Ossaid Aleitan
“I always had this tendency to build from scratch,” said Jor-
danian architect, youth activist and eternal optimist Ossaid
Aleitan. “To imagine something and build it has always been
a great passion, and this led me to study architecture.”
Aleitan obtained his bachelor’s in architecture engineer-
ing from the University of Jordan in 2009 and went on to
complete his master’s in construction project management
at the University of the West of England in Bristol in 2010.
While he worked for two major engineering consultancy
firms after finishing his studies, he began his own office
in 2016.
By now, he’s accumulated a number of titles. First and fore-
most, he’s the CEO and founder of AlKafo for Construction
Management & Design Consultancy, an Amman-based prac-
tice that offers multidisciplinary design including landscape
and interior design, architecture, engineering and renova-
tion services. He’s a central commission member of the Jor-
danian Engineers Association – the youngest architect to
be elected to the association’s council. And while these two
highly demanding positions leave little room for much else,
Aleitan balances two other roles: Middle East coordinator
for Tamayouz Excellence Award and lecturer at the Univer-
sity of Jordan’s Department of Architecture Engineering.
While Aleitan has designed projects in Jordan and else-
where in the region, spanning the residential, urban, indus-
trial and commercial sectors, his work with the Jordanian
Engineering Association enables him to influence propos-
als that aim to improve and develop the field of architecture
within the country.
His work with the association also includes participat-
ing as a member of the training and qualifying committee,
where he works to close the gap between architecture educa-
tion and joining the workforce through training courses for
fresh graduates.
“The public work, such as my role with Tamayouz, teach-
ing at universities, and voluntary work with students and
youth is what revives me and recharges me to keep going,”
Aleitan said. “Being part of Tamayouz is very enriching and
valuable to me personally, as I have the opportunity to help
raise the knowledge of young architects and students. It also
allows me to shed light on the human and social sides of ar-
chitecture, and as a member of the Tamayouz family, we help
remind the architectural society what our duties as archi-
tects toward society and humanity are.”
To Aleitan, Jordan’s architectural heritage, culture and
community is the region’s richest. Its engineers and ar-
chitects, as well as its educational institutes, are a source
of strength for the country. To distinguish himself and his
practice, he sa id, he combines desig n ser v ices w ith constr uc-
tion management.
“I think it’s a common dream for all architects to design
a landmark in their country, and it’s definitely a dream and
hope of mine,” he sa id. “I a lso hope to contr ibute to A mma n’s
strategic projects, and to the city’s urban development.”
Aleitan, who intends to get a PhD in urban planning, lists
different ways of “rethinking Amman’s public spaces”, such
as improving its parks and redeveloping crowded zones, like
those that date back to the 1940s and 60s.
“I have always seen myself in Jordan,” he said. “I am
always eager to travel and learn, but then bring back that ex-
pertise and knowledge that I’ve gained and accommodate it
here in Jordan.”Meet Jordan’s rising star who shares
his views on architecture in his home
country and his vision to rethink
Amman’s public space
Written by Rima Alsammarae
Image courtesy of Ossaid Aleitan12 / INSIGHT: NEW ARCHITECT