies in order to improve the facilities at the Welsh School of Architecture.

Current research interersts involve:

Sustainable Materials Optimisation
Energy Modelling
Indoor and Outdoor Thermal Comfort Studies

Thesis

Optimising The Hygroscopic, Thermal And Structural Performances Of Sustainable Bio-Based Earthen Materials: Cob As A Case Study

Thesis Title: Optimising The Hygroscopic, Thermal And Structural Performances Of Sustainable Bio-Based Earthen Materials: Cob As A Case Study

Research Aim: To develop and optimise building materials and geometry to be used in sustainable, hygrothermally comfortable, and structurally stable housing units in Jordan.

Research Scope: This research investigates the development of a structurally stable and hygrothermally enhanced cob materials to apply in dwellings. Specifically, this research studies the effects of characteristics of optimised cob mixes, and the geometric shape on creating an environment that assures thermal comfort to its users.

Funding sources

The research is funded by Amman Arab University in Jordan.

Teaching Assistant at the Welsh School of Archiotecture, Cardiff University since 2021

Teaching Assistant for MSc students at Computational Methods in Architecture
- Computational Form Finding: The role included giving anumber of tutorials as well as giving feedback to students.

- Computational Design for Fabrication: The role included giving a number of tutorials and workshops on robotic printing.
Teaching Assistant For BSc Architecture students at WSA:
- Architectural Technology 3: The role included giving a number of tutorials on the different technological aspects in architecture as well as assisting in different excersises that were moderated by the module leader. Besides, the role included giving a number of talks, lectures and workshops on sustainable construction and energy assissment in the built environment.
- Design Skills: The course is an integration between design studios and technology applications for second year architectural students. The role included giving workshops that are mainly focused on lighting design and giving appropriate feedback.
Guest MSc sustainable Mega Buildings course which included giving feedback and guidance to students on their work.
Assisted in different workshops as a student amabassador for primary schools students. The role involved introducing the discipline of Architecture to children along with a number of activities.

Teaching Assistant at Al-Ahliyya Amman University

Lead Coordinator and teaching assistant for Graduation Projects of Architectural Engineering students: The role included giving a number of tutorials on the different technological aspects in architecture while considering the production of an aestahtically successful and functionally efficient designs. Besides, the role included giving a number of talks, lectures and workshops on the architectural and technological aspects of architectural design.
Teaching Assistant for Urban Design Modules: The role involved supervising and giving anumber of tutorials on successful urban design for different challenging areas in Jordan. The role has also including providing feeedback and evaluating the performance of the students.

Education

2021 - Present: Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture, Cardiff University

2019-2020: Master's of Science degree in Computational Methods in Architecture, Cardiff University

2012 - 2017: Bachelor of Science in Architectural Enguineering, Al-Ahliyya Amman University

Work Experience

2022-2023: Research Assistant at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University

2021 - Present: Teaching Assistant at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University

2019: Teaching Assistant and Lab Supervisor at Al-Ahliyya Amman University

2017- 2019: Free Lancing Architectural Designer and Advertising Consultant

2016: Architect Intern at Arabtech Jardaneh firm, Jordan

Trainings and Cerifications

2019

Revit Architecture Certified Professional Authorised by Autodesk

Revit Architecture Modelling and Organic Architecture (78 hours training) Authorised by Pioneers Academy

Revit Architecture and Conceptual Massing Certification Awarded by Pearson.

Smart Technologies: Virtual Reality (VR) Workshop Authorised by Jordan Engineers Assosiation

Smart Cities Workshop Authorised by Jordan Engineers Assosiation

2018

Construction Supervision Training Program (30 hours training) Authorised by Swiss Agency for Development and Jordan Engineers Assosiation

2015 - 2017

Mastering Autodesk Workshop Authorised by Pioneers Academy

King Abdullah II Fund for Development and LOYAC Foundation Training

Autodesk certification in 3Ds Max in Architectural and Interior Visualisation

Skills

Environemntal and Energy Modelling
- DesignBuilder
- Ladybug Tools (Ladybug, Honeybee, Dragonfly)
- VELUX daylight visualiser
- Autodesk Insight
Computational Modelling and Scripting
- Grashopper
- Dynamo
- Houdini
- Python Scripting
- C# Scripting
- Python for Data Analytics
Architectural, Urban and Interior Tools
- Autodesk Revit
- Autodesk 3Ds Max
- Google Sketchup
- Rhino
- Blender
- QGIS
Rendering and Visualistaion
- Unreal Engine
- Unity
- Lumion
- Twin Motion
- Vray rendering
Image and Video Editing
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Premier Pro
- Final Cut Pro