Beaconhouse National University (BNU)

Muhammad Omar Farooq is a distinguished architect, academic, and leader in architectural education and practice. With over 23 years of global experience across the US, Germany, the Middle East, and Pakistan, he has played a pivotal role in shaping architectural discourse. His expertise spans large-scale, high-end projects, collaborating with renowned organizations such as the US Army Corps of Engineers, Hyatt International, Marriott Hotels, USAID, The World Bank, and CIDA. Specializing in healthcare, hospitality, and urban development, he brings a comprehensive understanding of design, construction management, and international building standards.

As Head of the Architecture Department at the Razia Hassan School of Architecture (RHSA) at BNU, Farooq has been instrumental in driving academic innovation. Under his leadership, RHSA established the Razia Hassan Center of Development (R-COD), fostering interdisciplinary research through dedicated sub-centers such as the Heritage Center, the Center for Urban and Rural Environment (CURE), and the Emerging Tech Lab. He pioneered the Lab-based Design Studio Model, launched the Bachelor of Interior Design program, and strengthened academic-industry collaborations through the Internship Development Program. His commitment to education extends to curriculum development, contributing to Higher Education Commission (HEC) initiatives and national curriculum reviews.

Farooq’s contributions to architectural thought and practice have earned him prestigious accolades, including the Hospitality Design Award for Hyatt Regency New Brunswick (US) and the Asian Townscape Award for Peshawar’s city beautification. His research, particularly his PhD work on light in Mughal funerary architecture, bridges historical principles with contemporary design methodologies. Beyond academia, he actively engages in conferences, workshops, and grant projects, advancing sustainable architecture, heritage conservation, and urban development. A visionary leader, he continues to shape the architectural landscape by mentoring future architects, fostering critical thinking, and integrating emerging technologies into education and practice.

• PhD Scholar, University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore
• Master of Architecture, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA
• Bachelor of Architecture, National College of Arts, Lahore

• Head of Department & Associate Professor, Razia Hassan School of Architecture, Beaconhouse National University (2021-Present)
• Associate Professor, Institute for Arts and Culture (2019-2021)
• Senior Architect, Unicon Consulting Services (2017-2019)
• Engineer's Assistant & Resident Team Leader, CPG Singapore-ARCOP (JV) (2016-2017)
• Project Architect, Unicon Consulting Services (2011-2016)
• Owner/Principal Architect, Integrated Design Services (2010-Present)
• Project Architect, Meinhardt (2007-2010)
• Project Architect, Stonehill and Taylor Architects (NY, US) (2006-2007)
• Project Architect, TPG Architecture (NY, US) (2005-2006)

• Hospitality Design Award – Hyatt Regency New Brunswick, New Jersey, US: Best Mid-Range Hotel Finalist (2008)
• Asian Townscape Award (2016) – Peshawar City Beautification & Uplift Program (Received by Urban Policy & Planning Unit)
• PCATP, UPU, KPK Design Competition (2017) – Second Position (Category: Restoration of Old Tehsil Building, Abbottabad, Pakistan)
• Donald E. Ferry Award for Outstanding Graduate Thesis Design Project (M.Arch, 2002, USA)
• American Institute of Architects Award for Professional Practice (M.Arch, 2002, USA)
• Distinction in B.Arch Final Year Design Thesis Project (1998, Pakistan)
• Member, PCATP (Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners)

• 23 years of national & international experience (US, Germany, Middle East, Pakistan)
• Led projects for major clients including US Army Corps of Engineers, Hyatt, Marriott, SWIFT, USAID, The World Bank and PKLI
• Expertise in high-end architectural design, construction management, international building codes, and FIDIC contracts
• Leadership in managing teams of 40+ professionals

• Founded R-COD with three specialized sub-centers for research, grants, and collaborations:
• Heritage Center
• Center for Urban and Rural Environment (CURE)
• Emerging Tech Lab
• Launched RHSA Publications Center, including:
• Intersecting Horizons (Published)
• Theoretical Architectural Projects (Planned for Spring 2024)
• Introduced a Lab-Based Design Studio Model, focusing on:
• Wood Workshop (Under construction)
• Emerging Tech Lab (Completed)
• Material Testing Lab (Planned for Spring 2024)
• Established the Internship Development Program (IDP)
• Initiated the B.ID (Bachelor of Interior Design) Program, marking a milestone after 18 years of the Architecture Department’s inception
• Applied for the first grant under the US Ambassador Fund

• Member, Higher Education Commission (HEC) B.Arch and M.Arch Program – National Curriculum Review Committee
• Conducted a review of the M.Arch program based on future trends; the program was put on hold in 2015
• Worked on development of Academic/Training Programs (Post-Graduate Diploma, Certificates, Workshops, Seminars) in the fields of Conservation (of Tangible Culture), Safeguarding (of Intangible Culture), Heritage/ Cultural Tourism, Creative Industries and Landscape Architecture The program has been developed and launched as part of collaboration with Walled City Lahore Authority (WCLA).

• Contributed to the "Integrated Site Management Plan" of Qila Kohna Qasim Bagh, Multan (THAAP-IAC-JERS-Punjab Tourism for Economic Growth Project), funded by the World Bank

• Participated in a 10-day Archaeology Field Workshop at Lahore Fort, conducted by Aga Khan University, London
• Attended a workshop on Urban Policies, organized by USAID-FC College, Lahore
• Organized the "Women in Architecture – Pakistan and UK" Conference (January 2024) in collaboration with UET, WIA-Pakistan, and WIA-UK
• Moderated sessions at the Un-Box Lab Conference at BNU
• Moderated sessions at the AMPS Architecture, Media, Politics, and Society Conference (2022)
• Collaborated with IAC and Walled City Lahore Authority to organize the National Heritage and Tourism Workshop 2020 on Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings/Sites
• Moderated three-day discussions on the National Heritage and Tourism Workshop 2020

• Email Address: omar.farooq@bnu.edu.pk
• Ext Number: 272