Arch. Ghassan Emile Jahchan, A.I.A. ncarb, M.arch

Professional training began 24 years ago, starting, in Baltimore, Maryland, then Houston, Texas, and now for the past two years, in Saudi Arabia. Executive level experience in; Management & Business development, along with exceptional International experience in Award Winning Designs, Project Management & Technical Expertise.
 
Executive Level Management & Business Development: Currently heading the business development department at an A&E Consultant firm in Khobar. Responsible for acquiring new clients, while servicing existing ones. Develop new strategies. Prepare & review contracts, follow up on invoicing, Prepare Memorandum of understandings (MOUs) for establishing joint ventures with international associates.

Award Winning Designs: (during my tenure with different firms) First Runner-up in 2 catagories at Jeddah CityScape 2010 Awards, publication in Albanaa Magazine in August 2010 issue (front cover: Private Residence), AIA and college awards. Form always follows Client's function (as a standard operating procedure.)

Project Management: The ability to manage & lead began at 4th grade and continued throughout college, as the class president and later on, as the design director.  Managed architects and engineers from all disciplines, throughout the project stages, and through difficult tasks such as obtaining civil site utilities in JIC, KSA, for (NAMA, TASNEE & MARAFIQ.) where no utilities were available.   

Technical Expertise: Practicing & lecturing in Sustainable/Green architecture for all projects as standard operating procedure. Specializes in Codes: International Building Codes (IBC 2000-2010), UBC (Southern Building Code), IRC 2006, International Fire Code (IFC2000), Aramco Codes, SABIC Codes, Royal Commission Architectural Code (RCAC), Royal Commission Engineering Manual, American with Disability Act (ADAAG), and familiar with IMC & IEC, and energy code calculation using “ComCheck” & RezCheck” programs.


Qualification:                                   

Member of Texas Society of Architects (TSA)
Member of the American Institute of Architects (A.I.A)
Member of the National Council of Arch. Registration Board(NCARB)  
Member of the Order of Engineering & Architects (OEA) of Lebanon
Member of the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE)

Education:                                           

Masters of Architecture with minor in Urban Planning in 1986 (Professional Degree) from the University of Houston (General & Heinz School of Design). Honors, with G.P.A 3.76 /4.0
Bachelor of Architectural Technology and Engineering and Construction Management in 1983. G.P.A of 3.67/4.0
Nationality:                                           United States
Languages:                                          English and Arabic             
Other Information:

• Local transferrable Iqama with multiple exit/entry visa
• Local Mobile #: 0561238893
• Email: ghassan_idg@yahoo.com

Awards + Publications: (During my tenure with different architectural firms throughout my professional career):

• Albenaa magazine, front cover coverage for "Sustainable Housing" in K.S.A. August 2010.
• Jeddah Cityscape 2010, won in two different categories, first runner-up position.
• "Prizm Award" for the Fountains-on-The-lake" , Power Center in Stafford Texas. 1998
• A.I.A Inventiveness Award, 1990, for Coco-walk mall in Coconut Grove Florida ("The most visited out door mall in The United States with 3+million visitors per year")
• "Best in Design" Award for Brown's Bookstore - - Student Competition, 1986
• "Best in Design" Award for "Black Mountain" Design Competition in North Carolina, in 1986.
• "Second Place Winner" in Rice Design (RDA) Competition (out of 144 national & international entries) for the Houston Sesquicentennial park, 1984, in association with my professor.
• Studio Design Job Captain & Design Leader 1986, 1987 @ U of H

Assets:

• Proficient in qualifying projects for LEED certifications (to be certified by others)
• Proficient in establishing methodology for sustainable & technical designs  
• Proficient in all versions of Auto Cad & “X-Refering” drawing management system
• Proficient in International and Model Building Codes 
• Proficient in structural steel designs for buildings, shop drawings review & construction detailing
• Proficient in seeking & solving issues in all disciplines, including civil site utilities
• Proficient in QA/QC & inter-disciplinary coordination
• Capable of managing Site Utility projects & coordinating representative engineering
• Persistent in implementing alternative energy sources; i.e.:  Passive Designs, wind power, Thermal Mass designs,  Minimizing the Heat Island Effect  & solar photovoltaic panels, & other LEED products
• Preparing to sit for LEED certification exam  
• Persistent in implementing codes and Client's program first and allowing the design to follow (Form follows function)
  
  
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