Archimade Workshop - "3D at the service of architecture"
With 20 years of experience on the counter, Zakaria Majdouline founded in 2013 Atelier Archimade, her own architecture and urban planning office. Surrounded by 12 employees, it has no restrictions and designs single-family homes, residential buildings and offices. With additional specificity: upstream of each project, a 3D modeling to allow to visualize it with a striking realism. To understand its usefulness, but also the operation of the Archimade Workshop, meeting with its founder and his associate, Julian Tiranishti.
The association of the two men is not coincidental, as Zakaria Majdouline immediately confirms: "It's a strategic choice. Julian with his diploma of urban architect, and me with that of architect engineer, we complement each other ". A force for the office, which can lead architectural and urban planning missions from A to Z, but also a real added value for the owner who can thus enjoy the advice of the duo.
Other activities include the production of energy passports and vertical cadastres, and interior architecture as well. But, as Zakaria Majdouline says, this is not a market he wants to conquer at all costs: "If we are asked, we can achieve this mission. But we will appeal more to confreres, especially if it is a building other than a single-family home.
Architect, or the need to be a diplomat
Before each project begins, the needs of the client are scrutinized, as well as the budget available to him to offer a habitat in adequacy with the amount he wants to invest. To avoid unpleasant surprises on arrival, it is better to surround yourself with "professionals who have know-how and experience" as pointed out by Julian Tiranishti.
Because experience is what will make the difference, Zakaria Majdouline continues: "Construction is not complicated because it has been built for millennia. On the other hand, it is not at school that the profession is learned, only the basics are taught. I also think that you can not be a good architect when you leave school, even if you have very good ideas. "
Another quality needed to excel in the profession, diplomacy. "Having a good contact with the customer is imperative and, with each choice made, we must be able to justify it. We must also curb some demands by explaining that the construction must remain consistent and harmonious. Nevertheless, we can not refuse the client if he insists because it is he who will live in the house "says Zakaria Majdouline.
Triple A, an obstacle
With the need for each new construction in Luxembourg to be defined by the AAA energy passport, a new constraint has been added to the work of the two architects. The geometry of the architecture must now be taken into consideration whereas before, almost any form could be classified triple B.
"There is little, we built a house, whose architecture is rather original, in Mondorf-les-Bains. This is probably the last building that we can achieve in this way because with the obligation of triple A, it is necessary to have more compact volumes. It's sad to say but finally, this energy passport brings us constraints, in the sense that we will end up with architectures that will all be similar in terms of volume, "says Zakaria Majdouline.
The situation could change in the future, however, since digital mockup design software will make it possible to calculate in real time the energy class of a building, according to the modifications that are made to it virtually. What to afford, probably, a little more fantasy.
3D technology, added value
Technology is already part of the daily life of both architects and their collaborators because they have a habit of working in BIM (Building Information Modeling - Building Information Modeling), which allows them to realize a digital model in 3 dimensions for each of their project.
A working methodology that is a real added value for the Archimade Workshop, as noted by Zakaria Majdouline. "By drawing in 3 dimensions, we automatically generate the measurements. By calculating the quantities of materials needed and their price, we can thus determine the cost of the building. 3D also allows us to minimize the risk of errors and thus minimize unpleasant surprises on site.
Concretely, this technology also makes it possible to win contracts, as this Walferdange project underlines Julian Tiranishti:
"We were the 5th office to propose something, the first 4 were discarded, all said that access could only be done via a single road. Our approach has been different. Thanks to a 3D model, we have shown that the most favorable access is via another path ".
This BIM modeling also makes the information more comprehensible to all, which is useful when a project must be defended before a municipal council whose members come from all horizons: "These people are not familiar with architectural projects or reading a plan. We assume that someone who does not understand will tend to say no. The model, especially if the project is complex, will allow them to project themselves.
A competition for a major project
At present, Atelier Archimade, in collaboration with a Brussels colleague, is in the running to take charge of the construction of a tower in Differdange: "we were 7 offices at the start, 5 then we are only 3 now".
The results of the competition, they are expected around mid-June: "We will be very happy if we win, because we have invested a lot of time and resources. But if this is not the case, we can still say that we had a great experience because of the projects of tour, there are not any street corners.
It also happens that the Archimade Workshop focuses on renovation projects, like a relay house located in the north of the country, even "if it is more of two projects in one" note Zakaria Majdouline : "We have renovated the old building, which is classified. It now houses a restaurant, a kitchen, sanitary rooms, an office and a multipurpose room. In its extension, we built a 100% ecological and sustainable extension, with recyclable materials. It will house seven activity rooms ".
Build, a unique experience
Depending on the client, the approach will undeniably vary. "If it is a promoter, it is obviously the profitability aspect of the project that will prevail, even if the aesthetic also comes into account."
On the other hand, for the construction of a single-family house, the situation will be different underlines Zakaria Majdouline: "It's a project at 3, between the office and the couple. An experience that can have ups and downs, both within the couple and between them and me. It is normal that there are sometimes tensions over the duration of a project ".
The final word ? "Building is a unique adventure, communication is essential to not accumulate resentment".
CONTACT
ARCHIMADE WORKSHOP
27 Boulevard Prince Henri L-1724 Luxembourg
Tel: +352 270 48 491
Email: info@atelier-archimade.lu
Website: www.atelier-archimade.lu