M.Sc. Thesis · KFUPM · Architecture & City Design
Hey there, I’m
Shibli Afaq
I was always driven by simple questions:
How do the spaces we design shape how we feel and live?Why do some places feel welcoming while others feel exhausting and harsh?
I began my career as an architect in India, designing with human comfort at the centre. Over four years of practice, I realized our most urgent climate challenges, like extreme heat and changing weather, cannot be solved one building at a time. The problem is city-wide. To tackle these challenges at scale, I pursued an M.Sc. in Smart & Sustainable Cities at KFUPM (4.0 / 4.0 GPA).
#01
4.0
GPA
KFUPM
KFUPM
#02
4+
Industry
Experience
Experience
#03
6+
Architectural
Projects
Projects
#04
3
Research
Projects
Projects
#05
3
Research
Papers
Papers
Looking at
the Whole Picture
Cities are living, interconnected ecosystems that actively alter local weather patterns and trap heat. Seeing this reality made my focus clear: combining my architecture background with satellite data, urban analytics, and machine learning to build real, actionable tools for climate adaptation.
The Cost
of Inaction
This view shows what happens if extreme heat and emissions continue unchecked: expanding deserts, lost polar ice, and unlivable cities.
Drag and explore the globe to see the projected impact of unchecked climate change.
Urban Heat Islands
Where the heat
becomes personal
Cities worldwide are heating up, and living in an extreme arid climate made the danger of Urban Heat Islands personal and visible every day.
Explore the map to see how targeted urban interventions lower surface temperatures.
Research Direction
Turning Data
into Action
Design Direction
Making better
spaces for people
Selected Work
Selected Research &
Architectural Work
The projects span satellite thermal mapping, real-time IoT pipelines, published comfort frameworks (Springer Nature), and sustainable architectural design. My journey explores an effort to connect design, data science, and climate resilience.
CRP 583: Urban Informatics · KFUPM · Jan–May 2026
GIS & Remote Sensing UHI Assessment — Dammam Metropolitan Area
ICS 574: Big Data Analytics · KFUPM · Fall 2025
Real-Time Smart City IoT Monitoring Pipeline
ICS 574: Big Data Analytics · KFUPM · Fall 2025
Multi-City Surface Temperature · 134 Cities at Landsat 30 m
CE 584: Intelligent Transportation Systems · KFUPM · Jan–Apr 2026 · Team of 4
ITS-Based Congestion Management — Aramco Stadium Corridor, Al Khobar
Discover Cities (Springer Nature) · 2026 · 3:123 · Open Access · Published
A Systematic Review of Soundscape and Thermal Comfort Interactions in Hot-Arid Environments
InfraVision 2026 · Student Competition
The Urban Mycelium Network · A Self-Financing Cooling Corridor
Hospitality
ODR
28 sheets
School library
LKCR
12 sheets
Mixed use
MTS
6 sheets
Hospitality · landscape
Jonha Eco Resort
14 sheets
Private residence
Dr. Nitesh Residence
6 sheets
B.Arch Thesis · BIT Mesra · 2021
Twin Tower Complex
69 storeys · Net-zero energy · Diagrid structure · Full BIM
Studies, competitions, sketches
Miscellaneous
14 sheets
M.Sc. Smart & Sustainable Cities · KFUPM · B.Arch · BIT Mesra
Projects
- M.Sc. Research
- Architecture
Skills
Tools & Methods
Push them around · click to scatter
Spatial & GIS
Data Pipelines & Analytics
Architecture & Design
Research Methods
Creative & Personal
Background
Experience & Education
Let me walk you through the Journey so far in 90’s gaming style.
-
Aug 2025 – Aug 2026 (Expected)
Master of Science in Smart & Sustainable Cities
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, KSA
Cumulative GPA: 4.0/4.0 · Specialisation in Urban Informatics & Sustainability Thesis: Smart Digital Twin Framework for Urban Heat Island Monitoring, Forecasting, and Mitigation. Coursework: Big Data Analytics, Smart City Systems & IoT, GIS & Spatial Analysis, Environmental Economics, Urban Informatics, Circular Economy.
GPA 4.0/4.0 · Specialisation in Urban Informatics & Sustainability Thesis: Smart Digital Twin Framework for Urban Heat Island Monitoring, Forecasting, and Mitigation. Coursework: Big Data Analytics, Smart City Systems & IoT, GIS & Spatial Analysis, Environmental Economics, Urban Informatics, Circular Economy.
I decided to pursue an M.Sc in Smart and Sustainable Cities at KFUPM to learn more about cities.
GPA 4.0 / 4.0 -
Mar 2022 – Aug 2025
Project Architect
Metarch Studios · Ranchi, India
Led the full project lifecycle for a $720K commercial, educational, and residential portfolio with 100% on-time and on-budget delivery. Managed multi-disciplinary teams across 4 concurrent projects, reducing construction change orders by 8% and coordination delays by 10%. Boosted team drawing delivery speed by 15% through workflow standardisation and pioneered BIM/3D visualisation pipelines, increasing client satisfaction by 20%.
Led the full project lifecycle for a $720K commercial, educational, and residential portfolio with 100% on-time and on-budget delivery. Managed multi-disciplinary teams across 4 concurrent projects, reducing construction change orders by 8% and coordination delays by 10%. Boosted team drawing delivery speed by 15% through workflow standardisation and pioneered BIM/3D visualisation pipelines, increasing client satisfaction by 20%.
I rejoined the Metarch Studios office and this time leading the projects.
-
May 2021 – Apr 2022
Graphic Designer
Medicfibers · New Delhi, India
Crafted strategic investment pitch decks and visual brand assets supporting capital funding campaigns. Developed and executed a comprehensive social media strategy expanding online audience engagement by 3× and increasing overall brand visibility by 40%.
Crafted strategic investment pitch decks and visual brand assets supporting capital funding campaigns. Developed and executed a comprehensive social media strategy expanding online audience engagement by 3× and increasing overall brand visibility by 40%.
I joined this office for a detour into graphic design because of the job scarcity during the pandemic.
-
Jan 2021 – May 2021
Architectural Intern
Jaiswal & Associates · New Delhi, India
Produced comprehensive 3D models, renders, floor plans, sections, & elevations for 10+ diverse projects (residences, group housing, factories) using industry-standard software. Developed a high-profile kiosk for MS Dhoni’s organic farm business, adhering to branding guidelines and exceeding client expectations.
Produced comprehensive 3D models, renders, floor plans, sections, & elevations for 10+ diverse projects (residences, group housing, factories) using industry-standard software. Developed a high-profile kiosk for MS Dhoni’s organic farm business, adhering to branding guidelines and exceeding client expectations.
I went to Delhi for a five-month internship, and I learned a lot there.
-
May 2019 – Jun 2019
Architectural Intern
Metarch Studios · Ranchi, India
Gained professional studio experience producing precise working drawings and 3D models/renderings for interior and exterior design projects.
Gained professional studio experience producing precise working drawings and 3D models/renderings for interior and exterior design projects.
The second summer internship in my favorite office.
-
May 2018 – Jun 2018
Architectural Intern
Chadda and Associates · Ranchi, India
Contributed directly to real-world infrastructure projects by drafting floor plans, building sections, elevations, and structural drawings for municipal permitting and private development initiatives.
Contributed directly to real-world infrastructure projects by drafting floor plans, building sections, elevations, and structural drawings for municipal permitting and private development initiatives.
My first real office; it was hard learning the professional dynamics.
-
Jul 2016 – Jun 2021
Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) — First Class with Distinction
Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra · Ranchi, India · CGPA: 7.61/10
Cumulative GPA: 7.61/10.0 · First Class with Distinction Thesis: Twin Tower Complex – Mixed-Use Net-Zero Energy High-Rise Development. Leadership: Vice President of the Student Society of Architecture (orchestrated events for 300+ members and led the Vajra Pavilion build); Executive Member of the National Service Scheme (managed welfare initiatives for 10 villages). Awards: 1st Place Interior Design Trophy (Zonasa 2019) · 2nd Place Café Design (NASA 2017) · National Top 66 Finalist (ANDC Embark 2019) · Shortlisted Main Design Trophy (Zonasa 2018).
Cumulative GPA: 7.61/10.0 · First Class with Distinction Awards: 1st Place Interior Design Trophy (Zonasa 2019); 2nd Place Café Design (NASA 2017); Shortlisted Main Design Trophy (Zonasa 2018); National Top 66: Embark Competition (ANDC 2019).
My first college, I spent five years here and learned how to think like an Architect.
First Class with Distinction
Contact
Let’s Collaborate & Connect
I am actively seeking fully funded PhD positions in urban climate informatics, spatial data science, and digital twins for climate resilience, with an open focus on leading research labs in North America, Europe, the UK, Asia-Pacific, and the GCC.
I also welcome opportunities for smart city research positions, urban data science roles, and geospatial consultancy globally and regionally.
If you are working on extreme heat adaptation, environmental data pipelines, or urban analytics, let’s connect.
shibliafaq4@gmail.comElsewhere
Off the clock
Sketches, site visits, and the occasional sunset over Dhahran. The other half of the person doing the research.