Pedestrian Crosswalks – Walk Friendly Life Is?
Do you agree walking should be one of the simplest joys in life? Walking should be one of life’s simplest pleasures—a chance to clear your mind, breathe fresh air, and reconnect with your surroundings. However, for many of us, this seemingly simple activity often comes with unexpected stress—and in some cases, moments of real danger. […]
Shall We Really Need to Develop How to Design Small Spaces?
I often come across articles about “How to Design for Small Spaces”—showcasing projects where people spend over $100,000 on renovations to transform tiny apartments into hyper-functional spaces. These designs, often in densely populated cities like Hong Kong, feature foldable furniture and ingenious storage solutions to optimize every inch of space. While undeniably impressive, they make […]
Context-Driven Design: Writing on Landscape
Do you agree that architectural design is about more than just creating buildings? For me, it’s about uncovering the stories embedded in the land. Every site has a narrative, and I see my role as listening, interpreting, and bringing that story to life through design. It makes me think: how often do the challenges of […]
DESIGN BEYOND FORM
Preface Why This Book, and Why Now Writing a book wasn’t an easy decision. The idea of putting my architectural philosophy into words felt both daunting and humbling. I’ve never seen myself as a design authority, nor have I chased glossy magazine features or prestigious awards. What I offer instead is a perspective shaped by […]
What is Common Sense to Architects and How Reading Books Enhances Common Sense
Common sense is often described as an intuitive understanding of what is appropriate or reasonable in any given situation. From my perspective, common sense is the ability to put yourself in another person’s shoes—to see the world through their eyes, anticipate their needs, and respond accordingly. This skill is indispensable in every profession. For architects, […]
Shopping Mall Design (9) : Breaking the Flow:
Lessons from The View Mall in Riyadh Have you ever walked into a space that seemed inviting at first, only to feel frustrated as you tried to navigate it? Poor design choices, like overlooked circulation planning, can break the flow of an otherwise promising space. During my recent visit to The View Mall in Riyadh, […]
What are signs of lacking Common Sense?
Common sense seems simple, yet it’s often missing in the workplace. For me, common sense is the ability to put yourself in another person’s shoes — to think practically, act responsibly, and consider how your decisions impact others. Here are a few signs of ‘lacking common sense‘ in the office: Common sense isn’t just about […]
Capturing the Soul of A City (8):
Where Will 3,000 km Take Us? The Path to a Truly Walkable City? As I continue exploring the concept of walkable cities, I find myself asking: how can we go beyond building pedestrian paths to create spaces that truly enrich urban life? Dubai’s ambitious plan to construct 3,000 kilometers of pedestrian walkways (link to the […]
MASTER_PLANNING: Capturing the Soul of a City (7)
Walking Through Design Possibilities: A Reflection on the Dubai Mall Metro Walkway: Walking from the Dubai Mall Metro Station to the mall is a 900-meter journey—roughly a 15-minute walk. While the walkway fulfills its functional purpose, I often find myself considering how this experience could have been made more engaging and dynamic. Currently, the path […]
Shopping Mall Design (7)
Wayfinding in Interior Design: Bridging the Gap for Better User Experience A crucial but often overlooked element in large_scale projects is the connection between wayfinding and interior design. All too often, I notice architects and developers treating signage as a standalone feature instead of weaving it seamlessly into the design flow. This disconnect results in […]
Shopping Mall Design (6)
Benefit of Curved Circulation Paths In designing shopping malls, I’m always drawn to curved_circulation paths and smooth edges over sharp corners, knowing that curved ones come at a higher cost. Even something as simple as the rounded edge of a balustrade can make a difference – sharper edges bring a sense of unease that doesn’t […]
Design Critique (4): Dubai’s Airport Dilemma
Centralized Marvel or Scattered Efficiency? Balancing Ambition and Practicality: Reflections on Dubai’s New Airport Design After reading recent articles about the transformation of Dubai’s new airport into either eight separate terminals or an ultra-large hub capable of housing 260 million passengers annually, I couldn’t help but feel uncertain. Both approaches are bold, but they raise […]
Shopping Mall Design (5)
Thoughtful Lighting Design. How Does Thoughtful Lighting Design Shape Our Malls? Lighting in modern mall design is more than just a practical requirement; it’s a powerful tool for creating atmosphere, supporting activities, and enhancing the overall visitor experience. In Riyadh, I’ve noticed that many malls favor darker, low-lit spaces, which can create a subdued atmosphere […]
Shopping Mall Design (4)
“Those Who Want to Be Loved by Everyone, Cannot Be Loved by Anyone” I recently came across an interesting point from the book named “The_Hyundai_Seoul_Insight” that I think we, as architects, can all appreciate. It suggests that the true success of a mixed-use shopping space often lies in resisting the urge to appeal to everyone. […]
Shopping Mall Design (3)
How a Parisian Department Store Became the Blueprint for Modern Mall Design Ever wondered why malls today feel like places to gather and explore, not just to shop? The roots of that design philosophy go back to Paris in the 1800s. In my last post, I introduced “Bon Marché”, the Parisian department store founded by […]
Design Critique (3)
A Lesson to Unlearn from King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) What Makes a Good Road Network and Efficient Pedestrian Passages? To me, successful urban development is about achieving integration, where architecture, roadways, transit systems, and pedestrian pathways come together to create environments that are functional, accessible, and inclusive. As the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) […]
Design Critique (2): How Should Modern Architecture Engage with Historical Sites?
As architects, we often critique designs, but how often do we share those evaluations openly? Today, I want to engage with you on a project near a significant cultural landmark in South Korea: the historical Jinjuseong fortress in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do. This fortress, dating back to the late Goryeo period, is a cornerstone of Korea’s architectural […]
Shopping Mall Design (2)
Did you know that the concept of the shopping mall actually started back in 19th-century Paris? It’s fascinating to see how modern retail experiences can trace their roots to the mid-1800s, when Paris was transforming itself into a model of urban innovation. Amid the city’s wide boulevards, new parks, and modern infrastructure, a revolutionary retail […]