Ghassan E. Jahchan, A.I.A, NCARB

Professional training began 31+ years ago, in Baltimore, Maryland, and continued in Houston, Texas, and now for the past nine 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: Previously headed the business development department at The Interfield Group LLC in Houston from 1995 - 2009 and then at AFM-Consultants in KSA from 2009 - 2012. Responsible for acquiring new clients, while servicing existing ones. Developed  new strategies. Prepared & reviewed contracts, followed up on invoicing, Prepared 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 categories at Jeddah CityScape 2010 Awards, publication in Albanaa Magazine in August 2010 issue (front cover: Private Residence), AIA and college awards. My standard operating procedure for design, is that Form always follows Client's function.  

Project Management: The ability to manage & lead began at 4th grade and continued throughout college, as the class president and later on, as the Senior Design Principal.  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 (not LEED) for all projects as standard operating procedure. Specializes in Codes: International Building Codes (IBC 2000-2015), 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 the American Institute of Architect (A.I.A) # 38054456
  • Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) # 20021596
  • Member of National Council of Architectural Registration (NCARB) # 85205                   
  • Member of Texas Society of Architects/AIA # 26144
  • Registered Architect in State of Texas # 26144
  • Registered Architect in District Of Columbia(DC)# ARC103057
  • Member of The Order of Engineering & Architects # 35653
  • Member of the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) #54276


    • Certification:   
    National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB)
    Registered Architect, Washington, DC, USA
    Registered Architect, State of Texas, USA

    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: American   
    Languages: English and Arabic
    Other Information:

    • Local Mobile #: 0561238893
    • Email: ghassan_idg@yahoo.com


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

    •  Lectured course: Arch 426 Professional Practice For Architect at the KFUPM in Dhahran, KSA
       Published in The Albenaa Magazine, July 2012 issue, featuring one of my projects (a private villa)
       Published in The Albenaa Magazine, front cover 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:

    Producing high-end designs worldwide
    Proficient in master-planning large tracks of land for mixed-use development
    Interfacing with other engineering disciplines, and managing design changes across disciplines
    Managing personnel and projects, under unrealistic SAPMT & Proponent pressure
    Reviewing technical & legal documents
    Managing technical matters with Civil, structural, mechanical & site utility engineers
    Implementing Municipalities rules and regulations
    Establishing methodology for sustainable, Passive & technical designs (based on physics)
    Implementing International & Model Building Codes
    Calculating “R” & “U” Values for walls , roofs & glazing
    Solving issues in all disciplines, including civil site utilities
    Understanding Civil & Site Engineering issues (not design)
    Coordinating QA/QC & inter-disciplinary coordination
    Persistent in designing buildings that will qualify for LEED certification
    copyright @ 2015