Dr. Haithem El-Hammali

Education

• Ph.D. Interior & Environmental Design (BIM). Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX. August 2015 
• M.Sc. Environmental Design. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX May 2014
• M.Sc. Architectural Computing Studies. University of Strathclyde. Glasgow, Scotland. July 2005 
• Postgraduate Diploma (PG). Computer Aided Building Design (RIBA II). University of Strathclyde. Glasgow, Scotland. June 2004
• B.Sc. Architecture and Urban Planning. University of Garyounis. Benghazi, Libya. July 2000.

Biography

Haithem A. El-Hammali (Ph.D., RIBA II, IDEC, Assoc. AIA) is an architect and Associate Professor of Interior Design at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. With two decades of academic and professional experience across Qatar, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Libya, he has dedicated his career to integrating technology in design pedagogically and professionally. He incorporates advanced technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Mixed Reality (XR) tools into his curriculum, preparing students to tackle real-world challenges in the design industry.

In 2012, Haithem and his colleagues gained recognition by winning the Nurture Collegiate Healthcare Design Competition for their innovative cancer center design. This project aimed to develop a technologically advanced, mobile environment to enhance staff workflow, productivity, satisfaction, and well-being.

Research Interests

Dr. El-Hammali’s research focuses on BIM and the integration of advanced computational methods in design education. He explores the intersection of technology and human behavior with the goal of transforming both design education and practice. He is a Principal Investigator (PI) at XLab, a multidisciplinary platform at VCUarts Qatar leveraging emergent technologies to redefine art and design processes. XLab integrates computational methods and innovative approaches to produce cutting-edge artwork and designs.

Publications

• Amor, C., Bendriss, G., El-Hammali, H., Carr, S., & Ghanam, R. (2024). Impact of Fluorescent Lighting Color Temperature on Autistic Cognitive Processes: A Collaborative Exploration between Design, Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences. The Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA 55), Human-Centric Environments. Portland. USA
• El-Hammali, H. & Sulieman. M. (2023) Generative Design in Interior Design: Examining Its Feasibility and Implementation in Practice and Education. EDULEARN 23 Proceedings, (15th annual International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies).
• Suleiman, M., El-Hammali, H. (2022). “Super Local: The Role of Mapping in Site Analysis for Interior Design”. 2022 Interior Design Education Council (IDEC) Annual Conference. New York, USA 
• Zhai, K., Dilawar, A., Yousef, M. S., Holroyd, S., El-Hammali, H., & Abdelmonem, M. (2021). Virtual Reality Therapy for Depression and Mood in Long-Term Care Facilities. Geriatrics (Basel, Switzerland), 6(2), 58. https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics6020058.\
• El-Hammali, H., & Suleiman, M. (2019). “Usability of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Modes for Using BIM and VR in Understanding Building Systems in Interior Design Education”.  1st International Conference on Visualization and Computer-Human Interaction. Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Doha, Qatar.
• Amor, M. C., El-Hammali, H., Suleiman, M. (2019). “The Use of Faro Focus Laser Scanner: Preservation of Qatar Traditional Architectural Heritage”. The Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA 50) Conference. Brooklyn, New York. USA
• El-Hammali, H., Amor, C., & Sulieman, M (2018). “The Level of Implementation of Integrating BIM & GIS Collaboration in Design Education”. 9th ICRTEL 2018 – International Conference on Research in Teaching, Education & Learning. Dubai, UAE
• El-Hammali, H., Suleiman, M., Amor, M. C., Granberg, E. J. (2018). “Integrating Building Information Modeling with Virtual Reality for Learning Building System in Interior & Environmental Design.” EDRA49 Oklahoma City.
• Granberg, J., Suleiman, M., & El-Hammali, H. (2017). “The Inverse Relation Between Scaffolding and Complexity in Design Education”. 9th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies. Barcelona, Spain. 3-5 July, 2017.ISBN: 978-84-697-3777-4 / ISSN: 2340-1117. doi: 10.21125/edulearn.2017
• El-Hammali, H., Amor, C. (2017). BIM in Interior Design Education in Addressing the Needs of Contemporary Design Practice- An Exploratory Study. ICERI2017. 10th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation. Seville-Spain. ISBN: 978-84-697-6957-7

Exhibitions

• Suleiman, M., Hammett, L., El Hammali, H., Al Saad, H., “Digital Materiality,” XLab, VCUarts Qatar, Doha, Qatar. (February 2023 – May 2023).
• Suleiman, M., Hammett, L., El Hammali, H., Buchakajian, C., “Hello, World! Exploring Computational Potential,” XLab, VCUarts Qatar, Doha, Qatar. (November 2021 – February 2022).
• Suleiman, M., El-Hammali, H., Colquhoun, L., Holmes-Dallimore, M. P., Hill, L. M., “A Library Re-Imagined,” Al Multaqa Art Gallery, Doha, Qatar. (March 2020 – May 2020)
• Suleiman, M., El-Hammali, H., Granberg, J., “Once Upon a Precedent,” VCUarts Qatar, Doha, Qatar. (January 2018 – March 2018)