Tamer ElSerafi

advisor

Effat University

Saudi Arabia

Dr. Tamer ElSerafi is the Head of the Architecture Department and Director of the Master of Science… more

This project presents an environmentally conscious proposal focused on the pressing issue of urban waste management, particularly within the context of high-density cities like Shanghai. The concept of a self-sustaining “metabolic” architecture that collects, classifies, and transforms garbage into electricity and gas is both timely and socially relevant. The exchange of by-products for community services adds an innovative social incentive layer to the proposal, promoting a circular economy mindset.

The choice of prefabricated glued wood as the primary construction material reflects a low-carbon approach and supports the modularity of the design. However, while the technical concept is strong, the architectural expression and spatial articulation remain relatively underdeveloped. The internal organization, user flows, and visual identity of the building could benefit from more refinement to communicate the civic and educational dimensions of such a facility.

Overall, the proposal offers an ambitious environmental framework and a technically sound concept. With greater architectural sophistication and spatial clarity, it could evolve into a highly impactful urban infrastructure prototype.