Alkarim's vision is to enable the development of middle housing and gentle density at-scale in established neighborhoods across Canada.
His focus is on promoting diverse housing options for people of all ages, stages and wages, while accentuating walkability and access to local businesses and existing infrastructure. Hailing from Calgary, Alkarim's unwavering dedication to enriching urban life and fostering community connections is evident in his work.
As the co-founder of RNDSQR for almost a decade, Alkarim demonstrated his vision through numerous projects, including hundreds of middle housing developments and mid-rise buildings with heritage restorations, comprising over 200+ units in Winnipeg. Their projects have gained national and international recognition for architecture and urban design. Additionally, he proudly serves as a board member of the Calgary Housing Corporation, the city's largest housing affordability provider. Alkarim is now transitioning to the next phase of his career with mddl, leveraging his extensive experience as a thought leader and developer delivering middle housing for over a decade.
In his new role as co-founder and CEO of mddl, Alkarim is leading efforts to educate, empower, advocate for, and mobilize an ecosystem across Canada to support the development of middle housing in a simplified, transparent, and sustainable manner. This initiative involves collaboration with citizen developers, municipalities nationwide, and industry experts to implement innovative programs that enhance capacity at all levels.
When not immersed in his professional endeavours, Alkarim finds joy in spending time with his family, playing golf, and being a partner in NHBR Coffee and Business & Pleasure. These community spaces not only provide him with relaxation but also enable him to stay connected and in touch with the culture of everyday people.
awards
BILD – Best Multi-Family Community Concept – CY33, 2019
Canadian Architecture - Award of Excellence - IW9, 2019
MUDA - Housing Innovation Mention - 2019
BILD – Multi-Family Builder of the Year Small Volume, 2018
BILD – Best New Design (Established Area, 1300 SF and Up) – Peaks and Plains, 2018
BILD – Best New Design (Established Area, 700 to 899 SF) – GROW Unit 303, 2018
BILD – Best Townhome Style (Established Area, Up to $579,999) – MP05, 2018
AZ Award of Merit – GROW, 2018
Nominated for Small Business Week Calgary, 2018
BILD – Best New Design (Up to 599 SF) – GROW, 2017
Architizer A+ Awards – GROW, 2017
Canadian Architect Award of Merit – GROW, 2017
American Architecture Price – GROW, 2017
Mayor’s Urban Design Award – Housing Innovation – GROW, 2017
Mayor’s Urban Design Award – Conceptual/ Theoretical Urban Design Projects (Honorable Mention) – CY33, 2017
BILD – Best New Multi-Family Design (Over 1200 SF) – MP05, 2016
talks
D.Talks Let’s Talk About Parking
City of Calgary Community Planning - P4P Industry Panel Discussion
BuildEx Alberta - Navigating Change in Established Communities
UC Berkeley - Building Intentionally and Maximizing Collisions
UofC - Urban Strategies Guest Lecture
UofC - Westman Real School of Real Estate
CaFé WEST - RNDSQR LIFE Pechakucha