Shadi Abdelsalam, Design Director and Co-Founder of Q3 Architects, discusses design philosophy, sustainability, challenges, and future goals
What is the guiding design philosophy at Q3 Architects?
Architecture | Science | Technology. Welcome to our architecture and urban design studio, where we seamlessly blend the realms of science, architecture, and technology to create an extraordinary customer experience. With a deep-rooted passion for innovation, we embrace the latest advancements in technology to redefine the boundaries of design. Inspired by Roman architecture’s timeless beauty and enduring legacy, our firm has embraced and evolved three key principles that have stood the test of time: beauty, structural integrity, and utility.
We recognise the importance of these principles and have reimagined them in a modern context, making them the driving forces behind our design philosophy. Our commitment to creating exceptional spaces is guided by three fundamental concepts: Quality Spaces, Quality Forms, and Quality Details. By embracing these three principles, we strive to create architecture that stands the test of time and resonates with the human spirit. We recognise that architecture has the power to shape our lives and leave a lasting impact on the communities we serve. Through our designs, we aim to inspire and uplift, creating spaces that fulfill their intended purpose and transcend expectations, becoming enduring symbols of beauty, functionality, and purpose.
Who are your key main clients?
Q3 Architects‘ key main clients typically include a diverse range of individuals and organisations, such as, Private homeowners, Commercial developers and property management firms for mixed-use developments and masterplans as well as educational institutions for campus planning, classroom buildings, and recreational facilities.
Our client base may vary depending on the region, the scale of projects we undertake, and our areas of expertise within the architectural field. Clients such as Azizi Development and Wasl Group in mixed-use and masterplan developments, Jumeirah English Speaking School and Sharjah English School in Education Sector and Heart of Europe The World Islands in Hospitality sector, all in the UAE. As well as a renewed master developer in Egypt such as M-Squared Development and Prime Development.
What are your favourite areas of work, commercial, hospitality, residential, or something else, and where do you find inspiration?
Our expertise mainly falls in the mixed-use and hospitality sector as well as the education sector and projects each offer unique opportunities for creativity and innovation in architecture.
In education building designs, we shape environments that facilitate learning, collaboration, and personal growth. Designing schools and other educational facilities involves considering the needs of students, teachers, and administrators while creating spaces that inspire curiosity, exploration, and discovery.
In mixed-use developments, we combine multiple functions such as residential, commercial, retail, and recreational spaces within a single project. We have the opportunity to create vibrant, dynamic communities where people can live, work, and play in close proximity, fostering connectivity and interaction.
Our projects involve designing spaces that provide comfort, relaxation, and memorable experiences for guests in hospitality sector. Whether it’s hotels, resorts, restaurants, or entertainment venues, we focus on creating inviting atmospheres, thoughtful amenities, and efficient layouts that enhance the overall guest experience.
What would you describe as your defining project—the one where you said, “Okay, I can do this”?
The JESS Arabian Ranches School project represents a significant milestone for Q3 Architects, serving as a testament to our capabilities and commitment to excellence. It epitomizes a moment of realization where we recognized our capacity to deliver exceptional architectural solutions.
At the core of this endeavor was our dedication to crafting an environment conducive to learning, collaboration, and personal development for the school’s students. Through meticulous attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the needs of students, teachers, and administrators, we conceptualized spaces that inspire curiosity, foster exploration, and facilitate discovery. Central to our design philosophy was the integration of WELL_BEING principles, aligning seamlessly with the core values of JESS and reinforcing our dedication to care, courage, integrity, commitment, and excellence.
The project posed intricate challenges, amalgamating diverse functionalities tailored to the unique requirements of the school. From classrooms to recreational areas, our team engineered a cohesive design that not only supports education but also nurtures community engagement.
This experience has reignited our passion for innovative architecture and underscored our commitment to making a positive impact on individuals and communities through our designs. It serves as a pivotal moment, solidifying our confidence and capabilities in delivering exceptional architectural solutions. Construction shall be completed in Q4 of 2024, marking the beginning of the realization of this transformative project.
How does Q3 Architects create a positive impact in the communities you operate within?
At Q3 Architects, our ethos revolves around prioritizing community impact through a meticulous approach to design and a commitment to innovation across diverse sectors. Central to our philosophy is the profound consideration of the customer experience, encompassing the emotions evoked by the spatial configurations, forms, and intricate details within our projects.
We steadfastly advocate for the well-being of project users as an inherent aspect of our design ethos. By prioritizing the holistic wellness of individuals within our projects, we inherently catalyze significant impacts within the communities we serve. Our focus extends beyond mere architectural structures; we aim to curate transformative experiences that resonate deeply with users, leaving a lasting impression on both individuals and broader community dynamics.
Moreover, our dedication extends to crafting immersive and memorable experiences within the communities we engage with. Our pursuit of innovation places us at the forefront of design, enabling us to deliver extraordinary experiences supported by cutting-edge concepts, scientific principles validating emotional responses, and advanced technology that affords clients the opportunity to preview and engage with our designs well in advance.
Whether conceptualizing inviting hotels, resorts, or captivating entertainment venues, our objective remains consistent: to provide unparalleled comfort, relaxation, and exceptional experiences that elevate the overall well-being of both community members and guests, thereby fostering a sense of belonging and enrichment within the spaces we create.
How has the definition of sustainability evolved throughout your career?
As awareness grew about the interconnected social, environmental, and economic systems, the definition of sustainability expanded. It now encompasses a more holistic approach that considers not only environmental concerns but also social equity and economic viability. We took this broader perspective that sustainable development must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs in all of the projects and communities we design for people.
In the realm of urban planning, sustainability pertains to the meticulous design and development of cities and communities characterised by livability, resilience, and equity. This encompasses ensuring access to clean air and water, fostering the presence of ample green spaces, and facilitating the availability of affordable housing options. Similarly, within the agricultural domain, the pursuit of sustainability revolves around the implementation of practices that safeguard food security, minimise environmental degradation, and foster social equity.
In the field of architecture, passive design strategies assume a pivotal role in shaping the built environment. By leveraging passive design principles, we are empowered to craft structures that exhibit heightened efficiency in their forms, spatial configurations, and architectural details. This emphasis seamlessly aligns with our fundamental commitment to delivering architectural excellence characterised by superior forms, spatial compositions, and meticulous attention to detail.
What are you working on currently?
Q3 Architects is presently engaged in the development of multiple communities spanning the UAE, KSA, and Egypt markets. Among our ongoing projects is the creation of The Island, an innovative resort-style masterplan situated within the Jumeirah District of Dubai, UAE, commissioned by Wasl Group. Additionally, we are spearheading the Azizi Venice mixed-use development project for Azizi Development in Dubai, representing a significant master development in the southern region of the city.
In KSA, we are actively involved in the realisation of a retail destination for Sulaimi Development in AlKhobar, capitalising on the burgeoning potential of this market. Moreover, recognising the rapid growth of the Egyptian market, we are successfully advancing two substantial masterplans in Cairo and Ras AlHekma on the North Coast.
How do you approach challenges and complexities that arise during the project lifecycle, and how does your team ensure successful project completion?
Our relentless pursuit of surpassing expectations and enriching our clients’ and customers’ visions, dreams, and lifestyles propels us forward. Each new journey with a client is embraced as a fresh opportunity to deliver unparalleled value and express our unwavering passion for the intricate interplay between architecture, science, and technology.
We are driven by the desire to offer more, going beyond the conventional boundaries of design and challenging the given briefs to create transformative experiences. With every project, we strive to elevate our clients’ visions to new heights, breathing life into their dreams and enhancing their lifestyles. Our approach is rooted in the belief that architecture is a dynamic blend of art and innovation. We seamlessly integrate the latest advancements in science and technology into our designs, constantly exploring innovative solutions to enrich the built environment.
As you think about the future, where do you see yourself and Q3 Architects, especially in terms of the architecture/design and your contribution?
Within our methodologies, paramount importance is accorded to human-centric design principles. We meticulously prioritise the enhancement of customer experience, attuning our creations to evoke emotions and resonate with the sensibilities of individuals within the spaces we meticulously sculpt. Positioned at the forefront of master development initiatives, we envision ourselves as instrumental agents in the realisation of future communities, underpinned by the fundamental tenets of co-living, co-working, and co-education environments tailored to the diverse needs of the populace.
Central to our ethos is the steadfast integration of this principle into our core design processes and ideations, positioning us as vanguards within the design landscape of the region. Our commitment to pushing the boundaries of well-being and environmental sustainability remains unwavering. Continuously, we advocate for heightened awareness among clients and developers throughout the region, elucidating the profound significance of the built environment and the intrinsic quality imbued within the urban fabric and spaces we conceive and they subsequently bring to fruition for the betterment of society.
