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Firas Al Saidi

Firas Al Saidi

Calgary, AB, CA

 

About 

I graduated from BAU (Beirut Arabic University) with a Bachelor of Architectural Engineer degree 17 years ago and has worked in different architectural directions, Design, Construction, Coordination In Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Canada.

My pride project is Burj Khalifah Tower in Dubai, the tallest tower in the world, I was the senior architect from the main contractor side. responsible for the shop drawing coordination.

Beside my love for architecture, I do love art (Oil painting, Glass Painting and sculpture) and some sports like ( Biking, walking, hiking, body building),reading & Photography.

Elsewhere:

Employment 

Icon West Construction Corp., Calgary, AB, CA, Senior Project Coordinator

Project: Telus Sky Tower (the tallest residential tower in Calgary)
Cost: 440 Million CAD

Mixed use 60-storey development (tallest residential locally), TELUS Sky is a new architectural landmark in Calgary’s downtown core - one of the most technologically innovative and environmentally friendly sites in North America.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage all construction activities on finishes with adequate authority within the ICON West Management function.
• As an acting Project Manager for the residential floors, I handle day-to-day decision making within the span of control and accountability using resources as required.
• Prepare and issue tendering documents, purchase orders, letter of intent, tender analyses, recommendation letters and preparation/drafting of the contract.
• Manage, monitor and correct day-to-day project construction to ensure compliance with the master schedule, control budget, and contract document.
• Create and maintain good relations and communications between corporate team members, client team members, civic officials and the public in accordance with responsibilities and duties common to all managers.
• Manage logging and distribution of drawings, specifications, shop drawings, site instructions, change orders, consultant reports and RFI’s (Request for Information) in accordance with standard procedures using Procore as the Construction Management software of the project.
• Conduct site visits and field inspection on a regular basis to ensure compliance with the contractual agreement, requirements and revised drawings as they get updated.
• Authorize and process prime and subcontracts, change orders, pricing and update on control sheet when needed.
• Act as the point of contact and communicate project status to all participants.
• Assemble all required submission relating to occupancy requirements and convey them to the project consultants.
• Ensure timely project close-out and occupancy of the building by the client.
• Comply with standard procedure for project closeout prior to occupancy of the project.

Feb 2017 - current
 

Norr Architect Engineers Planners, Calgary, AB, CA, Project Lead - Architectural

Reporting directly to the Principal, I planned and oversaw a portion of the architectural production on projects to ensure successful transformation from a design to completion adhering to project timelines and resources. I assisted with complex construction drawings based on schematic/design development sketches to complete all aspects of architectural documentation.

Project list:

- Tall Cree Elementary School (LEED Gold)
- Eau Claire Tower (Team of five)
- East Village High Rise (Team of two)
- West Village High Rise (team of three)
- Riley Park (team of two)
- Pembina (by myself)
- University of Calgary dormitory Phase 7(by myself)
- Quarry park (team of two)

Primary Responsibilities:

• Reviewed drawings to ensure all codes and jurisdictional requirements are met and provided coordination between key stakeholders and various consultants.
• Checked, edited and marked up drawings as required.
• Liaised closely with the Project Manager to ensure project deliverables are met.
• Assisted in the conversion of complex schematics and/or design sketches to prepare and create plans that adhere to established standards and can be read, understood and used as contract documentation for construction projects.
• Reviewed design requirements, offered recommendations and created architectural drawings to support construction projects.
• Attended meetings and liaised with various stakeholders to coordinate resources and determined project criteria.
• Liaised with the architectural team to determine and implement necessary project requirements and to analyze and determine solutions to improve concepts and resolve design problems on an ongoing basis.

Mar 2013 - Nov 2016
 

Saudi Oger Ltd, Riyadh, SA, Senior Architect/Project Coordinator

Project: Saudi Prince Residential Complex – 14 villas
Cost: 22 Million USD

• Reviewed and monitored the overall progress of contractors against schedule, provided early warning of any potential slippage and took timely action to remedy the situation in coordination with the assigned project engineer/manager and ensured that key milestone dates are maintained within the allocated budget.
• Handled site coordination among electromechanical (plumbing, high/low current, HVAC), civil (structural), architecture and decoration.
• Reported to management on contractor and subcontractor’s performances and project issues, and generated reports as required.
• Worked actively with the contractor’s project management teams to understand project objectives and priorities and to meet project objectives with regards to safety, cost control and schedule.
• Checked and revised drawings from engineering and documents to ensure site work is carried out accordingly, and made necessary changes upon execution when necessary.
• Facilitated permit-to-work process so that contractors work can proceed smoothly.
• Conducted regular site visits/checks to ensure work execution per approved architectural drawings and assisted the project management team in troubleshooting as issues arise during construction.
• Held regular construction progress and coordination meetings to ensure all parties are properly aligned for execution of the work.
• Ensured that contractors maintained and submitted adequate records for all inspection and testing carried out.
• Reviewed and commented on contractor’s applications for payment.

Feb 2010 - Sep 2012
 

Arabtec Construction LCC, Dubai, AE, Senior Architect/Project Coordinator @ Burj Khalifah Tower

Project: Burj Khalifah Tower (the tallest tower in the world)
Cost: 1.5 Billion USD

• Managed shop-drawing coordination, production and follow-ups.
• Coordinated with the project consultants (Hyder Consulting), project managers (Turner Construction International LLC), Contractors SBA JV (Samsung Engineering and Construction, Arabtec Construction L.L.C., and Besix) and over 40 subcontractors to achieve all their on-site requirements.
• Prepared Requests for Information (RFI) including technical design scopes for consultants and identified design elements and deliverables to be undertaken for projects.
• Managed design schedules, monitored design progress and coordinated with project management consultants.
• Ensured incorporation of best practices in the hotel, parking and wood-decking designs with relevance to the original design.
• Reviewed construction drawings and specifications prepared by design consultants.
• Scheduled and monitored shop-drawing production, submittal and approval status (inclusive of planning and updating monthly/weekly reports and shop-drawing schedules).
• Maintained all shop-drawing archived in filing systems.
• Reviewed and commented on design submittals to ensure compliance with requirements.
• Developed design guidelines and drafting standards.
• Proposed improved solutions and advice consultants on technical issues influencing design.
• Handled chief coordination for all Pre-As-Built and As-Built drawings produced by the Engineering Dept. (i.e. submission schedule, monitoring and controlling).

Sep 2005 - Dec 2009
 

H2O Concepts, Dubai, AE, Design Manager

• Led a team of junior architects and draftsmen and motivated them to achieve objectives of the company.
• Handled turnkey projects in the office furnishing department.
• Represented high-end prestigious brand names (i.e. Herman Miller, Wiesner Hager, Office&Co, Posh and Forster).
• Conceptualized designs as per client brief and managed interior design drawings and other construction documents for subcontractors and contractors to adhere to and execute upon.
• Reviewed masterwork method statements for design services, sequence, and time schedule activities.
• Expedited and monitored the progress of the design, updated progress schedules, and advised involved parties of any slippage’s, problems, and potential delays to design works and advise corrective actions to be taken accordingly.
• Handled multiple projects and held progress and coordination meetings.
• Supervised furnishing process in accordance with architectural design.
• Maintained discipline with the team, and found ways to improve the quality productivity and performance of the team.

Jun 2004 - Aug 2005
 

Designer Center, Riyadh, SA, Design Manager

• Managing a team of junior architects and draftsmen and motivated them to achieve the objectives of the company.
• Coordinating with other disciplines. (Survey, Electrical, Mechanical, Structure...etc.)
• Handled Projects from conception to completion.
• Conceptualized architectural and interior designs as per client brief and managed the shop drawings and other construction documents for subcontractors and contractors to adhere to and execute upon.
• Reviewed masterwork method statements for design services, sequence, and time schedule activities.
• Expedited and monitored the progress of the design, updated progress schedules, and advised involved parties of any slippage’s, problems, and potential delays to design works and advise corrective actions to be taken accordingly.
• Handled multiple projects and held progress and coordination meetings.
• Site supervision for all the activities in accordance with the architectural design.
• Maintained discipline with the team, and found ways to improve the quality productivity and performance of the team.

Jan 2002 - May 2004
 

Education 

Beirut Arab University, Beirut, LB, BArch, Architectural Engineering

Main Modules:
• Architectural Design
• Architectural Construction
• Execution Design
• Urban Design & Town planning
• Landscaping
• Theories of Architecture & Criticism
• Housing
• Structure
• Climate
• Lighting
• Acoustics
• Computer Applications

Graduation Project: Public Library (for half a million books)

Sep 1996 - Jun 2001
 

Awards 

Top 50 - Architectural Competition (Syria: Post-War Housing Competition, 1st Place

An international architectural competition to research the new housing concept of Syria after the war. I partnered with a team to participate in this Design Competition.

2018
 

UNSUNG HERO AWARD, 1st Place

Most likely to or make a contribution without receiving recognition

2015
 

CRAZIEST CUBE/OFFICE DECORATION AWARD, Award

For the Employee with the most personalized, creative, fun office space

2014
 

Honors with Distinction Student Award, Award

1995
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills