Hisham Youssef, Aia Riba Email & Phone Number

Shanghai City, China

As Founding Partner, I am responsible for leading all design and ensuring a consistent quality in all projects. WE Design, is a multi-disciplinary architecture, planning and interior design practice founded on the premise that design impacts our lives, and that good design is transformative. The firm was founded in Shanghai. The partnership leverages the extensive experience of its partners both in the West and in the East. Cognizant of the increasing globalization of Chinese… Show more As Founding Partner, I am responsible for leading all design and ensuring a consistent quality in all projects. WE Design, is a multi-disciplinary architecture, planning and interior design practice founded on the premise that design impacts our lives, and that good design is transformative. The firm was founded in Shanghai. The partnership leverages the extensive experience of its partners both in the West and in the East. Cognizant of the increasing globalization of Chinese corporations and the flow of investment from China to the rest of the world, the design partnership leverage their international experience to provide appropriate and culturally sensible design solutions for our clients. Show less

Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

Selected by the dean of the School of Architecture, I teach undergraduate design studio with an emphasis on narrative-led design, rigor, critical thinking and communication skills. Consistently rated top instructor.SUMMER PROGRAM DIRECTORI was tasked to create and direct the first summer program for the School of Architecture in 2018 – a one week immersive curriculum with daily studio instruction and lectures focused on "Design Thinking" and “Process”. I continue to direct the… Show more Selected by the dean of the School of Architecture, I teach undergraduate design studio with an emphasis on narrative-led design, rigor, critical thinking and communication skills. Consistently rated top instructor.SUMMER PROGRAM DIRECTORI was tasked to create and direct the first summer program for the School of Architecture in 2018 – a one week immersive curriculum with daily studio instruction and lectures focused on "Design Thinking" and “Process”. I continue to direct the successful program, already in its 6th year.UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM OVERHAULSubmitted a white paper to the dean and department chair to change the emphasis in the five year studio teaching from typologically based to a narrative driven approach. The proposal was unanimously approved for adoption starting with academic year 2024/2025. Show less

Zhangzhou, Fujian, China

As a studio leader for year 3, the first admitted class to the school, I was responsible for a cohort of 90 students in the design of branded environments, addressing issues of user experience, market need, and communication. Student work is research based and emphasizes a rigorous process of design thinking and a critical process throughout. Institute of Creativity and Innovation, established in 2019, is a joint venture undergraduate program in Environmental Design between Xiamen… Show more As a studio leader for year 3, the first admitted class to the school, I was responsible for a cohort of 90 students in the design of branded environments, addressing issues of user experience, market need, and communication. Student work is research based and emphasizes a rigorous process of design thinking and a critical process throughout. Institute of Creativity and Innovation, established in 2019, is a joint venture undergraduate program in Environmental Design between Xiamen University, China and the University for the Creative Arts, England. Show less

Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

Teaching architecture design studio to undergraduate students. Jointly established in 2006 between Xi’an Jiaotong University and the University of Liverpool, it is the only Sino-foreign joint-venture university in China that is qualified to award double degrees as both a Chinese and British university. The architecture department has risen to prominence in architectural education. Fully accredited, in February 2018 it earned international validation from The Royal Institute of British… Show more Teaching architecture design studio to undergraduate students. Jointly established in 2006 between Xi’an Jiaotong University and the University of Liverpool, it is the only Sino-foreign joint-venture university in China that is qualified to award double degrees as both a Chinese and British university. The architecture department has risen to prominence in architectural education. Fully accredited, in February 2018 it earned international validation from The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA Part 1 + 2 + 3), the first institution to do so in mainland China.Despite only being set up in 2011, the architecture program at XJTLU has rapidly become one of China's most prestigious architecture courses, with students recruited from the top 5% in China's University Entrance examinations. "It is great to see that the hard work and dedication of the staff and students has resulted in this official recognition - underlying our powerful connections between the West and East," said head of XJTLU's head of department. Show less

Shanghai

As Principal, I was hired to start the Workplace group in Shanghai. As the practice area leader, I had the challenging responsibility for building the nascent group in the country, and lead all business development efforts in China and Asia. My responsibilities included working with many clients in multinational organizations across the Asia region, and coordinating with the RTKL worldwide network of offices and affiliate companies, including Arcadis, EC Harris, and Langdon Seah. Successfully… Show more As Principal, I was hired to start the Workplace group in Shanghai. As the practice area leader, I had the challenging responsibility for building the nascent group in the country, and lead all business development efforts in China and Asia. My responsibilities included working with many clients in multinational organizations across the Asia region, and coordinating with the RTKL worldwide network of offices and affiliate companies, including Arcadis, EC Harris, and Langdon Seah. Successfully secured a large campus plan and architecture for State Grid – project completed in Nanjing. Show less

Shanghai, Dubai, Tokyo, New York

In 1999, I initiated the design market for Gensler in Egypt, and led the consistent successful execution and project delivery of several high profile architecture and workplace design projects in Cairo by 2009 – this body of work remains Gensler’s only built work in the country, including an award winning project in Cairo for sustainability measures. Responsibilities included leading several design teams to ensure on time design delivery to the client and our local engineering partners, client… Show more In 1999, I initiated the design market for Gensler in Egypt, and led the consistent successful execution and project delivery of several high profile architecture and workplace design projects in Cairo by 2009 – this body of work remains Gensler’s only built work in the country, including an award winning project in Cairo for sustainability measures. Responsibilities included leading several design teams to ensure on time design delivery to the client and our local engineering partners, client negotiations and presentations, and on-site construction review and coordination. I also led several projects for international corporations in Asia, the Middle East and North America, including extensive international travel, and relocation stints to Tokyo, Dubai and Shanghai. My project experience includes pre-Design Strategic Consulting, bespoke Corporate Head Office buildings, Corporate interiors design and Workplace Planning, Mission Critical Facilities, Exhibition and Convention Centers, and Master Planning. Show less

Based In Nyc With Frequent Travel To Asia Pacific

I was responsible for directing design, and delivering client presentations in Australia, Asia Pacific, and South Asia. During my three year stint, I successfully completed 30 retail projects from Hobart (Tasmania) to Tokyo; from Surabaya, to Riyadh and many other locations. I developed a firm understanding of local design consultant capabilities in the region, local fabrication, and established many relationships with design firms, vendors and other related industry professionals.

As my first job immediately on graduation, I was hired by Rafael Vinoly, to join as a key design member working directly with him on the prestigious Tokyo International Forum project, a 1.25 million sf exhibition and convention center in the heart of Tokyo. During construction, I relocated to Tokyo for several months to work on-site directly with the design and construction team to ensure that the project execution adhered to the design intent. During my stint at RVA, I also participated in a… Show more As my first job immediately on graduation, I was hired by Rafael Vinoly, to join as a key design member working directly with him on the prestigious Tokyo International Forum project, a 1.25 million sf exhibition and convention center in the heart of Tokyo. During construction, I relocated to Tokyo for several months to work on-site directly with the design and construction team to ensure that the project execution adhered to the design intent. During my stint at RVA, I also participated in a variety of institutional projects and competitions including projects in Brazil, Japan and the United States. Show less

Bachelor, Applied Math And Visual Studies

Activities and Societies: Photography Editor, The Harvard Crimson | Member, The Harvard Lampoon | Junior Varsity (Squash and Crew)

Master Of Architecture, Project Work Selected For The Permanent School Archives. Teaching Fellow For Structural Design.