Architecture and real estate development are crucial in shaping sustainable urban environments in today's climate-challenged world.
Now more than ever, it is important to create a blueprint for making cities resilient through innovative strategies that support sustainable, adaptable urban spaces.
Samer Samarani, a specialist in Architecture and Real Estate Development focusing on sustainability and resiliency, emphasizes the urgency of this approach: "I want to change how people see architecture because climate change is not going to stop here. It's going to get worse. I want to make it a mission to build sustainable projects and parks that would be more resilient and can last decades."
His perspective underscores the need to integrate sustainability and resilience into urban design, focusing on key principles such as reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, conserving water, and promoting biodiversity.
Samarani's superior expertise is backed by extensive education, including Master's degrees in Real Estate Development and Architecture from Boston Architectural College and Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) respectively, with ongoing studies in Landscape Architecture.
His award-winning projects showcase his ability to create sustainable designs at various scales. The Amchit Beach House, which won Best Architectural Single Residence Arabia in 2013, and the West Kuwait Mega Complex, awarded Best Office Architecture Kuwait in 2013, are prime examples of his work.
In addition, Samerani’s LEED Green Associate certification, obtained in 2022, further demonstrates his commitment to sustainable building practices.
As a Project Manager at Tishman Speyer Properties in Boston, Samarani applies his expertise to real-world challenges, notably the Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) a LEED Gold Certified project with Harvard University. He reflects on this experience: "I worked for two years on this project. I learned a lot about codes and regulations... in terms of sustainability, the project has to meet certain standards and certificates." This 900,000 SF development balances complex requirements while prioritizing sustainability and community needs.
Samarani's influence extends beyond his professional work. His recent invitation to join the board of the Rose Kennedy Greenway Business Improvement District in Boston reflects his growing impact on shaping sustainable urban spaces, allowing him to contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of one of Boston's largest public parks.
Resiliency in urban design involves creating adaptable infrastructure. Samarani notes, "We're talking about sustainability, resiliency, and community engagements." This approach includes implementing green infrastructure like green roofs and rain gardens, promoting energy independence through renewable sources, and prioritizing community involvement.
He adds: "Architecture is about engaging with communities, listening to their needs, and responding to the environment responsibly."
Samarani's sustainable design approach incorporates innovative materials, passive strategies, modular construction, and smart building systems.
John Pelletier, a Senior Project Manager at Tishman Speyer, highlights Samarani's skills: "Samer has a strong design background. His technical knowledge and rendering skills are very beneficial, helping get projects approved by showing clients future spaces."
Alphonse G. Kai, Principal Architect at Al Jazera Consultants International, met Samarani in 2012 as a USEK University student, attests to his problem-solving abilities: "What I admire most about Samer is his perfect solutions to design challenges. His commitment to excellence and continuous improvement is evident in his approach to each project.
“With Samer's contributions, our organization won more than eight local and international competitions, including two awards for projects where he was the project manager.
“Samer has a big heart, and I am confident that wherever he goes, he brings positive energy. With his excellent background, I am certain he will excel in any environment."
This commitment to excellence is evident in Samarani's use of building orientation, natural ventilation, and daylighting to reduce energy consumption, as well as his emphasis on incorporating recycled, locally sourced, or low-impact materials to minimize environmental footprint.
In the realm of modular construction, Samarani has demonstrated his ability to use prefabricated components to reduce waste and allow for flexibility in building design. This approach aligns with his commitment to sustainability and efficiency in construction.
Samarani's expertise extends to integrating smart building systems, using sensors and automation to optimize energy use, monitor structural health, and enhance occupant comfort.
In real estate development, Samarani prioritizes sustainability and community engagement. He states: "I want to contribute to the community by improving health in the building environment through careful material and system selection." Collaboration is key to his approach: "I work with consultants, architects, engineers, clients, and the community." This holistic approach ensures that sustainable outcomes are achieved through comprehensive collaboration.
Samarani's LEED certification also equips him with the knowledge to implement recognized sustainability benchmarks in his projects. He is also a strong advocate for mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, and recreational areas, as demonstrated in the ERC project at Harvard University. This approach creates vibrant, sustainable communities that reduce the need for transportation.
Global case studies provide valuable inspiration for Samarani's work. Copenhagen's bicycle-friendly infrastructure and commitment to becoming carbon-neutral by 2025 align closely with his vision for creating enduring, environmentally responsive urban spaces.
Singapore's approach to urban sustainability, exemplified by initiatives like the Gardens by the Bay and an extensive network of green buildings, resonates with Samarani's focus on biodiversity and sustainable living in an urban context.
Melbourne's employment of green infrastructure and water-sensitive urban design to combat heat islands and manage stormwater offers valuable insights for enhancing urban resilience.
Samarani applies these global lessons to local contexts, as seen in his work on Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway. As a board member of this organization, he contributes to maintaining and enhancing one of Boston's largest public parks, creating a sustainable green space that improves urban livability while addressing environmental challenges.
The sustainable urban design movement, while gaining momentum, faces significant challenges that require innovative solutions. One of the primary challenges is the perception of higher upfront costs associated with sustainable design. Samarani addresses this concern: "We're not only building luxurious apartments, but we also build affordable housing.
Even if it's an affordable project for people that need support, it doesn't mean that we have to build cheap. We need to maintain building standards." This approach highlights the importance of balancing initial investments with long-term gains, including reduced operational costs, increased property values, and improved public health.
Regulatory hurdles can also impede progress. Samarani's experience navigating different building codes and regulations proves invaluable in this context. He explains, "Coming from a different country, because right now I'm based in Boston, we follow a different code for construction. We follow the French code in Lebanon because it was a French colony at the time. So it was pretty interesting to learn about different codes and regulations in different cities."
Justin Miller, an asset manager who works with Samarani says his approach and expertise are only going to continue getting more valuable: “We are living at a time where the built environment is changing based on evolving uses (work from home and hybrid work, shortage of housing, increased demand for logistics, higher traffic in cities, aging infrastructure, impacts of climate change).
“It will be more important than ever for skilled design professionals like Samer to weigh in on the transformation of buildings and infrastructure to adapt to new demands and meet these challenges.”
The need for technological advancements presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Samarani's commitment to continuous learning positions him at the forefront of these developments. His involvement with organizations like the Rose Kennedy Greenway Business Improvement District demonstrates his dedication to influencing policies that support sustainable practices.
Education and awareness are also key areas where Samarani makes significant contributions.
The blueprint for resilient cities involves a collaborative effort among architects, developers, policymakers, and communities. Samarani's approach embodies this collaborative spirit.
By embracing sustainable urban design, cities can significantly reduce their environmental impact by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption. Samarani's commitment to this goal is evident in his work on projects like the Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) at Harvard University, where he emphasizes the importance of meeting specific sustainability factors and certifications.
Enhancing quality of life is another crucial aspect of resilient city design. Samarani's focus on creating healthier, more comfortable living environments is reflected in his careful approach to material selection and systems implementation.
He emphasizes this point, stating: "I really try as much as I can to understand and to learn more of how to improve our health in the building environment. You have to consider what kind of materials, what kind of systems are we selecting? Keeping this top of mind is imperative to creating a build that ticks all the right boxes.”
Architects and real estate developers like Samarani have a pivotal role in shaping cities that are equipped to face environmental challenges while providing vibrant, livable spaces for their inhabitants.
Together they can create more sustainable and livable cities so we can all envision a better future that is kinder and more respectful to the world around us.
