Dr. Samer El Sayary

Assistant Professor of Architecture | Researcher | Award-Winning Architect

Dr. Samer El Sayary is an Assistant Professor of Architecture, researcher, and internationally recognized, award-winning architect with a specialized focus on outer space architecture and extreme environments.

He graduated in 2001 as valedictorian, ranking first in his class with honors. Since then, he has built a distinguished academic and professional career, earning 53 national and international awards and prizes (as of 2025) across five continents. Notable recognitions include:

• First Prize, Mars City Design Foundation, Los Angeles (2017)

• Jacques Rougerie Foundation Awards, Paris (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2025)

• Kuala Lumpur International Architectural Festival, Malaysia (2019)

• First Prize, Mediterranean Scientific Forum “MEDIBAT”, Tunisia (2011)

• Hassan Fathy Award for Sustainable Architecture, Egypt (2011, 2013)

• Honored by the Society of Egyptian Architects (SEA) in 2017 as one of the Top 100 Architects of the Last 100 Years in Egypt

Dr. El Sayary’s work has been exhibited internationally at prestigious venues, including NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, USA, 2019), United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) (2021), International Astronautical Congress (IAC) (Paris 2016 and 75th IAC 2024), MedCOP21 (France, 2015), as well as exhibitions in Greece, Tunisia, Egypt, Malaysia, and other countries.

His projects and research have been widely featured in international media and professional publications, including Discovery Channel UK, Dutch television, Wired Magazine, L’Arca, Architecture d’Aujourd’hui (Special Edition 2021), FIABCI, Designboom, ArchDaily, Universe Today, SpaceArchitect.org, and others.

Dr. El Sayary is a frequent invited speaker and has delivered public lectures and keynote addresses at leading institutions and platforms worldwide, including AIAA LA/LV, Forbes Middle East, TEDx BAU, IdeaXme UK, Digital Futures, Crew Central Asia, and multiple television networks. To date, he has delivered over 100 keynote talks and public lectures across five continents and participated in television interviews in seven countries.

Academically, he has published numerous scientific papers in Q1-ranked journals and reputable international conferences, successfully translating award-winning design work into peer-reviewed research outputs.

In addition to his academic and professional practice, Dr. El Sayary has served as:

• Jury member for international architecture and design competitions, including Mars Society Colonies Competition (2020), IDS Cairo (2020), and BIM Africa Awards (2021)

• Mars City Design Ambassador, USA (2017–2020)

• Lead Junior Ambassador, Jacques Rougerie Foundation, France (since 2019)

• IdeaXme Ambassador, UK (since 2021)

• Ambassador for the Institute of Civilizational Rights, (USA) , (since 2021)

• Global Ambassadors of Sustainability (GAoS) (Canada), (2026)

• Autodesk Certified Instructor in Digital Design and BIM (since 2012)

He has also conducted and led specialized workshops and training programs in 13 countries over the past 24 years, contributing significantly to architectural education, innovation, and interdisciplinary research worldwide.

1. Podcast guest “Constratech”,space architecture, architectural competitions and design philosophies, Cairo, Egypt, December 2025.
2. Podcast guest “A3det Mohandesein (Engineers’ Gathering | قعدة مهندسين)”,space architecture and design philosophies, Cairo, Egypt, December 2025
3. keynote speaker at the First research innovation day-New horizons for research and applications, “Experimental design  amid rapid technological and  conceptual evolution” in Pharos university in Alexandria, Faculty of arts and design, Alexandria, Egypt, Online, December 2025.
4. Faculty of Architecture, Art, and Design (FAAD) at Notre Dame
5. University (NDU), Deir El Qamar Campus., AI aided Design, Chouf, Lebanon, December 2025
6. keynote talk at the First International Exhibition for Building & Technology in Lebanon 2025 by Lebanese Agency for Festivals & Expos (LAFE), “Echoes of Tomorrow: Architects Designing Within Planetary Boundaries.” Triploi, Lebanon November 2025.
7. keynote talk at the Space Habitat Event 2025 by Habitat Marte, “Large-Scale Colonization of ISRU 3rd Class Space Architecture” Brazil, Online, November 2025.
8. Public lecture on Space architecture for American Institute of architects students (AIAS), Basra Iraq, Space architecture- Three planets Problems, , Basra, Iraq, Online, November 2025.
9. Public lecture for International Architectural Training and and the Jacques Rougerie Ambassador Program, Space architecture – Three planets problem, Damascus, Online, August 2025.
10. Public lecture for International Architectural Training and and the Jacques Rougerie Ambassador Program, Future architecture innovated my machines, Online, Damascus, August 2025.
11. Open lecture at the Faculty of Architecture – Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (FARUSAC), Architecture of extreme environments, Online, August 2025
12. Key speaker at International Studio on Biolearning,Future explorations by AI aided design Universite Francaise D’Egypte, Cairo, July 2025
13. Invited speaker at the National TV and Radio, Maspero, special live episode on the cultural program "Colors and Shadows", Various contexts that shape urbanism, June 2025.
14. Invited speaker at the National TV and Radio, Maspero, cultural program "Awards and Innovators" cultural program, Architectural design as an innovative strategy to tackle challenges, June 2025
15. Key Speaker at the Mansoura university, Faculty of fine arts 1st scientific conference, AI aided design, Mansoura, July 2025
16. Key Speaker at the Scientific Day of the Faculty of Architecture and Design at University of Petra, Space architecture, Jordan, on Monday, Online, June 2025
17. American University of Cyprus, AI aided design, Online, Cyprus, May2025
18. International symposium CoDE: Computational Design & Embedded Intelligence, hosted by theUniversity of Engineering and Technology (UET), Department of Architecture, AI aided design, Lahore, Online, Lahore, Pakistan April 2025
19. Galala University’s Field of Art & Design Program, AI aided design. Galala,  Online, Egypt, April 2025
20. Beirut Arab University,Tripoli branch, AI aided design, Debbieyh, , Lebanon, April 2025
21. Balamand University, Koura Campus, Academie Libanese Des Beaux Arts, Public lecture, Future of Architects innovated by machines, Beirut, Online, March 2025
22. International Sustainability Society, Artifical Intelligence in Architecture and Urbanism, Cairo, Online, March 2025
23. Mimaria studio, Online panel discussion, Winning vs. Unwinning competitions, Istanbul, Online, March 2025
24. Beirut Arab University,2nd Sustainability day event AI aided design, Debbieyh, , Lebanon, February 2025
25. Faculty of Architecture, Art, and Design (FAAD) at Notre Dame
26. University (NDU), North Campus., AI aided Design, Tripoli, February 2025
27. Lebanese University of Tripoli, Faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture, as part of Architalks 4., AI aided Design, Tripoli, February 2025
28. Syndicate of Egyptian Engineers, Architecture department, Committee of Architectural and Planning Competitions, Impossible architecture lecture, Cairo, January 2025
29. 1St Pharos University Conference, thinking methods for Architects and Designers, Unlocking synergies between Human and machine, Online, December 2024
30. Nabta Magazine, Online, Artificial aided design: Disruption in Architecture and Interior design, Online, November 2024
31. Episode 160 podcast for the official radio station of the Ministry of Information, Sultanate of Oman, as part of the Voice of Architecture program., Topic: The Impossible Architecture
32. Public lecture for the Delta University, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture of Extreme environments, Egypt, November 2024
33. Public lecture for the Alexandria Business Association, Future Architecture innovated by machines, Alexandria, Egypt October 2024
34. Public lecture for the Rebuild Green Opening 2024 hackathon on the sustainable reconstruction of Ukrainian cities (Postwar cities and emergency housing strategies)
35. Public lecture for the Universidad de Costa Rica UCR., Space architecture, Mars reefs project, Online, August 2024
36. Public lecture for the Faculty of Fine arts, Alexandria university, Department of Architecture, AI-Aided design, Alexandria, Egypt, August 2024
37. Public lecture for the Faculty of Fine arts, Alexandria university, Department of Architecture, The tale of two planets, Alexandria, Egypt, August 2024
38. Public lecture for the Rotary Club of Alexandria, The tale of two planets, Alexandria, Egypt, July 2024
39. Public lecture for the Orders of Engineering of Alexandria, AI-Aided design, Alexandria, Egypt July 2024
40. Public lecture for the Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria university, Department of Architecture, AI-Aided design, Alexandria, Egypt, July 2024
41. Public lecture for the Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria university, Department of Architecture, The tale of two planets, Alexandria, Egypt, July 2024
42. Public lecture for the Library of Alexandria, Islamic architecture and Artificial Intelligence, Alexandria, Egypt, July 2024
43. Public lecture for the Alexandria Business Association, Space Architecture on Earth Buildings, Alexandria, Egypt July 2024
44. Public lecture for the Orders of Engineering with City university, Unlocking the new potentials of architecture using AI, Tripoly, Lebanon June 2024
45. Public lecture for the Larbi Ben Mhidi university, Oum El Bouaghi Faculty of earth sciences and architecture, AI and Architectural modeling, Algeria, Online April 2024
46. Public lecture for the Mansoura University, Sustainable Architecture Program, Online, March 2024
47. Public lecture for the Baghdad university, Contemporary Egyptian Architecture, Online, March 2024
48. Tanta university architecture and urban international conference, TUAUIC 24, AI aided design, , Hurgada, Egypt, March 2024
49. Archiwey in collaboration with Orders of Engineering, AI aided design, Tripoly, Lebanon, February 2024
50. Dar al Hikma university, AI aided design, KSA, Online, February 2024
51. Beirut Arab University,1st Sustainability day event AI aided design, Debbieyh, , Lebanon, January 2024
52. Beirut Arab University, AI aided design, Debbieyh, January 2024
53. British university of Egypt, AI aided design, Cairo January 2024
54. Egyptian House of Architecture  بيت المعمار المصري -,Cairo, AI aided design and space architecture, January 2024
55. Alamein International University, AI aided design for Interior designers, Alamein city, December 2023
56. Arab Architecture School guest lecturer, AI aided design, Cairo Online, November 2023
57. Nile university guest lecturer, AI aided design, Cairo Online, November 2023
58. Chorus-archi conference 2023 on "Building Sustainability with Knowledge.", AI aided design, Cameroon Online, October 2023
59. Fikra Arch, AI, parametric design and Immersive design, Amman, Jordan Online, September 2023
60. Fikra Arch, Unlock the Future of Architecture with AI and BIM Integration, Amman, Jordan Online, August 2023
61. Arab architecture school, AI aided design, Cairo online, August 2023
62. Studio 34 summer public talk, Sustainability from Earth to space habitats, July 2023
63. Egyptian syndicate of Engineers, Mars habitats for kids, Alexandria online, July 2023.
64. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), SATC Space Architecture Gathering, Los Angeles online, April, 2023.
65. ISWU conference organized by India Smart Grid Forum, “Architecture and Energy Systems for Colonizing the Moon and the Mars”. NewDelhi Online, March, 2023.
66. Virtual Mars Camp by Ministry of Education and Antarexxa (Indonesia), New Martian Vernacularism,  July 2022.
67. Digitalfutures - Doctoral consortium, AI and the design studio, Los Angeles online October 2022
68. Arab architecture school, Designing for extreme environments, Cairo online August 2022
69. Arab architecture school, Designing for extreme environments, Cairo online August 2022
70. Library of Alexandria,Egypt, Space architecture, Alexandria, August 2022
71. Jordan space initiative with collaboration with moon village association, Designing Lunar habitats, July 2022
72. AIAA Adelaide section, Australia, Online, Lunar oasis village, July 2022
73. National space society (USA)-Mumbai, Space colonization, May 2022
74. India smart utility 8th conference on smart energy and smart mobility presenting lunar oasis project, March 2022.
75. Arab architecture summit, post carbon cities, March 2022.
76. Hub talk Qatar, Space vernacularism, March 2022.
77. Antarexxa and ministry of space education on space colonization, Indonesia February 2022.
78. Digital futures, Space architecture and 5th industrial revolution. <Online, February 2022.
79. City college of San Francisco, Space materials and extreme environments design, February 2022.
80. Archnet, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Online), Outer space architecture. February 2022.
81. Eureka digital architecture, Jordan, IRIS space project, January 2022.
82. BIM Arabia, Micro houses and refugees shelters, January 2022.
83. AIAA LA-LV (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Los Angeles – Las Vegas), Online, Space Philosophy, December 2021
84. Order of Engineers, Tripoly, Lebanon, December 2021
85. GoLive TV, Toronto, Canada 2021
86. Astrobiology society, Manchester University, UK 2021
87. Coal Deckathon, Kiev, Online 2021
88. Nile University, Cairo, Online 2021
89. Lahore University, Pakistan as Guest Speaker, Online 2021
90. BIM Arabia On Space Architecture, Online 2021
91. Architalk (Resiliency and Post Carbon City), Cameroon, Online 2021
92. Darbellabbana Panel discussion with the Scientist Farouk Al Baz, Cairo, Online 2021
93. DigitalFutures Panel discussion on space architecture, Online 2021
94. Professional Global Outreach, Texas future space architecture, Online 2021
95. Central Crew Asia, Tashkent City, Uzbekistan 2021
96. IdeaXme Interview, London,  Online 2021
97. Al Yamamah University Guest speaker, Dammam, Online 2021
98. ICOSAT public lecture on Space Architecture, Online 2021
99. Niqat global webinar, Online  2021
100. Global Reach, Space communities, Online 2021
101. AIAA LA-LV (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Los Angeles – Las Vegas), Online 2020
102. British University in Cairo (BUE), Online 2020
103. FABCIA Leadership Summit 39th Edition Paris, Online 2020
104. Outer Space Architecture Panel, StarDust Squad International Science Congress, Online2020
105. RESILIENT CITIES - MakeSense Conference, Beirut, Lebanon 2018
106. Creating the future congress 2017
107. Frontiers in Outer Space Architecture TEDx BAU, Debbieh-Lebanon 2016
108. RAE international Conference, Debbieh, Lebanon 2016
109. Egypt Building Show, Cairo, Egypt 2015
110. Cradle to Cradle, Beirut Arab University, Debbieh-Lebanon 2015 
111. Technology, Innovation & Talent, Alexandria Egypt 2015
112. ICME Conference, Munistir, Tunis 2014
113. Sustainable Strategies for illegal immigrants, Lampedusa-Italy 2014
114. ICS Conference, Cairo, Egypt 2014
115. Stone Academy, Cairo-Egypt 2014
116. Sustainable Ceramic Industry, MS Africa Conference, Cairo-Egypt 2014
117. Phaores University, Department of Architecture Parametric design in Architecture, Alexandria, Egypt 2014
118. Arab Academy of Science and Technology, Cairo, Egypt 2013
119. Interbuild, Cairo, Egypt 2013
120. Zero Energy Houses in Egypt, Arab Academy for science and technology, Cairo 2012
121. Zero Energy Houses in Egypt, Medibat saloon for science and innovation, Sfax-Tunis 2012
122. Zero Energy Houses in Egypt, Society of Egyptian Architects, Cairo-Egypt 2012
123. II Encuentro Patrimonial Internacional, La paz, Bolivia 2011
      

• THE RESILIENCE PRINCIPLES OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN LIGHT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND POST-PANDEMIC ERA,

BOOK II – Resilience vs. Pandemics: Innovations in Public Places and Buildings, under the Springer’s Urban Sustainability Book Series., Omar Osama, & El Sayary Samer, (2023), P.p 137-152

• IMPACT OF BIM ON BUILDING DESIGN QUALITY

BAU Journal-Creative Sustainable Development (2019), K Sadek, R Raslan, I El-Bastawissi, S Sayary

• LUNAR OASIS, Scientific poster, UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF SPACE AFFAIRS

https://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/WSF/2021/Posters/Samer_El_Sayary_-_Lunar_Oasis_-_Green_Moon_Settlement.pdf

• DESIGNING A BIM ENERGY-CONSUMPTION TEMPLATE TO CALCULATE AND ACHIEVE A NET-ZERO-ENERGY HOUSE

Q1 Journal of Solar Energy, Volume 216, 1 March 2021, Pages 315-320, Opensource on sciencedirect.

Author(s): El Sayary, Samer; Ossama, Omar, Faculty of Architectural Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Lebanon.​

• USING TIME AS A SUSTAINABLE TOOL TO CONTROL DAYLIGHT IN SPACE: CREATING THE CHRONOFORM

ASCAAD 2016, Parametricism Vs. Materialism: Evolution of digital technologies for development, At SOAS University of London, London, November 2016

Author(s): El Sayary, Samer

• ADDING TIME DIMENSION AS A SHAPING PARAMETER OF ARCHITECTURAL FORM (CHRONO FORM)

Parallelism in Architecture, Environment And Computing Techniques, (PACT),ISSN: 5760-1744, At University of East London (UEL), London, September 2016

Author(s): El Sayary, Samer​

• ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE ADAPTIVE REUSE IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO USING ENVIRONMENTAL SIMULATION

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION IN ENGINEERING 10th World Congress on Engineering Education “Engineering Education for Sustainable Development” November 29 – 30, 2015 Beirut, LEBANON

Author(s): Hiba Mohsen, Samer El Sayary, Faculty of Architectural Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Lebanon.

• THINKING COURTYARD HOUSING: DEVELOPMENT OF TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC COURTHOUSES INTO ZERO-ENERGY BUILDINGS

World Sustainable Built Environment Conference 2017 Hong Kong, At Hong Kong, Volume: Conference Proceeding, June 2017

Author(s): El Sayary, Samer; Ossama, Omar, Faculty of Architectural Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Lebanon.​

• RE-THINKING BLOOM'S TAXONOMY BY INTEGRATING DIGITAL SIMULATION IN PRAGMATIC ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION

Architecture and planning journal - special edition:
the 1st international conference 'rethinking architectural education' march – 2016
theme i: innovative pedagogical frameworks
faculty of architectural engineering, beirut arab university, lebanon

Author(s): Samer El Sayary , Hiba Mohsen& Lamis Mantash., Faculty of Architectural Engineering, Beirut Arab University

• SENSING THE CITY: MAPPING OF BEIRUT CENTRAL DISTRICT THROUGH PHYSIOLOGICAL EMOTIONS

International Conference ‘Between Data and Senses; Architecture, Neuroscience and the Digital Worlds’. 23-24 March 2017, London. Organised by UEL, supported by RIBA, ARUP and the Museum of Architecture

Author(s): Ghosh, Roua.; El Sayary, Samer

• HUMAN SOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN PUBLIC URBAN SPACES: TOWARDS HIGHER QUALITY CITIES.

Spaces & Flows: An International Journal of Urban & Extra Urban Studies . 2013, Vol. 3 Issue 2, p23-35. 13p.

Author(s): Hanafi, Israa; El Araby, Moustafa; Al-Hagla, Khalid S.; El Sayary, Samer

• “ADVANCED COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ARCHITECTURE”
  Three-dimensional Mental Space model mapping into a 3D Virtual Environment​.

PhD Thesis, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, 2011

• “ANALOGY BETWEEN VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS AND PHYSICAL ARCHITECTURE”
  Wayfinding in cyberspace Architecture.

Master Thesis, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, 2006

• 2021 Space Fortnight (Dreamed Odyssey) During DubaiExpo 2021 presented by Jacques Rougerie Fondation.
• 2021 HI-SEAS (Hawai Space Exploration Analog & Simulation During Dubai Expo 2021 presented by Mars City Design.
• 2021 4wardsfuture UK, virtual exhibition.
• 2021 Bayet Al Mimar with Cairo construction Hub, Cairo, Egypt
• 2021 CADAF Virtual exhibition, Paris, France
• 2021 TAtchers’ ART Management for Digital art of space art exhibiting artist, Ukraine
• 2019 NASA Johnson space center, Houston, Texas, USA
• 2019 KLAF (Kuala Lumpur Architectural Festival), Malaysia
• 2019 D'un soleil à l'autre Bordeaux exhibition, France
• 2017 Innovation and architecture for space, Marseille, France 2017
• 2015 Sheltering Humanity Awarded projects exhibition, Greece
• 2015 Medcop 21 Mediterranean Sustainable experiments, France
• 2015 Egypt Building Show top Egyptian Architects Exhibition, Cairo, Egypt
• 2013 Hasan Fathi Award Exhibition for Sustainable Interior design, Bibliothecae Alexandrina, Egypt
• 2012 Hasan Fathi Award Exhibition for sustainable architecture, Bibliothecae Alexandrina, Egypt
• 2011 El Colegio Arquitectos De Bolivia, Bolivia

Teaching Philosophy Statement

My teaching philosophy is grounded in one central conviction: architecture education must form thinkers before it produces designers. I do not view teaching as the transmission of information, but as the disciplined construction of intellectual frameworks that allow students to question, synthesize, and ultimately generate meaning through design.

I teach architecture as a cultural, scientific, and ethical act. Every studio, lecture, or seminar is structured to connect historical knowledge, environmental realities, technological innovation, and speculative thinking into a single coherent design logic connecting 19 different context together. Students are trained to understand that form is never arbitrary, context is never neutral, and creativity is never detached from responsibility. Design decisions must be justified intellectually, socially, and environmentally.

My pedagogy is studio-centered and inquiry-driven. I emphasize learning by doing, supported by rigorous critical discussion. Students are challenged to research deeply, articulate concepts precisely, and defend their work with clarity and evidence. I deliberately avoid spoon-feeding solutions; instead, I guide students to develop their own design positions through structured questioning, iterative critique, and reflective self-assessment. Failure is treated as an essential learning tool, provided it is analyzed honestly and used constructively.

History and theory play a foundational role in my teaching, not as static knowledge but as active design instruments. I encourage students to reinterpret ancient, vernacular, and modern architectural systems through contemporary lenses such as sustainability, adaptive reuse, resource scarcity, and future habitats, including extreme and extraterrestrial environments. This approach trains students to see architecture as a continuum of problem-solving rather than a collection of styles.

I maintain high expectations and practice intellectual honesty. I believe respect for students is demonstrated through seriousness, rigor, and direct feedback, not through lowered standards. Critique in my classroom is demanding but fair, always aimed at strengthening the student’s capacity to think independently and act professionally.

Ultimately, my goal is to graduate architects who are intellectually resilient, ethically grounded, and capable of operating across disciplines and scales. I seek to cultivate graduates who do not merely respond to briefs, but who can redefine them, who understand architecture as a tool for shaping collective memory, identity, and future possibilities.