Sadiq & Polack

Architecture

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Extension/Renovation

2025
The design for Al Furqan school on an 66 square meter plot in a lower-income area has responded to several issues that the densely populated city of Karachi faces.

Extension/Renovation

2024
This residential extension in Brussels was designed to strengthen the connection between indoor living and the surrounding garden.

Extension/Renovation

2024
A small yet impactful residential extension in Flanders was conceived to seamlessly connect the ground-floor living space with the garden, enhancing both visual continuity and the sense of openness.

Extension/Renovation

2024
This small-scale renovation in Brussels incorporates an extension which is connected to the garden at the back.

Extension/Renovation

2024
This medium scale residential extension and renovation in Flanders was conceived through a carefully considered architectural strategy that harmonizes structural renovation, functionality and landscape.

Extension/Renovation

2024
A Modular, Sustainable, Flexible and Emergency Responsive Circus School Inspired Spatial Solution for Education / Physical and Mental Health / Youth and Community Development for Khan al Ahmar in Palestine.

Design/Educational

2024
In 2024, Sadiq & Polack Architects/Planners were introduced to the Sindh Singhar Initiative (SSI) working on rural development in the Thatta region of Sindh.

Restoration/Renovation

2024
A landmark restoration project, the interior renewal of Khalikdina Hall & Library transforms a historic site into an inclusive, multicultural public space in the rapidly evolving city of Karachi.

Extension/Renovation

2024
In this renovation project, the client aimed to create a home for her family while offering rental units for other single mothers.

Renovation

2023
Adaptive reuse of a heritage building near the center of Brussels, from a single family to a multi-family house.

Extension/Renovation

2023
The incorporation of extended sloped roof of garage with Prefabricated Extension.

Extension/Renovation

2022
This medium scale renovation in Etterbeek – Brussels is a transformation of two floors into two Duplex apartments with terraces creating a contemporary design in a classical building.

Urbanism/Heritage/Public Space

2022
SAP participated in a world wide Illustration Competition organized by Alberta University on “Reimagining Public Spaces and Built Environment in the Post Pandemic World.
Competition
2022
SAP won the ADA 3rd Cycle Award for the category, ” Architectural Competition – A Place for All”.
Competition
2022
SAP participated in a world wide Illustration Competition organized by Alberta University on “Reimagining Public Spaces and Built Environment in the Post Pandemic World.
Extension/Renovation
2022
This cozy extension and interior design of a multigenerational residence in Brussels required accommodating the needs of an older couple in a micro space attached to the residence of their children.
Renovation
2022
This medium scale renovation in Auderghem – Brussels accommodates residential and commercial functions on four building levels.
Renovation
2022
This small-scale renovation in Hoeilaart – Belgium was planned post Covid-19, leading to the functional rethinking of defunct flat roofs, gardens, balconies, and terraces.
Renovation
2022
This adaptation of a Flemish farmhouse into a multi-cultural centre required redeveloping the existing buildings as well as adding new ones.
Extension/Renovation
2022
This small scale extension explores the maximization of space with minimal resources. Renovating the facade with a contemporary terrace and a dormer window, the compact space inside has been enlarged to accommodate the family’s spatial needs.
Extension
2022
This project in Flanders is an extension of a small attic of a two-storey house into a loft. The design process explored multiple efficient layouts to get in maximum sunlight to brighten the interior.
Innovative Space
2022
This design proposal was prepared for the Mali mission at the Sustainability Expo organized in 2021 in Senegal. The layout was inspired by the important symbols of African village life.
Innovative Space
2022
A terraced Zen Garden catering to a young family’s recreational need to play, relax and connect with nature across seasons.
Orphanage
2022
This design study for an orphanage project in Taxila, Pakistan was foreseen to grow over a decade providing a nurturing environment for young girls.

Competition/Educational

2021

Adaptable and Flexible Prototype School Design using contemporary vernacular techniques. A place accessible to all stakeholders whilst promoting Child and Community Development, Skills and Income Upgradation, Local Craftsmanship and Materials Revival resulting in “A PLACE FOR ALL – SCHOOL MAKING REDEFINED”

Adaptive Reuse/Heritage/Religious Building

2020 – Ongoing

This mosque design explores the contemporary questions of creating multipurpose and overlapping forms of public and religious architecture in Europe through the unravelling of the hidden challenges of cultural integration, politics of space and minorities rights to community spaces.

Adaptive Reuse/Heritage

2019 – Ongoing

The adaptive re-use of a photovoltaic cell- producing lab into an artist’s studio/office and a transit storage space. Seemingly simple, the design is a result of a rigorous interfacing of new and old functions, structures and the surrounding landscape, achieved via the interaction and collaboration between the architects, engineers, ecologists, artists, gardeners and craftsmen involved in this project.

Extension/Renovation

2020 – 2021

The creation of a low-budget, multi-level relaxation space within a compact residential space which merges with the existing garden, creating the Inside-Outside interaction as the central focus.

Extension/Renovation

2020 – 2021

Converting the “Backside” of a house into an aesthetic outside space/ garden through the development of a compact extension in wood with a roof garden.

Competition

2019

Inspired on the values of Belgian lacemaking craft precision, time efficiency, low-cost design, waste minimization, optimization of form exploration and structural possibilities. This proposal was a salute to the country’s tangible / intangible craft and industrial knowledge via contemporary interpretation.

Public Building

2014

A master plan for the extension of the Embassy of Pakistan combining the old 19th century buildings with new multifunctional structures guaranteeing maximum security and efficiency, while retaining a feeling of serenity by integrating the surrounding landscape into the total scheme.

Competition/Heritage

2014

A competition proposal for giving a new life to the heritage building of the Groenendaal station in the form of an experiential entrance “threshold” to the ecologically rich Zonien forest surrounding it.  

Extension/Renovation

2013

The careful contemporization of a modernist house safeguarding its architectural qualities,while increasing its comfort and services.

Recreational/Public Building

2011

This complex of buildings is inspired by its amazing dessert landscape and integrates the local crafts for the promotion and facilitation of local and international tourism in the Nagarpakar dessert region in Pakistan.

Adaptive Reuse/Heritage

2011

The tangible and intangible aspects of heritage conservation were addressed by incorporating social history, informal economy and local craftsmanship resulting in a comprehensive project.

Recreational/Landscape

2010

The creation of a greenscape in a desolate industrial setting of Landhi in the form of a cricket ground and supporting recreational facilities.

Educational

2010

In this low cost school project, the circulation spaces were capitalized to become spaces of interaction between students and teachers creating lively corridors, in between and spill out spaces.

Mixed Use

2010

The creation of a serene residential complex amidst a harsh industrial environment making everyday life easy and attractive for the end users.

Adaptive Reuse/Heritage

2009

A thorough Documentation and Adaptive Reuse study prepared for the Heritage Committee – Culture Department of the Sindh Government, for scrutiny and approval. Done in collaboration with Arcop Pvt. Ltd, Karachi.

Recreational/Landscape

2009

The creation of an oasis at the foothill of the rocky, majestic and historic Kot Digi fort providing a resting space for the locals and tourists alike.

Educational

2008 – 2011

The development of a new building around a “central pedestrian spine” which, besides being a circulation space, would perform the role of a space for interaction, between the students of different disciplines and also become a space for informal interactions between students and teachers promoting intellectual and social interactions.

Adaptive Reuse/Heritage

2008

The careful “opening up” of a historic ground floor elevation for stimulating its commercial feasibility whilst maintain the historic value of the building and its surrounding heritage.   

Adaptive Reuse/Heritage

2008

The current value of the project was maximized by the making of a retail market while responding to the historic value of the structure on site, respecting both the local and city traditions.

Competition/Public Building

2008

The circulatory spine of the project became the organizing factor for all functions; private, public and semi-public. Circulation and adjoining spaces were seen as inter – connected places of interaction, relaxation and public gatherings.

Prototype/Rehabilitation 

2007

This self-initiated post-disaster project was inspired on promoting local traditional techniques and community participation. It was replicated by some NGO’s and drew media attention.

Recreational/Landscape

2007

The integration of landscape and recreational, sport and educational facilities for an Equestrian Centre and International Standard Horse Race Track in the Al Nawa Buffer zone, Yanbu Al Sinay , KSA.

Educational

2007

With its colorful and new outlook this building became a landmark on the main campus NED University. A courtyard surrounded by rooms on 3 sides became a source of light and air intake and a place of interaction and socializing.

Recreational

2007

A Thai Culture inspired restaurant within a modernist building in Islamabad.

Prototype/Healthcare

2007

Design of 3 Primary Health Clinics with attached neighbourhood parks for Yanbu, KSA. These health clinics with green parks became a place of interaction for the local community.

Public Building

2007

The creation of a master plan by combining a feeling of serenity via nature whilst guaranteeing maximum security and efficiency in the functional spaces for the Belgian Embassy in Islamabad (Pakistan). 

Educational

2007

The preparation of a detailed Masterplan wherein the landscape became a tool for the integration  of the old buildings and the new extensions and the renovation of the existing school premises.

Recreational/Landscape

2006

Reimagining the boundary wall as architecture and a productive threshold between the “inside” and the “outside” creating productive and recreational spaces for the local community.

Recreational/Landscape

2005

Eco-tourist center (guesthouse and information hall) on the Makraan Coast in Sonmiani (In Partnership with Architect/Planner Arif Hasan).

Master Planning

2004

The integration of the existing landscape and buildings as structuring grid for the expansion of a car manufacturing facility keeping efficiency and functionality intact.   

Educational

2004

The design and construction of Labs for the Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department of NED-UET University.

Educational

2004

The design and construction of Labs for the Telecommunication Department of NED-UET University.

Educational

2004

Building no.4 is situated within the historic and heritage context of the City Campus of NED University. This contemporary structure respects the historic fabric around it and integrates the old with the new.

Educational

2003

This building was the first on Main Campus NED University to use a bright color on its façade which became a favourite landmark for the students who nicknamed it the “English Building”. Many exterior and interior details were done to create a lively and comfortable environment for the students and staff.  

Adaptive Reuse/Heritage

2003

An adaptive reuse project, Sindh Zamindar hotel in down town Karachi was designed as an amalgamation of façade retention and restoration  respecting the old structure while incorporating new functions and contemporary needs.

Prototype/Religious Building

2001

The creation of a climatically sustainable and minimal prototypical Prayer Hall for the PSO petrol pumps which got replicated all over Pakistan.

Jean Michel

1972-2011 – Les Architectes Polak

Jean-Michel Polak ( Belgium, 12 June 1943 ) did his internship with renowned Mexican Architect, Ricardo Legoretta and later managed Les Architectes Polak together with his father and uncle.

He designed an important Home for elderly people in Brussels, Government buildings School Complexes, Office buildings and Industrial buildings, all over Belgium.

He has compiled and published his sketches of pre-Columbian art and monuments of Mexico and Brussels and is currently writing a book on the history of “Les Architectes Polak”. He is still actively advising his son Christophe Polack on design and management issues arising in the present architectural practice, “The Architects Polak” and the new “Sadiq and Polack”

Andre

1945-2008 - Les Architectes Polak

André Polak ( Switzerland, 19 January 1914 – Hoeilaart, April 2, 1988 ) and Jean Polak (Switzerland, 13 June 1920 – Uccle 16 February 2012) took over their fathers’ practice and expanded it by getting involved in the massive real estate developments in Brussels after the Second World War.

They actively participated in the transformation of Brussels. Qualitative by default, their conception of office complexes, residential and commercial apartments have been impressive. In the 1970’s, André Polak’s son Jean-Michel Polak also joined the office as an architect.

The most important and monumental building of their time in Les Architectes Polak done in collaboration with civil engineer Andre Waterkyn is the monument called “ATOMIUM” in Brussels. Built as a part of the 1958 Expo held in Brussels. This building has become the emblem of modern Brussels and the architectural pride of Belgium.

Other important landmark buildings include the CERIA Campus in Brussels (1948), The national bank of Congo (1950), The office building for A.G.(1956), The Generali tower in Brussels (1966).

Michel

1922-1945 - Les Architectes Polak

Michel Polak ( Mexico, January 27, 1885 – Brussels, October 4, 1948) was an architect of Swiss origin. From 1921 onwards he lived in Belgium, where he received important commissions.

After obtaining his title of architect at the Polytechnic School of Zurich (1903-1907) he attended classes at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris between 1907 and 1911. 1917 onwards he worked with the Swiss architect Alfred Hoch.

He settled five years later in Brussels on the invitation of the businessman in real estate and financier Lucien Kaisin and started his practice called Les Architectes Polak. He was given the commission of building, a complex of luxury apartments called “Residence Palace“ in Brussels.

Michel Polak is well known for his Art Deco buildings of the interwar period in Brussels. He mastered many architectural styles and could also combine flawlessly art deco, classicism, and modernism. He had a large knowledge of materials and could apply it well in his designs. His projects are considered an important part of the architectural heritage of Brussels. After the Second World War, his architecture practice Les Architectes Polak was continued by his two sons, André, and Jean Polak.

Asiya

2021 onwards – Sadiq and Polack Architects

Practicing in Belgium for the last 8 years has brought forward a new multicultural identity for the practice. Capitalizing on the diverse backgrounds and expertise of the duo the practice is taking a new shape in the form of “Sadiq and Polack Architects” and aspires to reach out to a wider audience globally.

The transformations experienced in the last 100 years are logically taking a new turn to address contemporary issues pertaining to cities. These range from situating the practice in the middle scale amalgamating architecture and its larger contextual realities addressing design issues like, sustainability, climate change, emerging architectural and urban design typologies, post-pandemic habitats and creation of alternative practice models.

Asiya

2000 - 2020 – The Architects Polack

Christophe Polack (Belgium, 08 October 1972) started his architectural practice with Les Architectes Polak in Brussels in 1997. In the year 2000, he got married to Asiya Sadiq and moved to Karachi – Pakistan where they started a sister practice called “The Architects Polack”. After practicing in Pakistan and the region for 12 years, he moved backed to Belgium and has continued with the practice.