The American University in Cairo
ARCH 473/3522 Digital Design Studio and Workshop
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Spring 18
Spring 2018 ARCH 473/3522
Instructors Dr. Sherif M. Abdelmohsen Dr. Passaint Massoud Teaching Assistants
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Arch. Ahmed Hassab Arch. Ahmed Khaled Arch. Aly Magdy
The American University in Cairo
ARCH 473/3522 Digital Design Studio and Workshop
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Spring 18
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Spring 2018
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Spring 2018
Course Description
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Project Brief
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The Heart
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The Snake
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Bismuth Crystallization
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The Jellyfish
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Silkwork Adaptation
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Coral Reefs
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Table of Contents
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Course Description
In depth application of advanced CAD concepts. Real time computer graphics. Computer applications for performance animation, virtual reality and interactivity. Modeling, texture mapping, environments, navigation, lighting, animation and sound. Generative design and Avatars. Digital tools and methods of design with manual tools within the design process. Computational design methodologies, visualization, digital fabrication, cost-estimation, scheduling and facility management. Parametric design and Building Information Modeling (BIM). Applications through design studio and workshop on digital fabrication.
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In-depth investigations focused on the capabilities of computation in architectural design. The course provides an overview of digital tools and methods of design, involving topics such as computational design methodologies, parametric, generative and algorithmic design, visualization and digital fabrication. Hands-on implementation of computational tools will be exercised during lab sessions by means of modeling, parametric design and layout software. Students, working in groups, will incrementally develop a specific project that demonstrates the use of parametric design in its design development phases, and is physically manifested via digital fabrication.
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Project Brief
Today’s computational capabilities introduce an associative and performancebased process that was not available before. Digital fabrication in particular is gradually gaining prominence as a fundamental shift in design development and construction. Being able to fulfill “informed manufacturing potentials becomes a principal strategy in realizing innovative contemporary architectural design intentions” – Kolarevic and Klinger, Manufacturing Material Effects: Rethinking Design and Making in Architecture, 2008. With state-of-the-art tools and equipment using digital fabrication and additive manufacturing, modeling and 3D printing buildings as large as homes is becoming a reality. In parallel, a search for widely abundant, natural and environmentally friendly materials with unique characteristics has led to interesting inquiries of form generation and prototyping.
• An inquiry into tectonics and formations inspired by living organisms and their detailed processes of construction and their different affordances regarding the desired project functionality. • The adaptation and translation of naturally-inspired formations into a computational logic that informs the form generation and modeling process. • A hands-on experimentation and exploration of fabrication techniques and additive manufacturing processes, including but not limited to casting, forming, depositing, fabric forming, etc.
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As the Department of Architecture at The American University in Cairo continues to grow, so do the needs and aspirations of its students for a more nurturing environment that fosters studio culture, social interaction and efficient use of space. The main objective of this project is to design and fabricate naturallyinspired indoor installations across the first-floor corridor of the department, using a parametric and generative process and digital fabrication techniques, with the primary goal of serving students’ needs for exhibiting and showcasing their work, and making use of the often-underutilized space within the department circulation spaces. Rather than dull stands that act as mere storage space, the project seeks innovative enclosures that cater for display and for a unique character to the department. The project incorporates the following within the required modes of inquiry:
The Design Stages
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Working in groups of 4, students are asked to propose designs for installations in an area of their choice across the department circulation spaces (the area highlighted in grey below), within a volume of 4 – 6 m3, taking into consideration safety issues, escape exit routes, and efficient use of space and navigation across corridors and lobbies.
The Project Site
A) Student groups are asked to select a specific area for their installation, study its conditions and affecting variables, and present storyboards for their projects based on inspirations from nature and living organisms, outlining the main sources of inspiration and their formal and behavioral logic. B) Student groups are asked to work on physically experimenting with additive manufacturing techniques such as fabric forming, depositing, casting, forming, etc.
// Stage 03 Digital Fabrication (Individual and Group) A) Students are asked to individually fabricate their designs (scale 1:10), using laser cutting, or a combination of laser cutting and 3D printing. B) Each student group sharing a specific project location should collectively work on laser cutting and assembling the corresponding context model as a base for showcasing their designed alternatives.
// Stage 02 3D and Parametric Modeling (Individual) A) Based on the identified inspirations, students are asked to individually propose alternatives for their installation designs, using a 3D model in Rhino. B) Students are then asked to identify a parametric logic for their proposed designs, including all rules, relations, constraints and parameters, and develop their proposals into parametric models using Grasshopper.
// Stage 04 Visualization and Process Documentation (Individual and Group) A) Students should work on developing high quality visualization of their models, using the necessary rendering and postproduction techniques. B) Student groups should submit 1 A1 poster each, describing the full process and showing samples of each of the individual work and final models. C) Students should document their work in the form of a class portfolio. This implies taking into consideration careful documentation and presentation of the previous stages in the form of images, videos, models, process diagrams, renders, etc. and curating it into a high-quality e-portfolio that culminates the effort along the semester.
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// Stage 01 Storyboards and Physical Explorations (Group)
Group 03
Approach
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Leila Mohamed Rana Gabr Sara Shehab Tuqa Momtaz
The
Heart
Group Concept
The heart beats X 101,000/day. Its mode of action is through differential pressure. The unidirectional flow of the blood from one chamber to the other is governed by the change in pressure from one chamber to the other, hence, the valves allow for the flow but never the back flow. The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. This system has three main functions: Transport of nutrients, oxygen, and hormones to cells throughout the body and removal of metabolic wastes (carbon dioxide, nitrogenous wastes)
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The Heart
Group Explorations Spring 2018
Site Analysis
The selected site is the junctional atrium to all the entrances. It has light inlet and a green seating bench. It acts as an assembly point.
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The region is of relatively high activity with various users. It is a junction, a buffer zone and an intersection point. It is like a node for multiple branching of entrances/ exit points/access points. It has a provision of both natural illumination as well as natural ventilation. There is a varying noise intensity due to the fluctuating frequency of people within the space. Time of the Day _ Referencing to Assembly Hour Before Assembly 8:30 - 11:30 am Least traffic and mostly faculty members After Assembly 11:30 - 2:00 pm Most traffic. High intensity of engineering students as well as faculty members Later Hours 2:00 - 12:00 am Architecture students and mostly stagnant within the area
Site Selection
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Changing the junctional nature of the space
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Group Explorations
Material Exploration
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Group Explorations
The Heart
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Individual Explorations
The Heart
The Clamp
The Fluid Clamp
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Rana Gabr
Clotting controls bleeding, hence, the process of nodeing within the regular flow builds pressure, however, retains the overflow of the blood when wounded. The heart’s job is to ensure the flow of blood facilitating it and any blockage. This is translated in the design by identifying the clotting regions of the site and anchoring points to allow for their accumulation and keep the flow going. The openings were made using the Voronoi 3D technique.
The Fluid Clamp
Rana Gabr
The Curves and Tesselations
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Concept Generation
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Individual Explorations
The Heart
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The Tendons
Space Polarization
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Tuqa Momtaz
The idea represents the tendons in the heart which are mechanized in response to the pressure within the different compartments. The form is inspired by heart strings. The heartstring shape is used for structural skeleton part of the design. While a fabric material is added on this skeleton to hold the models resembling the way the heart tendons open and closes responding to the blood pressure.
Space Polarization
Tuqa Momtaz
The fabric is transparent in order to keep the openness of the model [negative spaces] while the fabric acts as the positive space which was needed to show the idea of the response and transparency. This approach is being responsive to the flow/pressure of the users passing through the space
Form Generation
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Concept
Spring 2018
Individual Explorations
The Heart
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Digital Model
The function is responsive to the user through the available seatings, it is also responsive to showcasing through the choice of flexible material. In addition, it is responsive through the rigid framing geometry that hold the fabric. When designing the model digitally, an emphasis was put on the geometric ratio between the solid and void. The thickness and density of the fabric on the frame is relatively thicker than that of the space enclosed so that when the fabric is responsive, the emphasis is shown.
Space Polarization
Tuqa Momtaz
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Digital Explorations
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Individual Explorations
The Heart
Spring 2018
Final Design
The Nodal Ignition
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Sarah Shehab
The conventional view of the heart as a pump visualizes it as a driver of the blood flow out to the small capillaries. It is a facilitator rather than the driver of our circulation. It is the conductor of life and keeps the rhythm of the body synchronized in time. The design consists of 3D clusters presenting chunks/portions of the heart emphasizing 3D solids and voids.
The Nodal Ignition
Sarah Shehab
Physical Model
Digital Explorations
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The Concept Sketches
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Individual Explorations
The Heart
Spring 2018
Physical Model
Rhythmic Escalation
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Leila Mohamed
Frank’s exploration of the relationship between form and spirit led him to do deep creative research on the number seven discovering many unknown geometric forms and demonstrating a remarkable correlation to the form of human heart. The design consists of pyramid unit with different angles of same size. It is used for showcasing as well as a seating area instead of the green couch.
Parametric Design
Leila Mohamed
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Rhythmic Escalation
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Individual Explorations
The Heart
Digital Model
Leila Mohamed
Physical Model
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Rhythmic Escalation
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Group 02
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Ahmed Youssef Ethar Galal Farah Al-Sherbiny Youssef Kamel
The
Snake
Group Concept
Rectilinear
Serpentine
Concertina
Side-winding
The chosen inspiration is the snake. The snake moves in a variety of ways depending on its species. There are four main types of locomotion observed in snakes (rectilinear, serpentine, concertina and side-winding). Studying closely the snake features, the most notable were its gripping surfaces locomotion, its flexibility and its surface patterns. In addition, the skin of the snake is textured, porouslike, flexible and cohesive. Snakes shed their skin because their skin doesn’t grow.
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The Snake Movements
Group Explorations Spring 2018
Site Analysis
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The Selected Site
Strengths Strategic Location in the SSE - serves as the connector between different departments of different users Weaknesses Small area for implementation Opportunities Revive a neglected space and function Increase awareness of storage area Cornered (adds up to the complexity of the tesselation) Threats Cornered (raises a new challenge of connectivity)
Material Explorations
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Trial 1: Sugar
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The Used Materials
The use of sugar with a tissue to experiment its molding properties by burning it. It doesn’t take long to solidify, it brittles after it forms and there is no control over form. Trial 2: Candle Wax The use of candle wax in a sea shell shaped mould. It could be carved after it dries, there is no control over how it spreads and it doesn’t take time to solidify. Trial 3: Gun Wax The use of gun wax with a piece of fabric to assess its moulding capabilities. It could be carved after it dries, it is not brittle and you have more control over spreading as you decide where it lands.
The use of gypsum with water with a ratio of 1:3/4. It is flexible, brittle, shrinks upon drying. It could be distorted upon shrinkage and dries too fast. Oil makes it more lubricant and easier to use a mould.
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Trial 4: Gypsum
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Individual Explorations
The Snake
Design Approaches
The Connector
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Ahmed Youssef
The design is inspired by the full cycle of the snakes movement from inside its body to engulf it, hunting its prey and the twisting they perform from within. The design intent is to create an exhibition space inside the given location that would use light and form from its contours to attract people inside the space and acknowledge the potential of the unused space.
The Connector
Ahmed Youssef
Chosen Design Approach
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Form Generation
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Individual Explorations
The Snake
Curves Generation
The Connector
Ahmed Youssef
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Physical Model
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Individual Explorations
The Snake
The Model
Sec Motion
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Ethar Galal
Inspired by the snake motion, the idea of the model is to encapsulate and embrace with a flowy motion playing with shape profile to create a unique experience for the users. The logic behind the parametric model is mainly about sectioning and tesselations. Light and motion studies were performed to ensure the efficiency and functionality of the model on site.
Sec Motion
Ethar Galal
Final Design
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Light and Motion Studies
Individual Explorations
The Snake
Spring 2018
Design Approaches
Voronoi Generations
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Farah Al-Sherbiny
The design is inspired by the serpentine movement where the notions of layering and twisting were utilized to generate the form. After designing the basic members of the structure, they were lofted to form the Voronoi structure by giving each member a certain depth. There is a play of heights in the model to further accentuate the experience.
Voronoi Generations
Farah Al-Sherbiny
Form Generation
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Conceptual Sketch
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Individual Explorations
The Snake
Voronoi Generation
Voronoi Generations
Farah Al-Sherbiny
Final Design
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Physical Model
Individual Explorations
The Snake
Spring 2018
Final Design
Muscles In Tension
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Youssef Ghoneim
The design inspiration is muscles in tension, pulling in crowds to the unused space. The design intent is mainly about creating a node for communication and exchange, redirecting circulation into and around the structure and creating axiality towards lockers. These features were adopted from the study of the snake movement with its different typologies.
Muscles in Tension
Youssef Ghoneim
Fabrication Process
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Visual Translation
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Individual Explorations
The Snake
Space Generation
Muscles in Tension
Youssef Ghoneim
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Physical Model
Approach
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Project Brief
Ahmed Koura Hadeel Koura Reem El Desouky Yara Abdel Ghafar
Bismuth
Crystallization
Group Concept
Bismuth Crystallization
The Crystal Structure of Bismuth is rhombohedral. It starts at the nucleus and grows outwards. The outer edges grow faster, creating a stepped pattern. Without disruptions, the structure would be perfectly symmetrical. Screw dislocations causes a shift (twist) in the lattice structure in the Z direction that causes the crystal to grow in an orthogonal spiral. The growth factor of the spiral is based on the golden ratio. 63
The edges of hopper crystals are fully developed, but the interior spaces are not filled in “Staircase structure� occurs as a result of rapid growth of the edges compared to the core which appears to be hollow due to higher electric attraction on the edges. Different color hues can be seen as a result of different wavelengths of light bouncing off a thin layer of bismuth oxide on the surface of the crystals. Hopper crystals do occur in nature, but can be enhanced (color, size, and shape) using human intervention of heat treatment
Group Explorations Spring 2018
Site Analysis
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The Selected Site
The site is located near department office at the glass window. The main criteria for location selection was finding a place where light is generously available, a nodal point to showcase students’ work for nonarchitecture students. The shape of the space is irregular, with a narrow end. It is a tight solid area with wide curtain wall. It mainly functions as a waiting area. The visibility increases as we move away from the entrance of SSE. Best location to place display units is in the top part of the back wall.
Material Explorations 1
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Trial 1: Gypsum Powder and Water Paste-like consistency. Advantages: Easy to mold and solidifies quickly. Easy to give texture. Disadvantages: Might solidify too quickly and dry out before molding.
Material Experiments
Trial 2: Candle Wax and Sugar The experiment was not successful as the sugar mixture was not flexible enough to be shaped by a mold and it melted the candle mold and settled within it. Advantages: The caramel showed a glossy and smooth texture Disadvantages: flexible.
Not
colorless
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Trial 3: Glucose Syrup on Balloon Mold A mixture of glucose syrup, 2 cups of sugar and a cup of water was heated and poured on a balloon(filled with water). It took 20 minutes to caramelize in heat and solidified in 2-3 minutes. and be
Disadvantages: Quickly solidifies which makes thin areas fragile
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Advantages: Quick to solidify smooth, glossy texture. Can transparent or take color
Individual Explorations
Bismuth Crystallization
Spring 2018
A Space of Interaction
Curvature & Color
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Hadeel Koura
The form was developed to accommodate seatings and shelving within its concavities. It is shaped to attract those approaching the department office and viewers from the window. The curved surface is divided into horizontal and vertical curves into 19 vertical counts and 56 horizontal counts found to be the optimum level to show depth by experimentation.
Curvature and Color
Hadeel Koura
Physical Model
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Digital Experimentation
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Individual Explorations
Bismuth Crystallization
Spring 2018
The Physical Model
Stepping & Random Growth
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Ahmed Koura
The attraction points were placed on the floor to allow for higher areas for seating. Shelvings were placed by creating enough depth on the random wall steppings. The flow resembled on the floor attracts users and directs the circulation within the space. As blue is seen as a tranquil,stressreducing color. It was chosen to lighten up the space .
Stepping and Random Growth
Form Generation
Digital Explorations
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Interplay of Units
Ahmed Koura
Individual Explorations
Bismuth Crystallization
Spring 2018
Digital Model
Subtraction
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Reem El Desouky
The idea is to create units that function as seatings area stepped and units that function as shelves area are either hollowed out using attractor points to determine their locations or stepped by subtraction. Circulation curves drawn and a subtraction method is used to generate the inner circulation voids and the entry points.
The Play with Ceiling
Stepping & Calculated Growth Yara Abdel Ghafar
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The ceiling, visible through the glass window, will be used as display units. All display units are either ceiling or wall mounted due to the limited free space on site. Loft between extruded curves is of a glass nature to allow for light to penetrate freely and abundantly (day and night. Seating units that grow with a rate of 1.2 were utilized in front of the glass wall.
Group 02 Spring 2018 ARCH 473/3522
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Injy Ashour Mirna El Saadany Lina Mohamed Yasmin El Nawawy
The
Jelly Fish
Group Concept
Jellyfish is the chosen inspiration for its different characteristics and important role, not just in the nutritious cycle, but they act as a main source of light in underwater areas. The structure of his nerve system in addition to the light and variation of colours create interesting forms and optical illusions. The fact that jellyfish mass is 90% water and ironically enough is that it lives in water which inspires a concept like recycling. Its motion may be relatively slow but still jellyfish’ shape appears to be always dynamic.
Jellyfish have a stalked (polyp) phase, when they are attached to coastal reefs, and a jellyfish (medusa) phase, when they float among the plankton. The medusa is the reproductive stage; their eggs are fertilised internally and develop into free-swimming planula larvae. After a brief period floating about in surface waters, the larvae settle to the sea floor, attaching themselves at one end. There they develop into polyps and begin to feed and grow. In spring, some of the polyps start to bud off immature jellyfish known as ephyra larvae. These grow into mature jellyfish.
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Life Cycle of Jellyfish
Group Explorations Spring 2018
Site Analysis
The Selected Site
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Pros Visually accessible to students from different departments. It will attract users from all directions. There is potential Play of Light to attract people (Daylight and Artificial Light). It is mainly a dead zone we want to revive Cons
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It might block the circulation. There is an area restriction.
Material Explorations
The modeling inspiration is mainly glass 3d printing. The g3dp project, a molten glass extruder, is the first of its kind to print optically transparent glass. It was created in collaboration between the Mediated Matter Group at the MIT Media Lab, and Wyss Institut. The G3DP uses a dualheated chamber concept to steadily heat the material for even flow. An upper chamber initially heats the glass, and the lower chamber heats and steadily cools the glass at it exits the device, to prevent internal stresses and overly quick cooling which would cause the glass to break or strain.
Epoxy Resin
Epoxies are thermosetting plastics– heat is key to proper curing of the resin and hardener mix. Epoxy resin is combined with a hardener to form a third, solid plastic. The speed of that reaction depends on heat, humidity, size of the mix. The material was chosen due to the high degree of transparency, thus the experimentation addressed the refraction of both sunlight and artificial light through the material and the resulting forms created. One of the aspects that were experimented with is texture, mainly generated by wrinkles in the plastic bag used as a mold. And the contrast between the smooth and rough parts.
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Glass 3d Printing
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Group Explorations
The Jellyfish
Glue Gun Explorations
Calque Paper
Some molds were formed using calque paper which resulted in crystal like forms, however, the transparent characteristics of the material were diminished that the shadow was a solid form. All the experimentation using was nearly failed due to the fragile nature of the material.
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The first method of experimenting was through forming shapes on a smooth surface using the glue gun. The glue was removed after drying and further experimentations were made by creating shapes using the glue and reheating some parts to melt and stick together. Glue gun Shots were taken in natural light and artificial light to test the forms shaped and the shade and shadow. The results satisfied the level of experience that was hoped for where the shadow acted as a continuation of the physical model itself. The level of transparency is adequate, however, very dull compared to epoxy.
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Jellyfish miniature complicated flow and enhanced
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are a of nature’s structure, colours by light
Individual Explorations
The Jellyfish
Spring 2018
Final Design
The Translucency
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Yasmin El Nawawy
The design is inspired by the translucency and the texture of jellyfish. The final model created was by initially creating a freeform mass, then proceeding with the same concept of layering and moving. This time the form as designed as not to block the cross circulation of the space, where it is open ad the four sides of the corridor. The color and material were both manipulated to create the desired environment within the space.
The Transluency
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Ahmed Youssef
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Initial Digital Experimentation
The first model was an attempt to recreate the smooth, flowy texture of the body of the jellyfish, and experiment with layering. The resulting form was created through subtracting from a solid cube intended to be made using epoxy. The second model exploited the concept of layering as an attempt to experiment with the flowy nature of the jellyfish. The model was created by first creating a solid cube, then reconstructing the surfaces of the cube to the flowy form intended. The mass was then divided into horizontal and vertical layers using planes. Then the different layers were moved to create the desired form.
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The concept of layers was further exploited, however, only in the horizontal direction. The initial mass was designed to be more 3 dimensional as an attempt to created an enclosure for the users rather than just a wall as the previous experiment.
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Individual Explorations
The Jellyfish
Final Digital Experimentation
The Nerve
A Propulsive Movement Mirna El Saadany
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The model is inspired by the movement of the jelly fish and the propulsive movement that directs it. Similarly, the design aims at directing people towards the space. Visualizing and mapping the path of people, and rethinking the propulsive movement abstraction, its features are mimicked in the space. As people gets attracted to the space, they are led to two exhibition zones which are connected in the middle with a nerve-like pattern allowing for shade.
Spring 2018
Individual Explorations
The Jellyfish
Crystalized Forms
Crystalized Forms
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Injy Ashour
The model started with a curved surfaces which represents the oral arms of a jellyfish. The second step taken into producing the model is creating various masses with different heights showing the movement of the arms in an abstract way. Grasshopper was used to create contouring layers of the surface, then, connected the layers with pipes so it would be stable.
Connections between Corners
The Anatomy Lina Mohamed
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The model is focused on the very vital part of the jellyfish anatomy which lets it move, eat and protect itself by stinging. The nerves’ end is the part that has most of the flow and the movement and sometimes it emits light underwater. The model is created by creating flowy tubes between the four corners of the cross area of the corridor that acted like a replica for these strings found in the jellyfish.
Group 04
Approach
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Martina Mina Nardeen Sawiris Sandy Bolos Sara Seyam
Silk-worm
Adaptation
Group Concept
The silk begins in the salivary glands of a silkworm made of a strong protein called fibroin and a sticky protein called sericin. Liquid secretions from the two large glands in the insect emerge from the spinneret, a single exit tube in the head. The diameter of the spinneret determines the thickness of the silk thread.
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Silkworm Characteristics
Group Explorations Spring 2018
Material Exploration
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Gypsum Experimentations
Experimenting with the gyspum paste to test its strength and drying time. Different molds were used such as bottles, metal meshes, and plastic bags to observe the different textures that can be produced. Different gypsum water ratios were experimented with to reach a consistency that can be used in these experiments. Gypsum was mixed with spray paint to see how they react together, concentrated patches of color were created. Gypsum mix was watery which prolonged the drying time.
A trial of experimenting with spray foam in a random form, without a mold in order to see how it shapes and forms. One of its noticable facts is its light weight form with the light penetrative layer than creates an interesting form with an extremely interesting texture that might serve the concept if it was not difficult to manipulate and work with because of its unpredectivity. Investigating the effect of changing the baking powder amount on the porosity of the dough and the air bubbles in it. Air bubbles increase by adding more baking powder, creating an interesting porous form.
Starch Mix, Baking Soda and Glue Experimentations
Trying to obtain a mix that would be easy to be poured in a mold. The intention was to have a flexible paste that can take the form and dry after a short time, however, the paste got burned in the over giving a dry, cracky texture that can’t be manipulated. The shift to glue gun was because of its flexibility and the thread-like layers it creates. The objective was to experiment different forms creating interesting textures, using a cup as a mold to glue on. A pin was used to pull the wax strings, before it dries, and play with it. Thickening the strings on the outside and to create the hard exterior as the cocoon.
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Spray Foam Experimentations
Spring 2018
Individual Explorations
Silkworm Adaptation
Digital Model
Embracement
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Nardeen Sawiris
The idea is to create an enclosure for users to interact with the work being displayed and have the opportunity to work without external distractions. The form is inspired by the overall form and function of the cocoon + the layering/ non woven structure of the threads. The structure includes seating element, double layer of skin providing display surfaces and shelving interweaving into the main.
Interweaved Space
Interweaving Sara Seyam
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The design applies the voronoi concept to the skin of the structure created to provide possible further experimentation with using the concept in 3D. It is formed based on the interweaving of functions and interaction between users inspired by the threads formulating the cocoon - adapt the lattice structure through using voronoi.
Individual Explorations
Silkworm Adaptation
Spring 2018
Porous Interactive Space
Porosity
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Martina Mina
Inspired by the adaptability of the cocoon and the weaving of the silkworm, the structure has interplay with light according to function, using the porosity and density of the units; ranging from open to heavilywoven to completely closed. There are also open spaces for the group work, while the highly-porous spaces for individual to create a safe, non-distracting environment.
Multi-functionality of the Design
Motion Sandy Bolos
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The design is inspired by double layered silkworm cocoon. The idea of layering using units where a main unit consists of multiples of secondary units following an order. It adopts the organic movement of the worm in the circulation of the users. Different functions are offered within the installation with a curvy edge at the entrance as a welcoming area for the installation.
Group 02
Approach
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Project Brief
Arwa El Rayes Laila El Mekawy Nour El Morshedy Randa Bahaa Verna Yousef
The
Coral Reefs
Group Concept
Coral Reefs Lifecycle
Coral reefs begin to form when freeswimming larvae attach to submerged rocks. As the corals expand, they form three major characteristic structures —fringing, barrier or atoll.
As Polyps protect the softer, more delicate organisms that are thephylum by the exoskeleton, our exhibition can be tailored to provide protection while having a softer more nurturing side. The concave/convex shape of coral reefs creates the sense of exposures and enclosures which we want to have in our model. Dynamic form, hierarchy of the form. Smoothness, vibrant colors and transparency in some types. 97
Coral reefs are very small and simple invertebrates that belong to the phylum Cnidaria. Multiple individuals of this family make up polyps. Coral reefs are constructed of calcium carbonate secreted by limestone objects known widely as corals. Polyps excrete a hard exoskeleton to protect their bodies against harsh conditions.
Group Explorations Spring 2018
Site Analysis
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The Selected Site
The octagonal form gives circular feel that breaks it surrounding corners making it more dynamic and fluid which helps for a more realistic coral reef approach. It has perfect lighting and ventilation. The circulation is high, intersection of multiple paths (high accessibility and exposure). It is used by architecture and non architecture students. The site leads to the architecture, computer labs and the mathematics department, as well as the core. It is covered with a ceiling yet it has a lot of openings that give the illusion that is is indoors, not outdoors
Material Explorations
Balloon and Thread
Balloons: The aim was to create a dynamic flexible form through using 4 balloons and threads. It allows light and air to pass in a dynamic shape and a variety of outcome. but with low strength. When using the misxture of water and flour that provided us a stronger outcome that dries faster. However, it was hard to balance.
Foam and Spray: The aim was to this experiment as to experiment with the foam and spray in order to know the behavior of the foam and the variation of the shapes that can be created.
Egg Holder and
99
Egg Holder: The objective of this experiment was to test the water with the egg holder and how can we shape it in the 3 axis. Also, the dynamism we can actually reach.
Individual Explorations
Coral Reefs
Spring 2018
Physical Model
Branching
100
ARCH 473/3522
Randa Bahaa
The concept is basically creating a form that generates from the ground and branches till it reaches the ceiling (in order to be ceiling mounted) and that’s to have the branching essence, inspired from the coral reef. The enclosure and protection aspects within the model were considered. The seating was implemented from a repeatedly curvy form with height variations.
The Dynamic Form
Dynamism Verna Yousef
101
The coral reef inspires the architects by the dynamic form, and progressive structure inspired from the anatomy shown in the parametric layers of the model. The model has two parts, the vertical part and the part connected to the ceiling. The contouring unites is based on the plates coral reefs vertical growth. The contour is changed in the horizontal directions to allow people to sit.
Individual Explorations
Coral Reefs
Spring 2018
Tree-like Branching
A Branching Core
102
ARCH 473/3522
Laila El Mekawy
A model that is inspired by the branching coral reefs. It differs in the size of the branching coral reefs from the biggest to the smallest, creating a revolving like shaped that sticks from the roof and goes down to the ground with a central column that has seating around it. It also aims at providing a sense of enclosure and privacy.
A Branching Core
Laila El Mekawy
Digital Model
103
Physical Model
Individual Explorations
Coral Reefs
Spring 2018
Smooth Interaction
Smooth Interaction
104
ARCH 473/3522
Arwa El Rayes
The soft corals are usually more intimate, since their perforations allow for fish schools to inhabit and thus, their forms work best to present the nurturing aspect adopted in the model. The concept aims at creating a more interactive zone which provides more space for display that are smoothly connected. It portrays protective and nurturing side of coral reefs in a clear and harmonious way.
Plates Responsive to the Light
Towards the Light Nour El Morshedy
105
The model is inspired by the coral reefs plates. The plates designed are porous and grow towards the light, a behavioral level of biomimicry. They increase with light exposure. The holes are random-like in nature. A strong base is designed to support the floating plates and provide a stronge structural base to the ground.
106 ARCH 473/3522
Spring 2018
Book Design
Hadwa Youssef
Course Instructors
Dr Sherif M. Abdelmohsen Dr. Passaint Massoud
Teaching Assistants
Arch. Aly Magdy Arch. Ahmed Hassab Arch. Ahmed Khaled
Students
Ahmed Koura Ahmed Youssef Arwa El Rayes Ethar Galal Farah Al-Sherbiny Hadeel Koura Injy Ashour Laila El Mekawy Leila Mohamed Lina Mohamed Martina Mina Mirna El Saadany Nardeen Sawiris Nour El Morshedy Rana Gabr Randa Bahaa Reem El Desouky Sandy Bolos Sara Seyam Sara Shehab Tuqa Momtaz Verna Yousef Yara Abdel Ghafar Yasmin El Nawawy Youssef Kamel
107
Credits
108 ARCH 473/3522
Spring 2018