BOWSR is an architecture and research practice based
in Brussels and Beirut.
Through research and speculation, the studio adopts a circumstantial and analytical approach that aims to identify opportunities within established boundaries, discover lightness within permanence, and navigate ambiguity with precision.

Before founding BOWSR, Saleh practiced with Bruther, a french studio known for its exploration of lightness, temporality, and flexibility in architecture. Under the guidance of Stéphanie Bru and Alexandre Theriot, he gained experience across various architectural typologies, working on projects ranging from large-scale housing developments to ephemeral light structures.

Saleh earned his graduate degree at the Harvard Garduate School of Design and his bachelor’s at the Southern California Institute of Architecture. During his studies, he received the Blythe & Thom Mayne Prize for his undergraduate thesis and was awarded the Alpha Rho Chi Medal. His work has been exhibited at ARTERA, the Harvard Art Festival, A+D Museum, and various SCI-Arc annual spring shows.

Saleh earned his graduate degree at the Harvard Garduate School of Design and his bachelor’s at the Southern California Institute of Architecture. During his studies, he received the Blythe & Thom Mayne Prize for his undergraduate thesis and was awarded the Alpha Rho Chi Medal. His work has been exhibited at ARTERA, the Harvard Art Festival, A+D Museum, and various SCI-Arc annual spring shows.

Karim Saleh
Cofounder

French-Lebanese architect born in Beirut, and based in Paris.

Before founding BOWSR, Saleh practiced with Bruther, a french studio known for its exploration of lightness, temporality, and flexibility in architecture. Under the guidance of Stéphanie Bru and Alexandre Theriot, he gained experience across various architectural typologies, working on projects ranging from large-scale housing developments to ephemeral light structures.

Prior to moving to Paris, Saleh practiced in Los Angeles with Morphosis Architects, under Pritzker Prize laureate Thom Mayne. In this role, he contributed as a project designer on significant institutional and commercial projects, including the Yangtze River International Conference Center in China and several large master plans in the Middle East.

Saleh earned his graduate degree at the Harvard Garduate School of Design and his bachelor’s at the Southern California Institute of Architecture. During his studies, he received the Blythe & Thom Mayne Prize for his undergraduate thesis and was awarded the Alpha Rho Chi Medal. His work has been exhibited at ARTERA, the Harvard Art Festival, A+D Museum, and various SCI-Arc annual spring shows.

Alexis Rosenthal
Cofounder

French-Belgian architect currently working freelance on the transformation of a heritage-listed house in Brussels.

Before returning to Belgium, Alexis Rosenthal trained with Farshid Moussavi Architecture and worked for three years as part of the design team for the Ismaili Center Houston. Commissioned by His Highness the Aga Khan and currently under construction in Houston, Texas, the center will open its doors in 2025. Alexis Rosenthal also collaborated on the research and design of Architecture and Micropolitics, Moussavi's latest book published by Park Books and designed by OK-RM.

Previously, he worked with EC3 (Edwin Chan) in Los Angeles and Wilkinson Eyre in London. He holds a Professional B. Arch with distinction from SCI-Arc, where he studied with Frank Gehry and was awarded the Henry Adams Gold Medal by the A.I.A. for the continued excellence of his work, which has been exhibited several times at SCI-Arc's Spring Show