Mohammed N. Alajmi – KARL

Research associate

Mohammed N. Alajmi

KARL Co-Founder · Former Head of Architecture Dept. · Kuwait University

Biography

Dr. Mohammed N. Alajmi is a faculty member at the Department of Architecture, College of Architecture, Kuwait University, where he has taught since 2009. He served as Head of the Department of Architecture from 2018 to 2021, and is the founder and president of the Kuwait Society of Mosque Architecture.

He earned his Ph.D. in Architecture from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (2009), his M.Arch from the University of Texas at Austin (2005), and his B.Arch from King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia (1999). He is a GSAS Certified Green Professional.

His research spans regional and vernacular architecture of the MENA region, Islamic and mosque architecture, urban and housing studies, health and architecture, historic preservation, and architectural pedagogy. He has led international design competitions, co-organized major conferences, and directed traveling studios across the Gulf and East Africa.

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At a glance

7
Journal articles
2
Books
4
Research grants

Research interests

Regional (MENA) architecture Vernacular architecture Islamic architecture Mosque architecture Urban & housing studies Health & architecture Historic preservation Architectural pedagogy Spatial behavior in souqs

Publications

7 journal articles

Placemaking2025

Food trucks as temporary place-makers: Insights from Qurtoba, Kuwait

Alshaheen, R., Alajmi, M., Alharoun, Y., & Al-Saqobi, A.

Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research

DOI

Mosque architecture2024

Kuwait's circular prototype mosque design: A history and comprehensive evaluation

Alajmi, M. N., Al-Haroun, Y., Alshaheen, R., & Al-Nafisi, M.

Open House International, 49(3), 609–633

Funded by Kuwait University Research Grant No. VA02/23

DOI

Mosque architecture2023

Convergence through courtyards: Spatial identity and meanings in Xi'an's Great Mosque

Alajmi, M., & Hu, X.

Journal of Engineering Research, ICMA Special Issue

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Heritage & space2023

Zoos from private to public spaces: A case study of Kuwait's Salwa Garden

Alshaheen, R., Alharoun, Y., & Alajmi, M.

Journal of Engineering Research, 100031

DOI

Mosque architecture2022

An architectural analytical study of contemporary minaret design in Kuwait

Alajmi, M., & Al-Haroun, Y.

Journal of Engineering Research, 10(1A), 48–66

DOI

Urban studies2021

Access to the public realm: The comparative study of physical forms and uses of neighborhood open spaces in Seattle, Kuwait City and Xi'an

Alajmi, M., & Hu, X.

The International Journal of Architectonic, Spatial, and Environmental Design, 16(2), 1–14

DOI

Vernacular architecture2018

Understanding socio-cultural spaces between the Hadhar and Badu houses in Kuwait

Al-Haroun, Y., & Alajmi, M.

Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, 12(3), 68–89

DOI

Books

2 volumes

Editor2022

The Mosque: A Cross-cultural Building — Research Book

Al Naim, M. A., Alajmi, M. N., Al Huneidi, H. M., & Khattab, O. (eds.)

Kuwait University Press, Kuwait

Contributor2020

The Moment and the Place: Mosque Architecture in the Twenty-First Century

Alajmi, M. — in Al Naim, M. & Al Sayyed, W. (eds.)

Taward Media and Publishing, Beirut

Grants & funded research

4 grants

Grant No. VA01/25 · Kuwait University

The correlation between spatial configuration and human behavior in traditional souk: the case of Mubarakiya souk in Kuwait City

Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development · 2025

Fully funded field mission to inspect proposed locations for Kuwait–Tunisia Friendship Monuments

Grant No. VA02/23 · Kuwait University

Kuwait's prototype mosque designs: A history and comprehensive evaluation

Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development · 2019

Fully funded field mission to inspect proposed locations for Kuwait–Lebanon Friendship Monuments

Awards & recognition

Advanced Teaching Excellence Workshop — UC Berkeley / KFAS (2018 & 2017)

Best Online Course Award — College of Engineering, Kuwait University (2010–2011)

Recognition Award for Historic Building Preservation — National Council for Culture, Arts & Literature (2012)

Technical Reviewer — 3rd Cycle of Abdullatif Al Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture (2019)

GSAS Certified Green Professional — Design & Build (2019)

KFAS Certificate of Appreciation — 20th & 22nd Engineering Design Exhibitions (2011)

Kuwait University Master & Ph.D. Scholarship (2003–2009)

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