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

The "Noor Residential Complex" identifies important urban challenges such as land scarcity and social fragmentation, offering a high-density residential solution that aims to enhance quality of life through vertical living. The inclusion of communal facilities such as recreational spaces, a sports club, and meeting areas at the basement levels is a positive step toward promoting social interaction among residents. The decision to utilize a concrete frame structure for reasons of cost-efficiency, fire resistance, and durability is rational and practical. However, the project overall would benefit from a much deeper architectural and urban design exploration: the spatial configuration of the residential units, the relationship between private and communal spaces, façade articulation, and human-scale considerations are insufficiently developed. Furthermore, while the structural choice is sound, there is limited exploration of sustainable strategies or contextual sensitivity in the design. To strengthen the project, it is recommended to integrate more diverse public spaces, enhance vertical and horizontal circulation experiences, and develop a stronger architectural language that connects the building to its environment and community.

Dear Tamer ElSerafi, thank you for your comments.