At tOD, we are architects with a purpose and strategists with a mission. Going beyond traditional architecture, we employ a holistic and biomimetic design approach with NATURE and PEOPLE at its core. It is architecture that is socially and environmentally engaged.
As Lebanon's first Certified B Corporation, we believe in leveraging business as a force for good!
We implement regenerative strategies that improve our environment and serve as catalysts for social change. Our practice strives to create a significant positive impact, ambitiously moving the world from EGO to ECO.
We carefully explore the natural ecosystems of sites in order to devise new, innovative and sustainable living habitats – fueled by the power of biomimicry: emulating nature to devise solutions for human challenges.
we believe that truly sustainable design must not only focus on traditional energy and water conservation, but should be based on a holistic approach that combines the following areas:
Our team works consciously, responsibly and does everything with passion. We don’t follow hierarchy in our organization, and we always collaborate and learn from each other. We strive for innovation and research, and actively look for ways to reduce our footprint on the environment.
Adib Dada is the founder of theOtherDada [tOD] Regenerative Consultancy & Architecture, which mission is to activate projects across architecture, design, and art by creating unconventional links at the frontier of science. Going beyond traditional architecture, his work employs a holistic and biomimetic design approach with nature and people at its core.
As a fervent supporter of Beirut’s contemporary art scene, Adib served on the Supporting Committee of the Beirut Art Center, and sits on the Board of Tandem Works and Saja Foundation. He has been recognized in Apollo Magazine's 40 Under 40 as a Patron of the Arts in the Middle East.
Adib earned a BA in Architecture at the American University of Beirut - Lebanon, a Master’s Degree in the Interactive Telecommunications Program at NYU – USA and completed the Biomimicry graduate certificate from the Biomimicry Institute and Arizona State University.
Based on Biomimicry, theOtherDada’s work promotes a symbiotic relationship between nature and the built environment by exploring new ways of creating generous and regenerative buildings; in essence developing creative solutions that have a positive impact.
Adib was listed as one of GOOD Magazine’s GOOD 100 for his project Beirut RiverLESS, which he initiated to implement positive urban interventions including the planting of urban native forests alongside Beirut River and in the city at large. Adib is a Fellow of the Middle East Leadership Initiative, a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and a Bio-Leadership Fellow. Adib is firmly committed to the UN Decade of Action, engaged on rewilding the city and reclaiming public space by planting Miyawaki native forests in urban landfills.
“We have grown together as a firm around a culture of conversation and an appreciation of dialogue. Everyone should feel comfortable to share their ideas, from owner to intern. Relationships are crucial to everything we do. How we work with each other, with clients, builders and artisans, is what defines us”
Kevin is an environmental architect and activist. He studied at l’Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts in Beirut, then did his Master specialization in Advanced Ecological Buildings & Biocities from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia- IAAC in Barcelona. Moreover, he did a research program on waste from construction and mycelium and worked on many environmental campaigns for NGOs, communities and companies.
Kevin was part of the team that started theOtherDada's expansion from architecture into Urban Afforestation, passionately dedicating his time into what started out as pro-bono side projects and quickly became an integral part of tOD's business model.
With the recent crisis in Libanon, Kevin had to give in to external pressures of leaving the country, but remains associated with theOtherDada for selective projects and continues to provide his perspective on streategic questions.
Hadi has been with theOtherDada for almost a year now. With his in-depth knowledge of permaculture techniques and remarkable observation skills, he quickly mastered the Miyawaki technique and has since taken the lead in designing and implementing our Miyawaki forests, regreened several rooftops and terraces, and turned the plot next to our office into an abundant Urban Farm!
Having lived in deep immersion with nature for years, living in the city is as painful for him as it probably is for other species. With this deep awareness of how unhealthy our cities currently are, he is bringing all his passion and determination to help us create a reality in which "nature" and "city" are no longer mutually exclusive.
Outside of working with tOD, Hadi has co-founded a regenerative farming collective in Kfardebian tackling food sovereignity and helping safeguard the further existance of local species though planting & harvesting heirloom seeds in collaboration with Buzurna Juzurna (BUJU) - an innovative seed library from the Beqaa. The collective also works on a botanical garden as well as different sociio-cultural initiatives to further raise awareness about the impartance of protecting Lebanon's biodiversity and nature-related heritage.
Ramona felt called to join theOtherDada after witnesing Adib's talk on "Planting Liberation" for the Slow Factory. She, too, is a Bio-Leadership fellow with a major interest in regenrative Business Development.
She studied Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) with a focus on the Middle East, particularly Bedouin tribes in Jordan with whom she has lived previously. She has a strong background in system's theory, conducting and leading interdisciplinary research projects as part of her previous work for the Chancen eG and her scholarship by the German Academic Scholarship Foundation.
Ramona holds a Social Innovation Management certificate by the Amani Institute and is currently in-training to become a Women-centered Leader, Coach, and Facilitator. She designs tOD's internal structures / processes and social interventions. Alongside Adib, she steadily develops tOD's business model and impelments consultancy projects for other stakeholders.
She believes that in order to fight climate change, we do need th heal people's disconnect from themselves, each other, and nature itself - rather than just coming up with new technologies.