Cognitions is a shaped by a core team & an extended community working across architecture, engineering, sustainability & design.

FOUNDER

  • Abdul Wasae is the founder of Cognitions, working at the intersection of architecture, construction technology, sustainability and urban regeneration. With an MSc in Building & Architectural Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, his work spans diverse geographies, identifying synergies across disciplines and cultures.

    His work focuses on translating complexity into clear design direction, connecting clients, consultants, researchers, and local partners.

    Wasae is a Living Future Accredited professional, Fitwel Ambassador, and LEED Green Associate, reflecting his commitment to healthier buildings, responsible material choices, and future facing environmental standards.

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ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEER

  • Andrey is a licensed architect with a Master's in Building & Architectural Engineering from Politecnico di Milano. With a Russian-Italian heritage, his work explores circularity, conservation, and visionary planning.

    He balances design with practicality to design solutions that tackle challenges while keeping people at the core. Beyond architecture, he is a swimmer and certified lifeguard.

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ARCHITECT

  • Sofia Ibrahimi is a Moroccan architect working at the crossroads of cultural heritage, material innovation, and environmental sustainability. She holds a master’s degree from the Casablanca School of Architecture, where she researched earthen construction and the rehabilitation of architectural heritage.

    With over six years of experience, including five at Studio KO in Paris and Marrakech, she has contributed to projects across Europe, Morocco, and the Middle East. As founder of SiStudio, her work explores circular construction using natural, renewable, and locally grounded materials such as earth and stone, integrating passive systems and adaptable design to promote ecological and climate-responsive architecture.

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ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEER

  • Kwadwo specializes in Construction Technology & Management, with a Master’s in Building and Architectural Engineering from Politecnico. Passionate about Building Energy Modeling and Sustainable Technologies, he integrates eco-friendly solutions into modern construction.

    Originally from Ghana, his experience spans Italy and France, demonstrating adaptability and innovation across cultures. Beyond architecture, he once apprenticed as a Neapolitan pizza maker—proof that craftsmanship, whether in buildings or food, is all about precision and passion.

URBAN RESERACHER

  • Liliana is a "research whisperer," working at the intersection of human experience into spatial intelligence with a background spanning urban planning, psychology, and sociology.

    Based in Australia, her experience includes leading digital integration across large-scale masterplans in Saudi Arabia, stakeholder engagement, innovation commercialisation, building collaborative partnerships connecting government, academia, and industry, and translating research findings into practical policy and design applications.

    She is the founding director of Versitu, a built environment innovation consultancy specialising in evidence-based placemaking and strategic planning.

Discover Our Community.

A network of minds architects, designers, engineers, researchers, and collaborators connected through shared inquiry and long-term thinking.

Join Our Community 
STRATEGIC COLLABORATOR - EAST KSA

  • Ali Al Abbad is the CEO of Ehsan Engineering Consultants, based between Al Khobar and Dammam. An architect and educator, his work bridges architecture, engineering, and the wider social and cultural dimensions of the built environment.

    As part of the Cognitions community, he contributes regional insight, professional perspective, and dialogue around how architecture negotiates with the social, ecological, and cultural terrains it inhabits.

REGIONAL COLLABORATOR - EAST KSA

  • Zainab Almomatten is a designer and lecturer working across spatial design, digital innovation, and social sustainability. She holds a Master’s degree in Interior and Spatial Design from Politecnico di Milano and has trained at the Rhode Island School of Design in the United States, bringing a cross-cultural perspective to her work.

    At KFUPM, she teaches in the Integrated Design Department, advancing design education that connects human experience, digital tools, and ecological responsibility.

    At Cognitions, Zainab contributes perspective on spatial design, regional context, and socially responsive approaches to the built environment.

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ENGINEER & TECHNICAL COLLABORATOR

  • Pavel merges architectural and engineering innovation with mindful sustainability. With a background in strategic design and construction management, he navigates the complexities of spatial design across Russia and Armenia.

    His work is shaped by a deep appreciation for community narratives, ecological relationships, and the interplay of light and space. An analog photographer at heart, he brings emotion and storytelling into every project, forging deeper connections between design, place, and people.