Designer / Educator / Researcher

Design Philosophy / Sara Bensalem’s overall architectural philosophy is that architecture is an extremely personal experience to the user, and as designers, we must enhance that experience to not only benefit functional usefulness but as well as enhance the physical and emotional health of the building users. Bensalem’s approach to design is to integrate purposeful studies to back up design concepts while focusing on the user’s experience. She draws from her scientific training and conducts studies to prove a design hypothesis.

Educational Background / Sara Bensalem has a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Texas at Austin (UT). Bensalem has worked in various fields and continued her studies getting a graduate degree in Nutritional Medicine. She has focused her medical studies on how nutrition and other environmental factors can influence our health. She has combined this interest with Architecture by looking at how the built environment impacts mental and physical health. For example, she has researched the body-building connection and argued that sustainable design principles can be used to enhance healing through impacting the physical and emotional state of people. Sustainable building practices like natural ventilation, lighting, and sustainable materials are not only good for the environment but can help in preventing sick building syndrome. In the case of hospitals, sustainable design practices create healing environments. She continued her research and studies obtaining a Master's of Interior Design at the Paris College of Arts where she researched in what ways learning environments can be influenced by design. She is now continuing her studies at the University of Florida pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy in Architecture.

CV

Education

University of Florida
Doctorate of Philosophy in Architecture
expected 2025

Paris College of Art
Master’s of Interior Design - 2020
Research Thesis: Building-Body Connection

Universite de Rennes 1 - Faculté de Médecine
Diplôme Universitaires - 2015
Nutrition and metabolic diseases
Research Thesis: Composition of the infant diet on risk of development of food allergies

The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Science - 2011
Architectural Studies / Pre Medical Student
High Honors

Technischen Universität München (TUM)
Summer Research Exchange Program: 2010
Architecture / Sustainable Development
Research Thesis: Designing a Healing Environment - Sustainable Healthcare Architecture

Awards

2020 - Fellowship
Terra Foundation for American Art Library - Paris, France

2019 Dean’s List
Paris College of Arts

2017 Award of Excellence
American Society of Landscape Architect Student Awards

2017 - Award of Excellence in the Student Collaboration
American Society of Landscape Architects

2016 - Merit Award Excellence in Architecture
American Institute of Architects Fort Worth

2015 - 4th Place Overall / 3rd Place Engineering / 2nd Place Affordability

USDOE Solar Decathlon


2011 - Graduation with High Honors

UT – School of Architecture

Skills

Languages / French (Native), Darija Arabic (Native), English (Fluent), Spanish (Working Proficiency).

Technical Skills / Building Information Modeling (BIM), Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Graphic Design (Adobe Creative Suite), 3D Modeling (Rhino, SketchUp), digital fabrication (laser-cutting, 3D printing), and web/social media

Work Experience


Créart’lab - Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

Director and Instructor: 2021 – 2022

Worked hand in hand with the President of the association to develop and grow a non-profit art education and enrichment center. Managed growth strategy and budget. Worked with government offices for accreditation. Work with promotional materials including visual merchandising and graphic design of promotional materials. An Instructor of workshops on Architecture, Design, and Art plastique.


Paris College of Art - Paris, France

Assistant to the Chair: 2019 – 2020

Assisted the Chair of the Interior Design Department with the daily operations of the department including recruitment of students, promotional materials, campus tours, and administrative paperwork. Great guests to the campus, answered inquiry emails and answered phones.


NexusHaus – Austin, Texas/Irvine, California

Exteriors Team Lead: 2014 – 2015

Team member in award-winning international design team collaboration between the University of Texas (UT) and Technischen Universität München (TUM) for the United States Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.


Robert Galulsha Design - Austin, Texas

Woodworking Internship: Summer 2014

Internship in a custom wood furniture design and fabrication shop. Utilized heavy equipment and assist designers in the creation of custom wood furniture for international clients.


Southwestern University – Georgetown, Texas

Social Science Research Assistant: 2014

Assisted Business Professor in the research into the pedagogy of business in liberal arts. Produced annotated bibliography, performed library research, complied with peer-reviewed literature, and organized research notes.


The University of Texas at Austin - Austin, Texas Biology Laboratory Prep Staff: 2011

Provided staff support for Biology labs, which included carrying out administrative and laboratory tasks. Prepared solutions, sterilized utensils, calibrated measurement devices, inventoried consumables. Pedagogical work included evaluation of proposed laboratory procedures for teaching labs, suggesting improvements in instruction, and creating courses materials like handouts and videos.


The University of Texas at Austin - Austin, Texas

Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory Assistant: 2010 - 2011

Assisted Professor in Introductory Biology Laboratory: Structure and Function of Organisms for three semesters. Duties involved guiding and teaching students on laboratory procedures and biology concepts. Provided technical support for lab equipment during class. Administered exams and collected/distributed graded assignments.


Subsurface Library - Austin, Texas

Geological Data Researcher: 2005 - 2007

Research Assistant working in State and University subsurface geological reports and databases. Performed archival work to obtain information about subsurface conditions of potential building sites. Worked directly with clients. Expanded digital archives through digitization of historical documents.


TRS Texas - Austin, Texas

Environmental Data Researcher: 2004 - 2005

Performed environmental research for development/redevelopment projects for Environmental Engineers and Architects. Worked with a team of researchers. Worked directly with clients with e-mail correspondence and phone calls.