Dr. Susana Saraiva
Assistant Professor of Architecture
Biography:
Dr Susana Saraiva holds a Licenciado degree and a PhD in Architecture from the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto, Portugal (FAUP). She also has a Postgraduate Diploma in Urban Studies from the Bauhaus Kolleg, Dessau, Germany. She specialises in Urban History, Housing and Behaviour.
Dr Susana Saraiva has been an assistant professor in the Department of Engineering and Architecture of Al-Yamamah University in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia since 2025. Previously she was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of
Architecture and Interior Design of the College of Engineering of the University of Bahrain from 2012-2024. Before that, she was a research assistant at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto (FAUP) from 2004-2006.
As an instructor, she has oriented students who won numerous architecture competitions and awards in the MENA region.
Susana is a fellow member of the Portuguese Architects Association (OA) since 2004 and has practiced architecture professionally through her Porto-based architecture office ‘Metroquadrado’ since 2001. The company’s projects range from housing to commercial and services, as well as new refurbishments and adaptive reuse. The practice has won several architecture awards and been featured in various renowned architecture magazines and online platforms. While in Bahrain, she also collaborated with the Projects Division of the University of Bahrain and won numerous competitions in the Kingdom.
Publications:
Saraiva, S. (2025). “Methodological Approaches for Residential Evidence-Base Design - Case Study Bahrain, in proceedings of the 2nd International Conference (IIDT 2025): Inspiration and Innovation Design Trends, Aahlia University, Bahrain, 27-28 January.
Saraiva, S. (2024). “Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain”, in Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World, 2nd Ed., Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
Saraiva, S., Serra, M., Furtado, G. (2019). “Rethinking Contemporary Domestic Space Organization: patterns of alterations in Bahrain subsidised housing projects ”, proceedings of 12th Space Syntax Symposium, Beijing, China 8-13 July.
Saraiva, S., Serra, M., Furtado, G. (2017). “Continuity and Rupture: traditional and subsidised housing in Bahrain”, proceedings of 11th Space Syntax Symposium, Lisbon 3-7 July.
Saraiva, S. (2013). “Etics for Residential Buildings in Bahrain”, proceedings of Energy and Water Conservation Expo and Forum, Bahrain, June 16-18.
Conferences:
Saraiva, S. (2025). To Reuse or Not To Reuse: a reflection on the complexities of dealing with existing building stock and possible suggestions for the case of Modern retail spaces in Bahrain”. Keynote Speaker in “Evolution and Adaptive Reuse of Modern Retail Spaces”, DOCOMOMO Bahrain, February 8th.
Saraiva S. (2014). “Rethinking Urban Boundaries in Bahrain”. Key Note Speaker in [IN] Accessible Mawane, Muharraq, Bahrain.
Saraiva, S. (2011). “The Bata System: Urban Planning, Architecture and the Sociology of Power”. Lecture at the Bauhaus Foundation, Dessau, Germany.
Saraiva, S. (2011). “Bata Cities vs Thames Gateway Projects”. Lecture at the AA London (Architectural Association), School of Architecture on 21st January.
Teaching:
Current Teaching:
- ARCH210 – Architectural Design I
- ARCH211 – Architectural Design II
- ARCH214 – Building Materials and Components
- ARCH302 – Building Construction II
- ARCH 303 – Landscape and Site Planning
Undergraduate Teaching
- Housing
- Urban Design
- Architectural Design II, III, IV, V
- Contemporary Architecture
- Working Drawings I
- Graduation Project I
- Graduation Project II
Services:
Chair of the Eskan Bank Award for Creative Engineering 2014-2024, Bahrain
Chair of the course Portfolio Committee, University of Bahrain
Chair of Competitions Committee, University of Bahrain
Member of the University of Bahrain Quality Assurance Committee for the Bachelor of Architecture program
Member of the University of Bahrain Bachelor of Architecture Program, NAAB accreditation 2014, 2021
Member of the University of Bahrain Bachelor of Architecture Program, BQA accreditation 2016, 2022.
Member of the University of Bahrain, Bachelor of Architecture, National Qualifications Framework 2021
Member of the Senior Projects Annual Exhibition, College of Engineering, University of Bahrain
Member of the Bahrain Annual Garden Show (architecture design chair) 2018-2023
Liaison Member between the Bahrain Ministry of Works and the University of Bahrain
Representative of the University of Bahrain in the Expert Meeting on Modern heritage in the Arab Region, Manama, Bahrain, 2024.