Student Portfolio
ARCH 473/3522 - DIGITAL DESIGN STUDIO AND WORKSHOP Nada Abdel-Hakim Spring 2019
The American University in Cairo (AUC) School of Sciences and Engineering - Department of Architecture ARCH 473/3522 - Digital Design Studio and Workshop (Spring 2019) Student portfolio documenting samples of work submitted along the course, including research, experimentation, 3D modeling, digital fabrication, parametric design and modeling, physical model realisation and analysis. Student name: Nada Abdel-Hakim Student ID: 900153477
Š The American University in Cairo (AUC), May 2019
Nada Abdelhakim Architecture Student
This course has opened a new perspective for me about architecture. It taught me to question the supposedly known, and try to reach to the impossible. I have developed a lot of appreciation to parametric design and biomimicry design as I know understand the process that the designer goes through and why our goal should be to go back to nature. I hope you would enjoy my project and the journey that I have went through to come up with the final design. I also hope that by the end of this portfolio, you will be amazed by the numerous wonders of spider webs just like I did. I am a 21-year old undergraduate architecture student who believes in the power of architecture not only as a science that shapes our buildings but also as an art that shapes our daily life. Studying architecture made me pay attention to all the details that we experience throughout our daily life but take it for granted. One of these details are spider webs. Although they might seem fragile and mortal, they form a whole new world full of wonders on another dimensions. This project is an appreciation for another wonder of the nature, the spider webs. My project was more of an experiment rather than preplanned design as by each day of my research I would discover more about spider webs.
‘’One of the great beauties of architecture is that each time, it is like life starting all over again.’’ -Renzo Piano
This stage was about exploring the wonders of spider webs and discovering
01 Learning from Nature: Spider Webs
2 Silk Production
Back in the days when spiders moved from the water to the land, they started making silk to protect their bodies and their eggs. Spiders produce silk from their spinneret glands located at the tip of their abdomen. Each gland produces a thread for a special purpose – for example a trailed safety line, sticky silk for trapping prey or fine silk for wrapping it. Constructing the web is an energetically costly process because of the large amount of protein required, in the form of silk. After sometime the silk will lose its stickiness and thus become inefficient at capturing prey. It’s common that spiders eat their own web daily to regain some of the energy used in spinning. The silk proteins are thus recycled. The tensile strength of spider silk is greater than the same weight of steel and has much greater elasticity. Strength: A dragline silk tensile strength is comparable to that of high-grade alloy steel (450−2000 MPa) Density: Consisting of mainly protein, silks are about a sixth of the density of steel (1.3 g/cm3) Extensibility: Silks are also extremely ductile, with some able to stretch up to five times their relaxed length without breaking Toughness: The combination of strength and ductility gives dragline silks a very high toughness
Portfolio
Learning From Nature: Spider Webs
3 Types of Spider Webs
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
4 Cobweb- Tangled Web
3 Dimensional space webs, also known as tangled webs for their messy shape Intentionally shapeless in design and anchored to a corner to surprise prey Design: secured by an upper framework with strands of high-tension catching threads with sticky droplets on their ends The crawling prey breaks it & is drawn up & entangled as the the thread contracts
Portfolio
Learning From Nature: Spider Webs
5 Structure Components
Dragline(DL): the base of the spider web which is the first line made by the spider from the anchor point to the base. Supporting structure, a silken line(SST): threads that construct the web and are connections between draglines Radiating threads(RT): SSt extending from a peripheral point to the substrate. Retreat(R): the hideaway. Gumfooted lines(GF): threads with viscid basal portions that fix the webb to the base/ ground. Viscid silk lines(VSI): the sticky threads that helps catching the prey
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
6 Form Making
Supporting structure: the spider attached its DL to an upper peripheral point of the box, dropped down or moved away to the central part of the box on substrate (SB) and attached DL to SB. Then DL was reinforced by doubling During later phases the spider used existing supporting structure (SSt) as scaffolding to expand the web. Its movements were variable but still followed the same behaviour. The structure consisted of threads extending from a central point of the box to surroundings. Gumfooted: Threads: the spider attached DL to the supporting thread, then dropped down to SB, moved one body length along SB, attached DL to SB, and then turned around and moved up doubling DL. After attaching GF to the structural thread, the spider continued moving along SSt to build the next GF. the spider attached DL to the supporting thread, then dropped down to SB, moved one body length along SB, attached DL to SB, and then turned around and moved up doubling DL. After attaching GF to the structural thread, the spider continued moving along SSt to build the next GF. Additional threads such as R or VSI do not have a specific pattern
Portfolio
Learning From Nature: Spider Webs
7 Different Configurations of Cobweb
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
8 Cobweb Structure
Expansion: Vertical structure Main support: 2 bases (upper and lower) Elements of support: sst as top support and GF as bottom support. Form analysis: loose or dense woven structure for the trap Dense woven structure for the retreat Loose or non woven structure for the support Position of retreat: centre of the trap structure
Expansion: Vertical structure Main support: 3 bases (upper, lower, and side) Elements of support: sst as top and side support and GF as bottom support. Form analysis: loose woven structure for the trap Dense or medium dense woven structure for the retreat Loose or non woven structure for the support Position of retreat: top/ edge of the structure
Portfolio
Learning From Nature: Spider Webs
9 Cobweb Morphologies
Dense Woven Sac. A, sac with fairly densely woven fibre B, details of individual fibres . C, D, Thwaitesia sp. C, loosely woven sac, the outermost fibres extremely loose. D, details of an extremely spiny fibre , a protection against predators/parasites. The phylogenetic distribution of spiny egg sac fibres is unknown. E, F, Argyrodes sp. E, densely woven sac with smooth fibres and a distinct stalk. F, details of stalk, a synapomorphy of Argyrodinae. G, H, Theridion sp. G, dense egg sac. H, details of fibres.
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
10 Different Configurations of Cobweb
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Learning From Nature: Spider Webs
11 Shadow Mapping of Different Web Morphologies
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
In this stage, the design philosophy was derived and inspired from the different characteristics of the cobweb. the design was further developed into a space program, and rhino +grasshopper modelling
02 Capturing Mobility: Conceptualizing, Modeling and Prototyping
14 “Interplanetary Structure”
Creating a contemplative environment through a consilience of different, contradictory experiences. Interplanetary bodies are media that exist in the outter space floating between planets in a neutral field that is acts as an equilibrium of the planets magnetic fields. Similar to these interplanetary bodies is the spider web that enquires many different contradictory qualities within the same structure to become at the end “interplanetary” The Design was derived from a very simple question which is: What if the Spider web turned into a human-scale structure?
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Capturing Mobility: Conceptualizing, Modeling and Prototyping
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Capturing Mobility: Conceptualizing, Modeling and Prototyping
17 Space Program
Labs: Uniform pattern for the facade to ensure that every student gets the same amount of light The facade is medium in density to control the sun radiation and reduce the heat inside the space
Studio: Uniform pattern for the facade to ensure that every student gets the same amount of light and to avoid the effect of glare.
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
18 Cobweb Structure
Studying Areas: The facade is dense with minimum exposure to the outside to resemble the retreat in the spider web to act as a hideaway for the students
Bridge: Nonuniform pattern to create a more dynamic experience with medium density to create a transition between the dark indoor existind department and the perforated new extension
Lounge: Nonuniform pattern to enrich the experience within the space
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Capturing Mobility: Conceptualizing, Modeling and Prototyping
19 Conceptual Collage
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
20 Tensile Structure
The form was done using grasshopper and Kangaroo plug in to create a tensile structure that cover the new extension.
Portfolio
Capturing Mobility: Conceptualizing, Modeling and Prototyping
21 Grasshopper Script For The Tensile Structure
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
22 Facade Morphologies
Different patterns for the facade were produced using Grasshopper as intended Each has a different density and different thicknesses to create a uniform or non uniform patterns
Portfolio
Capturing Mobility: Conceptualizing, Modeling and Prototyping
23 Grasshopper Script
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
24 Final model
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Capturing Mobility: Conceptualizing, Modeling and Prototyping
25 Final Form 3D Shot
Although the final result was very satisfactory for me. The form still needed slight changes to make it more smooth and avoid tight unused spaces later on. the pattern was done in a 2D tile-form in grasshopper then it was overlaid on the structure via the command Flow. So, the next challenge was to create the pattern on a more of a 3d form using only grasshopper. The fabrication process was the most difficult part and the form and the pattern of the structre had to be compromised due to time limitation and technicality issues. However, the model still delivers the main idea even if it was only half a model!
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
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Capturing Mobility: Conceptualizing, Modeling and Prototyping
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ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
In this stage, the design was taken further to a whole new challenge which is the shape shifting design. the concept behind the movement of the facade pattern was mainly to keep the essence of exposure and perforation that exist in a cobweb
03 Stage 3: Patterns of Mobility: Parametric Modeling
30 Parameter I a consilience of different, contradictory experiences.
The first parameter of the shape shifting experience was to achieve the juxtaposing experience that was intended from stage I. The idea was inspired by the complex various morphologies of the spider web that could exist in the same entity that creates an interesting form. The diagrams shown on the left are made using real morphologies of the spider web. Each one of them has a different density and also varies in its threads’ thicknesses and randomness. This experience was achieved by closing down/ opening up the perforations created in the façade as it will be shown later. The façade pattern was designed using a grasshopper script. The same script could produce different alternatives with the same grid by changing the thickness of the lines and changing the diameter of the fillets between the intersections. The double layer of the pattern creates a variety of threads thicknesses that breaks the monotony of the grid.
Portfolio
“Stage 3: Patterns of Mobility: Parametric Modeling”
31 Faรงade Alternatives The three following pictures demonstrates the ability of creating different patterns generated from the same grid
1 Scenario 1 Maximum density, Variety in threads thicknesses
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
2 Scenario 2 Medium density, Variety in threads thicknesses
3 Scenario 3 Minimum density, All threads with the same thicknesses
Nada Abdelhakim
32 Grasshopper Script for the facade pattern
Slider for Changing The Thread Thicknesses
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“Stage 3: Patterns of Mobility: Parametric Modeling�
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ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
34 Parameter II an interactive façade to the motion of people
The second parameter of the shape shifting experience was to create a façade that responds to the motion of people and keeping the delicate exposure effect of the spider web without compromising the performanse of the building environmentally. The internal layer of the façade would opens up on the eye level of the user whenever there is accumulation of people within the same space to give visual access to the user while closing in other areas to provide shade from the sun This experience was achieved by closing down/ opening up the perforations created in the façade as it will be shown later.
Portfolio
“Stage 3: Patterns of Mobility: Parametric Modeling”
35 First trial although the basic objective was acheived the facade pattern was compromised which made me unsatisfied with the final result.
Grasshopper Script for the Pattern
The faรงade pattern was designed using the grasshopper script above. The objective of creating a shape shifting faรงade was achieved by creating attractors that open up the faรงade pattern whenever it gets closer to the faรงade. The script of the attractors is highlighted in pink. The eye level of the user was represented as an attractor point in the rhino model as demonstrated above
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
36 Grasshopper Script for the facade pattern First Tria
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“Stage 3: Patterns of Mobility: Parametric Modeling�
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ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
38 Second trial The second trial was much more successful. Adifferent technique was used to create the same shape shifting technique without compromising the shape of the facade pattern.
Grasshopper Script for the Pattern
The façade pattern was designed using the grasshopper script above. The objective of creating a shape shifting façade was achieved by creating attractors that open up the façade pattern whenever it gets closer to the façade. The script of the attractors is highlighted in pink. The eye level of the user was represented as an attractor point in the rhino model as demonstrated above
Portfolio
“Stage 3: Patterns of Mobility: Parametric Modeling”
39 Grasshopper Script for the final structure
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
This is the stage that sums up the entire project. It includes producing plans, section, elevations, and 3d architectural visualization
04 Stage 4:Visualization and Process Documentation
42 Ground Floor Plan The ground floor is the most public one floor out of the three. It includes an open exhibition along with a small lounge and outdoor seating areas.
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Stage 4: Visualization and Process and documentation
43 First and Second Floor Plan The hierarchy of spaces starts to build up moving from the
ground floor up to the last one the first floor includes lab, studio, and a small lounge. the second floor includes small study areas
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
44 Section AA the section shows the hierarchy of privacy in different spaces through out the building without closing up the structure plus keeping the visual continuity that is one of the essence of the tangled web
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Stage 4: Visualization and Process and documentation
45 Hierarchy of Privacy
Structural Details
Private
Public
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Tensile structure fixture to the ground or a wall
Tensile structure clamp fixture to the slab
Nada Abdelhakim
46 North Elevation
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Stage 4: Visualization and Process and documentation
47 East Elevation
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
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Stage 4: Visualization and Process and documentation
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ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Nada Abdelhakim
ŠAll rights reserved, American University in Cairo (AUC) May 2019