At Cornelia Studio, we believe that architecture is more than buildings. It is a living human experience, a quiet dialogue between people, place, and time. We aim to create spaces where every place carries meaning — deeply connected to its context and truly serving the people who use it, not only through function, but through feeling and belonging.
Each project begins from first principles, guided by one essential question: why. Why does this place exist? Why does it matter? And how can architecture gently support life within it?
To answer this, we carry out careful and holistic studies of everything surrounding the project — the land, culture, climate, people, and memory. We explore many possibilities and choose each architectural element with intention, from the organization of space to the materials and details, believing that every part shapes the whole.
We hope for a world where architecture and life are more deeply connected — where buildings feel alive, rooted, and human. In every project, we seek to tell a story: of the place, of the people, and of ourselves — leaving behind a quiet, beautiful trace that reflects our belief that architecture can touch the soul and make life feel more meaningful.
the founders
Alaa alshafey
An Architectural Engineer with a strong professional background in business development, studio management, and strategic growth within architectural practice, alongside solid experience in architectural design, execution, and project coordination across residential, commercial, and governmental sectors in the Middle East region.
Alaa combines a solid academic foundation—strengthened through her role as an educational consultant—with hands-on experience in national and private development projects and interior design works. This background allows her to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the architectural process from concept to on-site implementation.
Her professional journey, grounded in cost management, shop drawings, quantity surveying, and team coordination, has shaped a refined perspective that balances design quality with engineering practicality. Through her business-oriented mindset, Alaa delivers architectural solutions that align with market demands, support sustainable growth, and respond effectively to the Saudi market.
Moataz Diab
Architectural Engineer and Conceptual Designer, as well as a Teaching Assistant at Suez Canal University, where his academic role strengthens his critical thinking and design-driven approach to architecture. His work is rooted in architectural theory, concept development, and the creation of meaningful spatial ideas.
He brings broad international experience, having worked across the United States, the Gulf region, and several African countries, contributing to diverse architectural projects and early-stage design developments. This exposure has shaped a culturally aware perspective, allowing him to design concepts that respond sensitively to place, people, and context.
Balancing creativity with architectural logic, Moataz focuses on transforming ideas into clear architectural visions. His approach goes beyond form and aesthetics, aiming to create concepts with strong identity, purpose, and long-term impact, bridging academia and professional practice with confidence and clarity.
Abdulla Mostafa
Architectural Visualization Lead, deeply passionate about transforming architectural ideas into vivid, lifelike visual experiences. His work goes beyond creating images; it focuses on capturing atmosphere, materiality, and emotion, aiming to bring architecture as close to reality as possible before it is built.
With extensive experience in architectural visualization and rendering, Abdulla possesses a strong visual sensibility and technical mastery that allow him to achieve high levels of realism. His understanding of light, texture, scale, and composition enables him to translate design intent into compelling visuals that clearly communicate architectural concepts and narratives.
As a team leader, Abdulla guides and inspires his visualization team with clarity and precision, setting high standards for quality and consistency. His leadership is driven by his deep dedication to the craft, ensuring that each visual output reflects both technical excellence and a refined architectural vision.