Dr Riham Ahmed

My passion is for teaching, practice and research that makes a difference and that investigates the use of environmental context as a generator of ideas. I am a UK RIBA part 2 Architect with over 12 years of experience in Architecture, Architectural Technology, Sustainability and Health and Wellbeing in the Built Environment and Building Information Modelling (BIM).

Between 2010 and 2014, I have led, and significantly contributed to launching the Architectural Digital Design program at two of the most prestigious universities in Saudi Arabia, also I have led the and launched the Environmental Design program. I have taught and supervised over 400 students in 20 different architectural related modules, six of which I have designed and led and successfully managed to obtain accreditation from the Ministry of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia that needed to meet the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council's national standard.

Starting 2014, I was one of the very few who started a career in the UK building industry in the world of BIM. To date, I am a BIM lead and consultant for a number of UK leading Architecture practices like Foster + Partners, and the Subject Lead of BIM at the University of Northampton.

I am awarded a PhD from the Bartlett School of Graduate Studies - UCL, in Environmental Design and Engineering. My research is one of the biggest, in the field of Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort and its relationship with Cognitive Performance of occupants and their productivity and with Environmental Design and Engineering. As such, I authored two key comprehensive journal publications which will contribute significantly to Buildings’ Standards and Policy Formulation of Thermal Comfort and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in educational buildings of adult females in the hot climates relying on air conditioners for cooling and ventilation. I have also contributed in a number of conferences from which my work has received commendation by key researchers in the field, and received the best paper award in the IBPC conference, USA, 2018.

My research was the first to be implemented in the MENA region after proposing evidence based design solutions for the commercial buildings in the hot arid climates. I have been always research active in the region and since the first ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) conference in the region in 2014 to date, I am a key speaker in this conference and was able to create a platform for exchange, dissemination and promote possible collaborations between researchers, investors and capture funds from key institutions in this region, from countries like: Qatar, Bahrain, UEA and Saudi Arabia.

Between 2010 and 2014, I managed to capture a significant fund (around £1.2m) from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Saudi Arabia (projects: 13-ENV1089-89 and 13-ENV928-89) on Environmental Strategic Priorities and Indoor Air Quality. Recently in September 2019, I managed with my team to capture a £150,000 fund from Qatar National Research Fund.

In industry my work covered a wide range of projects including mixed-used, commercial, healthcare and residential buildings in different countries around the world including but limited to USA, UK, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Libya.

At present the Module leader for the Final Major Project (Level 6, 60 credits) and the BIM modules (levels 5 & 6 - 40 credits), and the Visual Communication module (level 4 - 40 credits).

I am launching an MSc course at the University of Northampton in MSc BIM-Enabled Sustainable Buildings’ Design and High-Performance Buildings which will start in September 2021.