Interviews with Ahmed Habib
Designer profileDesign Interview
24 April 2019 · The Cube Private House
Conceptual idea was to explore the architectural relation between solid and void through addition and subtraction within a cube, creating a dialogue between indoor and outdoor. Floor plan design is based on 2 shifted masses creating an internal atrium (includes air conditioning system which will help to enjoy the garden experience throughout the year) and 2 external courts in the front and rear inspired from traditional houses. Shifting direction was chosen based on 2 aspects; Cultural and privacy obscuring the south side neighbors view & environmental, creating more natural ventilation & providing needed shade to the front yard. Regarding the inspiration, the two imposing stone walls that were inspired by ancient temples creating an approach with the moat like bridge to the house main entrance. The central black metal screen design was inspired by an Islamic pattern and external courts were inspired from Arabic traditional houses.
My main focus while designing this project was to create a quality living experience and redefine the image of a residential building in Kuwait while maintaining the climate requirements and privacy needs dictated by the Arab culture.
This Project is a private residence for one of our clients in Kuwait and was commissioned by him.
We are going to hire sub-contractors to assist us in constructing the building
I wanted to redefine the image of residential buildings in Kuwait. Most residential buildings in this region are typical and not up to the level of decent design standards.
Architect. Ahmed Albaghli
The name was inspired from the design concept as the massing was based on addition and subtraction within a cube.
Free hand sketching, AutoCAD, Sketchup, Archicad & 3ds Max
I think the idea itself is the most unique aspect of this design, by creating this relation between the internal & External Gardens, Bridge Entrance, the 2 Main Walls and the Cube framing.
Yes. The Design team was as following:
Design Director: Ahmed Habib, Assistant Design Architect: Sveva Salimbene, Assistant Design Architect: Mostafa Al Haj, Assistant Technical Architect: Anya Petrova, 3D Visualization: Oleksandr Bakhmatskyi and Presentation Graphics: Ahmed Guoshy
Design Director: Ahmed Habib, Assistant Design Architect: Sveva Salimbene, Assistant Design Architect: Mostafa Al Haj, Assistant Technical Architect: Anya Petrova, 3D Visualization: Oleksandr Bakhmatskyi and Presentation Graphics: Ahmed Guoshy
Technology is playing an important role when it comes to the construction of this design. The Curtain Wall system, the in/out pool with hydraulic platform, the laser Cutting Steel Screen and many more other design elements are based on building construction technology.
The Cube house Research abstract was as following:
1- Data Collection Research
2- Cultural & Social Research
3- Design Direction Research (Mood board)
4- Technical Research
5- Environmental Research
6- Landscape Research
7- Presentation Graphics Research
1- Data Collection Research
2- Cultural & Social Research
3- Design Direction Research (Mood board)
4- Technical Research
5- Environmental Research
6- Landscape Research
7- Presentation Graphics Research
I faced more than one challenge during the process of designing this project, for example:
1-The client requested several separate entrances with a high solid boundary wall where the plot is only accessible from the front.
2-Based on the data collection the Architectural design direction was very challenging It was a mixture of Modern & Luxury design with traditional accents using natural materials.
3-Height limitation, Setbacks & maximum Built up area was dictated by Kuwait Architecture Regulations.
1-The client requested several separate entrances with a high solid boundary wall where the plot is only accessible from the front.
2-Based on the data collection the Architectural design direction was very challenging It was a mixture of Modern & Luxury design with traditional accents using natural materials.
3-Height limitation, Setbacks & maximum Built up area was dictated by Kuwait Architecture Regulations.
When I design any project, I always try to focus on learning new technical things as much as possible, but on this particular project I learned that creating a good team with a positive spirit is extremely important.
Design Legend Interview
14 June 2019
Art & Music are my major passion since I was child. I came from a background were my father was a structural engineer, he always guided me to see things differently in my own way. I got my Architecture degree from Egypt where I learned how to integrate art & engineering, so when I design a project I think about how to combine all factors to help creating better environment.
Being a designer is like a dream come true
As an Architect, mostly I design architectural/urban projects. I prefer designing more Large Scale Projects.
Actually I am still learning new things everyday. However, my advise to young designers is to be curious about all details, keep practicing and never fear failure.
A design is good when it serves the purpose for which it was designed in a creative way while showing its own personality and characteristics.
Music Producer
For me design is the beginning of everything, it’s the foundation of life and architecture is all about creating a good quality environment and I believe it has a direct impact on human psychology.
Space, form, materials, colors, lighting, acoustics and many more architectural elements play a big role on the psychology and behavior of an individual.
Architecture is the art that can change the world around us.
Space, form, materials, colors, lighting, acoustics and many more architectural elements play a big role on the psychology and behavior of an individual.
Architecture is the art that can change the world around us.
Talent, patience and hard-working
As a designer, my ultimate goal is helping people having a better life by creating a better environment.
It depends, for example If it is an Urban Project with huge scale it might take up to 6 months excluding the needed time for technical details and drawings, but if it is an interior design project for a small space it might take 4 to 6 weeks.
At the beginning of any project I always start by planning the project time-line which make it much easier to manage the design process later on.
My Sketchbook is my best friend then I develop the idea using softwares like AutoCAD, Sketchup, 3ds Max and Photoshop.
Space, form, materials, colors, lighting, acoustics and many more are all design elements that effects the design process directly and I believe that they play a big role on the psychology and behavior of an individual.
Catching a new idea makes my day great. I always motivate myself by setting clear goals and work hard to achieve them.
I have always wanted to be a designer. I remember drawing my first architecture sketch for our new house when I was 10 years old. Art & Music are my major passion since I was child.
Designer Interview
22 May 2019
I have always wanted to be a designer. I remember drawing my first architecture plan sketch for our new house when I was 10 years old. Art & Music are my major passion since I was child. I came from a background were my father was a structural engineer, he always guided me to see things differently in my own way. I got my Architecture degree from Egypt where I learned how to integrate art & engineering, so when I design a project I think about how to combine all factors to help creating better environment.
For me design is the beginning of everything, it’s the foundation of life and architecture is all about creating a good quality environment and I believe it has a direct impact on human psychology.
Space, form, materials, colors, lighting, acoustics and many more architectural elements play a big role on the psychology and behavior of an individual.
Architecture is the art that can change the world around us.
Space, form, materials, colors, lighting, acoustics and many more architectural elements play a big role on the psychology and behavior of an individual.
Architecture is the art that can change the world around us.
Architecture, Urban, Landscape and Interior Design
There are lots of them.
Mosque Exterior Facade
Although there are new materials introduced daily, I prefer using Natural materials with the integration of new technologies.
For me, the design process is like a meditation. Mid nights or early mornings are the best when I have a peaceful environment around me.
When I design anything I always try to create a project that is functional, environmental, cultural & sustainable.
Actually each part in the design process has its beauty and unique feeling however, when I catch a new idea in my mind is the most exciting moment....
I feel proud and happy.
A design is most successful when it serves the purpose for which it was designed while showing its own personality and characteristics.
Functionality, Creativity and Sustainability
Design has a direct impact on human psychology which effects everything around us. Environmentally, I believe that the use of eco friendly, bio degradable, recycled materials is the need of time and future. At the same time, we need to adapt modern technology and latest design directions to stay in tune. As designers, we should be able to balance all aspects without compromising on function.
My advise to young designers is to be curious about all details, keep practicing and do not fear failure.
"Believe your self and your vision"
Talent, patience and hard-working
My Sketchbook is my best friend then I develop the idea using softwares like AutoCAD, Sketchup, 3ds Max and Photoshop
Managing my time takes time, at the beginning of any project I always start by planning the project time-line which make it much easier to manage the design process time later on.
It depends, for example If it is an Urban Project with huge scale it might take up to 6 months excluding the needed time for technical details and drawings, but if it is an interior design project for a small space it might take 4 to 6 weeks.
"How did you manage to do it?" or "How did you think about this idea?"
Mostly High end residential and commercial clients
Currently I am focusing to establish a strong network over places to exchange experience and design ideas.
It depends, sometimes I design the full concept and then handover to my assistants for further development other-times; we design a project as a team from the beginning.
People can contact me through my Email: ahabibx.86@gmail.com, Phone: +96550566442 or Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Ahmed.Sherif.Habib
Grand Interview
1 November 2025 · Oxygen Dubai Gym
The concept evolved from the idea of translating strength and resilience—core fitness values—into architecture. The use of industrial materials such as concrete and black steel was not merely aesthetic but symbolic of endurance. From the first sketches, we aimed to merge masculine geometry with urban sophistication, creating a monumental yet fluid structure. The design matured through a study of Dubai’s energy: a city where ambition and intensity coexist. The result is a gym that visually embodies power while fostering openness and community.
Concrete and black steel were chosen for their tactile honesty and structural expressiveness. Concrete reflects permanence and strength, while steel introduces precision and rhythm. Their contrast creates a visual dialogue between weight and lightness, roughness and refinement. Within the 6,500 sqm, materials become emotional cues—users feel grounded, empowered, and connected to the raw spirit of training. The polished travertine and glass balance the composition, infusing luxury and light into the industrial backbone.
The vision was to redefine the gym as a social and wellness ecosystem. The layout integrates restaurant, spa, shops, and outdoor pool to extend the experience beyond fitness. Each space encourages community interaction, from post-training gatherings to wellness rituals. By merging performance, leisure, and nature, Oxygen Dubai Gym offers a full lifestyle loop—a place to recharge body and mind. The design thus shifts from functional training space to a holistic urban retreat.
Light is treated as both material and metaphor. Expansive glazing floods the interiors with daylight, enhancing mood and visibility, yet deep overhangs, vertical fins, and double-glazed façades mitigate heat. Matte finishes prevent glare while maintaining luminosity. Privacy is achieved through layered transparency—angled windows and internal planting create visual screens. The architecture transforms Dubai’s intense sun into a dynamic element, animating textures throughout the day while maintaining interior comfort and energy efficiency.
The main challenge was aligning a bold conceptual vision with the client’s operational needs within an exceptionally short timeline. Designing across three countries—Kuwait, Egypt, and Dubai—required synchronized coordination among teams and suppliers. Material sourcing and façade performance under desert conditions demanded detailed simulations. These constraints ultimately refined the project: decisions became sharper, solutions more resilient, and every design gesture purposeful, resulting in a building that is both poetic and practical.
Cultural research revealed that in Gulf societies, fitness is intertwined with social connection. We translated this into spatial fluidity—open sightlines between zones, yet distinct atmospheres for each activity. Circulation patterns mimic energy flow: dynamic in workout areas, calm in spa and lounge zones. The spatial rhythm fosters inclusivity and movement, allowing users to engage physically and socially. The design thus mirrors Dubai’s cosmopolitan culture, where diversity and energy converge.
Sustainability was approached through performance-driven design. The building employs natural ventilation, high-performance glazing, and nano-sealed matte finishes to combat heat absorption. Locally sourced stone reduces carbon footprint. Green walls and shaded courtyards enhance microclimate and air quality. The industrial aesthetic becomes a framework for ecological responsibility—exposed materials reduce finishing waste, while honest construction expresses environmental consciousness without decorative excess.
The $30 million budget allowed experimentation with high-grade materials and advanced systems. We invested in smart fitness technology, automated lighting, and energy-efficient HVAC systems integrated into the architectural skin. The façade’s structural glass and steel demanded precision engineering, supported by BIM coordination. The budget was strategically distributed to balance performance, durability, and experiential quality—prioritizing sensory impact and long-term sustainability over superficial luxury.
The design choreographs movement between inside and outside as part of the wellness ritual. Large openings and courtyards blur boundaries, while the pool area acts as a breathing void that connects all programs. The flow of air, light, and sound transitions seamlessly, enhancing psychological comfort. Users can train in sunlight, relax in shade, or socialize by the water—each experience connected through continuity of materials and views. This spatial permeability reinforces both vitality and calm.
Oxygen Dubai Gym proposes a new architectural language for fitness—where raw power meets crafted luxury. It challenges the stereotype of gyms as purely functional enclosures by introducing emotional depth, material honesty, and environmental intelligence. The project sets a precedent for the Middle East’s wellness architecture: spaces that inspire ambition while offering sanctuary. In the luxury segment, it demonstrates that strength, sophistication, and sustainability can coexist within one architectural expression.
