Cognitions is shaped by a close-knit team of architects, designers, and researchers working across disciplines and geographies.

A black-and-white portrait of a young man wearing glasses and a dark sweater, looking directly at the camera.

FOUNDER

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

    Through Kognitions and the broader EcoSpectrals ecosystem, His work proposes that cities, like minds, are living systems capable of learning, sensing, and adapting. His practice moves between the tangible architecture and the invisible systems defining matter and meaning, form and intention.

STRATEGIC PARTNER

  • Ali is the CEO of Ehsan Engineering Consultants and based in Al Khobar & Dammam. At Kognitions, he connects practice and strategy, fostering partnerships that expand the collective field of the built environment.

    Ali is an architect & educator whose work sits at the intersection of engineering & architecture. He leads with a vision that understands architecture not as an isolated act, but as a negotiation with the social, ecological, and cultural terrains it inhabits.

RESEARCH PARTNER

  • 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.

A black-and-white photo of a man with a beard and styled hair, looking to the side. He is wearing a dark T-shirt and a wristwatch, with arms crossed. The background features a textured wall. 
ASSOCIATE

  • 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.

REGIONAL PARTNER & DESIGNER

  • Zainab Almomatten is a designer and lecturer working at the intersection of 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 the human, digital, and ecological dimensions of sustainability.

COLLABORATOR

  • MohamadJavad is a landscape architect whose work moves between ecology, material culture, and territorial systems. With a master’s in Landscape Architecture from Politecnico di Milano, he explores how design can translate environmental processes into spatial intelligence.

    His approach draws from environmental awareness, narrative composition, and analytical mapping. He has engaged with themes of water, topography, and urban transformation, developing methods that reveal the hidden relationships between nature, infrastructure, and human life.

    At Kognitions he contributes to design explorations that connect territorial ecologies with architecture.

A young man in a black coat standing outdoors with hills and trees in the background. 
COLLABORATOR

  • 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.

Black and white portrait of a young woman with curly hair wearing a white button-up shirt, looking at the camera. 
COLLABORATOR

  • 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.

COLLABORATOR

  • Dr. Riyad Ashmeel is an architect, urban designer, and heritage specialist whose work bridges Saudi Arabia’s architectural identity with emerging digital technologies.

    He is an Assistant Professor at KFUPM and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, where he guides students and practitioners in applying heritage knowledge to modern design and urban development. His work spans national heritage initiatives, international exhibitions, and training with UNESCO, ICCROM, and the Heritage Commission. Across research and practice

A young man with shoulder-length hair, a beard, and mustache, standing outdoors with a cityscape in the background, in black and white. 
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.