Student Portfolio
ARCH 473/3522 - DIGITAL DESIGN STUDIO AND WORKSHOP Fatima Hussein 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:Fatima Hussein Student ID: 900152034
Š The American University in Cairo (AUC), May 2019
Fatima Hussein Architecture Student
types of designers to challenge themselves and experiment with more parameters than ever provided using highly sophisticated projects, and I'm proud of the process and my outcome.
To
whomever
is
reading
this,
Welcome to My Storybook. A storybook documenting a new chapter in my architectural studies, parametric design. This chapter was a difficult one, from addressing a design project in a more advanced approach, and visualizing it through a spectrum of 2D and 3D experimentations. Parametric design opens doors to students, architects and all
Something I would tell whoever's reading this is that it's never too late to learn new ways of design, I'm proud I was able to challenge myself in terms of conceptualization, exploring different architectural styles, and graphically articulating my ideas. I hope you enjoy my storybook, and thank you for your time.
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Portfolio
Chapter One
The Phenomena of Polar Stratospheric Clouds
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Understanding the Phenomena I
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Portfolio
Chapter One
9 The primary phenomena which we began with was the phenomena of Polar Stratospheric Clouds. This phe-
nomena is about clouds which are formed at a temperature of less than -85 degree celsius, with a altitude of 15-25 km high. They are formed by a cause of minimal sunlight and the isolation that occurs from Antarctic air mass [polar vortex] from the surrounding atmospheric circulation. We found this phenomena to be intruging, the beauty of nature’s manipulation along with the conditions it occurs under. The main issue which we faced was the conditions in whihc the phenomena occurs under, because the clouds usually form under the temperatures of -78C and lower, they are usually spotted in the Antarctic and the northern hemisphere where mountains can generate lee waves, a very specific condition that makes experiminetation very difficult. Other than the condition, yet the science behind the phenonmena is that ice crystals are stuck to the clouds at a height of over 25,000 meters high; when the sunlight reflects through them, they emit a spectrum of colors, creating rainbow-like clouds; also a very challenging condition to experiment with. The most convenient path in which we attempted to engulf ourselves in is the rainbow like affect that occurs from soap bubbles, and CD reflections and other similar materials, yet experimenting on such materials would have not captured the essense properly as we would have hoped, which concluded us to change the phenomena.
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Portfolio
Chapter One
Phenomena of Sand Dunes Influencing Flexible Architecture
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Understanding the Phenomena [II]
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Experimentation During the stage of expirementation, my main concentration was the migratory patterns of sand dunes; what affects the migration, what types of sand particles, the climate, and environmental factors. I began by experimenting different wind speeds, using a straw and a hair drying and how each outcome appears from various wind directions. I also experimented with various particles, such as coarse sand, smooth sand, wet sand and very light and smooth particles, using flour. With the different variables this enabled me to better understand which factors affect the overall migratory pattern of sand dunes. My variables in these range of experiments were the intensity of the wind pressure, I experimented with a blow drier with low intensity and with blowing out of a straw, and regarded the differences in the distances and the effect on the sand dunes. Another aspect i experimented with was the angle of the wind direction, and how that varies the migration and shaping of the sand dune, and finally I experimented with a different material other than sand, flour. Flour acted differently as its lighter, the affect of low intensity of air from a straw led all the flour to blow away, without accumulating like sand does, and it resulted in a layer of fine flour to not blow away, which is the opposite to sand. The parameters which I deduced from my study of the migration of sand dunes is that the angle of the wind direction alters the migratory process, along with the sand type, and the wind intensity as well differs the distances and the formation of the dune. Portfolio
Chapter One
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Formation of dunes occurs with the migration of the sand particles whihc compile through years forming various sizes and shapes based on context.
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Chapter One
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The phenomena which we then chose was sand dunes, we started by studying the formation of them, their different shapes and the modes of formation. We found that the variability of them offers so much experimentation and variable outcomes for a group of four. The different types of sand dunes were found to be classified on the basis of their shape, number of slip faces, and the wind directions that forms them and results in six major groups: Barchan Sand Dunes, Linear Sand Dunes, Parabolic Sand Dunes, Star Sand Dunes, Transverse Sand Dunes, Reversing Sand Dunes. The variability of the sand particals also plays a role in there shape and formation, from smooth to coarse sand particles creates different shapes of sand dunes. All the different factors enabled us to each have a seperate path of research and implementation to an interesting outcome and field of study. What I personally began researching about was the migratory pattern of sand dunes, how their capactiy to travel for kilometers over months, and remain in their size and shape.
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Site Analysis
Wind Velocity around 14.5 km/hr. The site is primarily chosen as it is exposed to prevailing winds, in the Northern Direction and North Western Direction. The site is not exposed to severe sun, as it is self shaded most of the day and the porosity in the western direction allows strong natural ventilation. The site is an intermediate zone for the SSE building, and the circulation is a vital factor in the decision of the site.
Portfolio
Chapter One
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Sand Dunes Migration Parameters: Derived from Experiments When studying the site, the experiments and the design approach that I was planning on conducitng, the most important factors that coorilated with sand dunes and their migration also affected the program and the approach of the design. Respecting the nature of the sand dunes, and studying the site with retrospect with these parameters in mind, allowed an honest, and contextual approach to the design.
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Concept Translating the flexibility of the sand dunes, in regards to the patterns of migration, the factors affecting the mobility of the phenomena and the translation on architecture. That grid generation establishes the circulation and form generation
1. Analysis of the Wind 2. Graphing of the Grid 3. Establishing of form G Patterns Spreading Study the site, in terms of the wind patterns at different times of the day and study impact.
Portfolio
Schematically record the impact of the winds and their disruption on the site
The form generation directs the movement, ventilation, and circulation around and to the building.
Chapter One
When studying the site, the experiments and the design approach that I was planning on conducitng, the most important factors that coorilated with sand dunes and their migration also affected the program and the approach of the design. Respecting the nature of the sand dunes, and studying the site with retrospect with these parameters in mind, allowed an honest, and contextual approach to the design.
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Portfolio
Chapter One
21 The begininng stages of formulating a shell-like extention, designed and based on the super imposition of both the circulatory path of users on site, and the natural forces (wind,weather, climate).
02 Capturing Mobility ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Fatima Hussein
22 In the beginning stages, I was very interested in respecting the major theme of the study of sand dunes: the flexibility. When studying the migration of the sand dunes, it inspired me to have an open-building approach and allow maximum flexibility between the building and the outside environment. The precedence I found to be most relatable to my concept were the ones found in the pictures on the left, where their openess and porous configuration allowed natural circulation and a blunt openess to the outside surroudnings.
Portfolio
Chapter Two
23 Upon reaching my final outcome, there were various of stages that led up to that point. Before grasshopper was introduced to me, Rhino was the only program I was able to use. It was very difficult in the beginning, in terms of understanding which parameters would be shap-shifting, wether the skin would be breathable, or the openings of the arches; along with what material would be used, glass panels or perforated honey comb. The variability of componenets made the process a very thorough experience of trial and error. The picture on the top left was obviously an error, and what I intended to do was to overlay glass panels and solid panels on a whole facade, which would later allow them to shape shift and variably move depending on exterior circumstances. On the bottom left picture, it was an experimentation of the movement of the skin, how the openings are formulated and understanding how the skin would be translated on a whole building with the same type of flowingness. On the right picture, I began with a plug-in called Kangaroo, where the surface was automatically available and I began experimenting with the arches, the spacing, the heights and the scale of the spaces within the building.
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Portfolio
Chapter Two
25 At this stage, I began experimenting with the skin, the panneled openings, and which parameters which would be mobile in the model.
This was one of the later stages, where the form of the extension was set and the variability lied in the skin, the panels and the mere difference of sized in the oppenings. The model at this stage was at a level of fabrication, where the skin was to have breathable elements, regarding the concept of migratory pattern of the sand dunes. The openings and orientation of the model was created with regards to the on-site movements, which responded directly to the form of the building. An important element was the flexibility of the spaces of the building, integrating an open-building design, which allows flexible spaces, adaptable to time and a very strong relationship with the outside and inside experiences.
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26 Using grasshopper allowed the parameters to be very flexible in terms of variability of openings, mobility and the fabrication of skin. Several plug-ins were used to facilitate the shape shifting of the design, the plug-ins used were Kangaroo for the form manipulation, and Weaverbird for the skin design.
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Chapter Two
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Portfolio
Chapter Two
Using another plug in called Weaverbird allowed the 29 transformation of the skin to be as flexible as possible while maintaining the essence of the migration and capturing the flexibility of the spaces inside.
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3D Fabrication Form Due to the complexity of ins and outs within the model, it resulted in some areas to be more textured, yet the end result was very similar to what I anticipated. In order to be as efficient as possible in the process of the 3D printing, we flipped the model on the program to minimize time and supports, thus the model took around 19 hours in fabrication, rather than 24 hours.
Portfolio
Chapter One
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The begininng stages of formulating a shell-like extention, designed and based on the super imposition of both the circulatory path of users on site, and the natural forces (wind,weather, climate).
03 Stage 3: Patterns of Mobility
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3D Fabrication Form Shape Shifting Skin: Based on Environmental Factors
Chapter Three
35 Based on the given Sunlight Analysis, the program of the building would be designed around the type of activities that require natural sunlight ( design studios, lounges) while the more dimmed areas would be for offices and smaller areas. Ladybug plug-in allowed be to experiment with a r ange of different environmental studies, such as the radiation analysis, wind rose, sunlight analysis; therefore all allowing a thorough and versatile design.
Sunlight Study: Winter Sun
Sunlight Study: Summer Sun
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Fatima Hussein
1 At this point, I was using Kangaroo for the overall shape, Weaver Bird, which is another plug in for the skin design, and then in order to create the environmental analysis, I used Lady Bug, which allowed me to study the radiation, sun-path and wind rose.
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Chapter Three
Grasshopper Code with Analysis
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Fatima Hussein
Shape Shifting Skin: With Detailed Paneled Variability
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My primary study of migration in the natural phenomena of sand dunes inspired me to respond to the shape shifting paneled skin, in terms of the migrations variability, and natural, organic flow.
Front View of Building
Therefore my design, within the shape shifting skin is to respect that organic movement in the shape shifting and each panel is to have a slightly different design mechanism, which would be reflected in the views from within the building.
Side View of Building Portfolio
Chapter Three
Detailed Paneled Iterations39 Zoom in on the panel design, each panel has a unique form in terms of the opening and closing mechanism, which ideally reflects the organic manner of the sand dunes movement
Zoom In on the Grasshopper Code For Iterations
Zoomed In Area on Iterations ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
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Portfolio
Chapter Four
41 At this point, translating all the stages into curated visualizations is the most important stage, where the project finally comes to life.
04 Stage 4:Visualization and Finalization of Project ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
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Plan: Scale 1:200
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Chapter Four
43 When studying the site layout, my main objective was to create an extention that feels light on the site, unique in terms of contextuality and the realtionship of the form with users and surrounding. Being that my initial concept was the study of migrations, it was of great importance to portray utmost honesty in form, flexibility for circulation, porosity and exporsure to surroundings.
Site Layout 1:400
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Section: Scale 1:200
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Chapter Four
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Main Elevation Scale 1:200
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Exterior Renderings The oppeness of the design with the surrounding context was a vital design criteria in my process. Incorporating materials that were transparent, and adding seatings all around for common areas and to be sensitive to the inital site which was free for motion and flexibility.
Interior Renderings The interior plan was based on an open building methadology, where the walls are flexible, not high enough to disturb the building, and the allows visual connectivity while respecting the privacy of the users in their work areas.
Biblography
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Types of dunes, a USGS publication “Types of Dunes”. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012. Mangimeli, John (10 September 2007), Geology of Sand Dunes, U.S.A. National Park Service Radebaugh, Jani; Sharma, Priyanka; Korteniemi, Jarmo; Fitzsimmons, Kathryn E. (2014). “Longitudinal Dunes (or Linear Dunes)”. Encyclopedia of Planetary Landforms. pp. 1–11. doi:10.1007/9781-4614-9213-9_460-2. ISBN 978-1-4614-9213-9. Twidale, C.R. & Campbell, E.M. (2005, revised edition): Australian landforms: understanding a low, flat, arid and old landscape. Rosenberg Publishing. Pp. 241–3. ISBN 1 877058 32 7 Goudie, Ron Cooke; Andrew Warren; Andrew (1996). Desert geomorphology (2. impr. ed.). London: UCL Press. pp. 395–396. ISBN 978-1-85728-017-3. Goudie, Ron Cooke; Andrew Warren; Andrew (1996). Desert geomorphology (2. impr. ed.). London: UCL Press. p. 395. ISBN 978-1-85728-017-3. “USGS Landform Glossary” (PDF). United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 3 October 2013. [permanent dead link] World Meteorological Organization, ed. (2017). “Nacreous PSC, International Cloud Atlas”. World Meteorological Organization, ed. (2017). “Upper atmospheric clouds, International Cloud Atlas”.