Abdu Mahdi
Part II Architectural Assistant|Designer|Builder
Master's graduate with professional and hands-on design-build experience, and a drive for sustainable, socially impactful architectural process. I want to continue working hands-on with local communities and to deliver relevant and beautiful architecture.
Portfolio
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Experience
Delivered a village community-owned guest bure for Natalei Eco Lodge through an 8-week design-build project, acting as one of 4 project leaders responsible for 22 international participants and 10 local workers. Contributed from concept design and client liaison through material coordination and on-site construction, resolving design and construction challenges within highly resource-constrained conditions. Led team co-ordination, logistics, participant welfare and site safety as designated first aider. Built upon my existing on-site experience with joinery, masonry and concrete construction.
Led a team of 12 in the design and construction of two experimental floating structures. Integrated circular strategies including reused barrels and organic wool insulation, and conducted live load testing. Delivered collaborative design-build workshops with local school-age participants and produced weekly project content for CAUKIN social media.
Contributed across RIBA Stages 1–4 on residential and commercial projects. Produced planning and tender packages, and construction drawings under live project deadlines, collaborating with a multi-disciplinary studio team and other consultants. Developed experience in professional project delivery, construction and detailing.
Branding, animation and visual communication across independent and client-led projects, from concept to final delivery.
Public STEM programme delivery, visitor engagement and graphic design/marketing at a 5-star visitor attraction.
Education
Thesis Project: A Cookbook for the End of the World. Open-source construction system for community self-built urban farms in Porto, developed through direct fieldwork. Gabion walls filled with site rubble, supporting demountable modular timber construction above.
Year 4: Heaven and Earth. A community built mosque in pre-cast rammed earth blocks.
Skills & Languages
Digital
- AutoCAD
- Sketchup
- Rhino
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- Indesign
- After Effects
- CapCut
Making
- Hand drawing
- Physical modelling
- Site construction: timber joinery, masonry, pouring concrete
Languages
Achievements & Engagement
- Participated in multiple architecture competitions, most recently a rammed-earth secondary school in Senegal. (2026)
- Led public drawing workshops on Islamic geometric pattern and exhibited work at V&A Dundee's Sacred Gardens Session during the Garden Futures exhibition.
- Competed in Dundee Fight Night, an amateur boxing tournament before 1,000+ people.
References
Available on request.