This article is part of a series focusing on the grads of the »ĘąÚ˛©˛Ęapp Class of 2025. Spring Convocation takes place May 30 and from June 9-19 in Halifax and Truro. Read all our profilesĚýhere in one placeĚýas they are published.
Born in Montreal and raised in Saudi Arabia, Mahmoud Istanbouli first arrived at »ĘąÚ˛©˛Ęapp to complete a degree in environmental engineering. While he appreciated the structure of the field, he felt something essential was missing.
“Engineering felt too rigid,” he says. “I wanted to be more involved in shaping ideas, not just executing them.”
Engineering felt too rigid,” he says. “I wanted to be more involved in shaping ideas, not just executing them.
He returned to Dal to pursue architecture, drawn not only to the creative potential of the discipline but also to the strong community he’d experienced during his earlier studies. “That sense of belonging was what brought me back.”
A standout studio project, The RAVE: Raw Auditory Visual Experience, showcased Mahmoud’s ability to merge design with personal passion. Created in the Hannah Newton Architecture studio, the project proposed a student outreach building across from Pier 21 that would immerse visitors in the sensory world of rave culture.
“I wanted to capture the rawness of human connection — through sound, light, and material — while celebrating the communal energy of that scene.”
Growing through challenges and support
Architecture school brought challenges and breakthroughs.
“The hardest days were when I gave everything to a project and the feedback didn’t land,” he says. “But that’s often where the biggest growth happens.”
Small rituals such as running after a crit (short for critique) or sitting on Citadel Hill to recharge helped him find balance.
Crucial to his journey were mentors who believed in him early on. “That kind of support gave me the push I needed to break through doubt and build confidence.”
Studio culture at Dal is a beautiful thing. It’s like a living, supportive ecosystem
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Equally important was a group of seven classmates known as “Bunkie 3” — a steady source of support through long nights and big wins. “Studio culture at Dal is a beautiful thing. It’s like a living, supportive ecosystem.”
His co-op at Peter Braithwaite Studio gave him a deeper understanding of the profession. “Being in a small firm meant seeing everything behind the scenes. I found my voice and realized I bring something valuable to the table. Sometimes it takes a few downhills to build the momentum to fly.”
Looking ahead with purpose
Now continuing into the Master of Architecture program at Dal, Mahmoud is as engaged as ever. He’s serving as class rep, working as a teachers assistant in the digital lab, and co-curating the summer lecture series.
“We’ve got two local legends lined up — Mac Mackay on sketching and Jane Abbott on the Commons pool,” he says.
He’s also helping bring back Studio East, a long-retired student magazine once printed in-house.
"Ryan, my friend and fellow DASA co-rep, and I are working on reviving it. We think it’s time."
It feels like an ode to myself — a reminder that I can do hard things and still enjoy the journey
To future students, he offers this advice:
“Bring what you love into this profession. Architecture absorbs it — art, science, music — whatever you care about will shape your design voice. And take some drawing classes if you can. They make a big difference.”
As he graduates from the BEDS program, Mahmoud reflects on how far he’s come. “It feels like an ode to myself — a reminder that I can do hard things and still enjoy the journey. And to share that moment with the friends who were there through it all? That means everything.”