Bio

Zayad is an interdisciplinary architect, designer, and researcher with extensive experience in academia and practice. Currently, he holds the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture and Design at XJTLU-Liverpool University in Suzhou, China. In 2014, he founded AmorphouStudio, an award-winning visionary architecture and design studio based in Dubai and Sydney. Additionally, he established U-NAT (United Network for Art, Architecture, and Technology), a research-based collaborative network exploring design possibilities at the intersection of nature, design, and technology.

Zayad's diverse cultural interests have led him to expand his academic and professional portfolio across Australia, New Zealand, China, and the Middle East. Throughout his career, Zayad has held leading design positions in internationally renowned practices, including Woods Bagot and Lava, contributing to a variety of award-winning projects valued from $10M to $570M. Alongside his professional practice, he has taught digital design studios at Auckland University, Sydney University, and UNSW, and served as a guest critic at several universities in Sydney, New Zealand, and across the UAE. His design prowess has earned him several awards, and his work has been featured in notable magazines and websites.

Zayad’s work is a reflection of his fascination by the complex form of order found in patterns and organisations of natural systems. Working at the nexus of human, nature and technology, his work is continuous research on the symbiotic relationship amid nature, architecture, and technology to produce an adaptive, aesthetically sensible, and performance-based design. His recent research examines co-evolutionary possibilities on the interaction between humans and technology (algorithm) in the context of the built environment. This research seeks to foster a dialogue between humans and algorithms through an interactive design process, wherein human designers engage with algorithmic processes (AI) to capture intention and creativity, facilitating a harmonious blend of human ingenuity and computational capabilities.

Professional memberships

  • ARB registered Architect (NSW Architects Registration Board, Australia)
  • RAIA (Member of Royal Australian Institute of Architects)
  • ANZIA (Associate of New Zealand Institute of Architects)

Awards and honours

  • A' Design Award, Silver Medal, Milan Design Week, 2018.
  • AIA Award, Marshes of Mesopotamia Project, Unbuilt Projects, 2013
  • Short Listed, Concept Design of the Year, Middle East Architects Award, Dubai, 2017
  • Tall Buildings, The Symbiotic Towers, Moscow, 2018
  • Zukunftsreport 2019, GolfFuturismus, Future Sustainable Projects in the Gulf, 2019
  • Zukunftsreport - Ecological vision, Marshes of Mesopotamia Project, Future Sustainable Projects 2020