Portfolio
ARCH 473/3522 - DIGITAL DESIGN STUDIO AND WORKSHOP Nouran Shahin Spring 2020
The American University in Cairo (AUC) School of Sciences and Engineering - Department of Architecture ARCH 473/3522 - Digital Design Studio and Workshop (Spring 2020) 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: Nouran Shahin Student ID: 900171183
Š The American University in Cairo (AUC), May 2020
Nouran Shahin Architecture Student
In order to build up a philosophy around parametric dependencies and relationships, we used digital tools that allowed us to create and express our designs. With these tools, we developed expertise to engage creatively in design. I will remain unsatisfied and keep challenging any form of design in the future, because I simply believe design can change the world.
My name is Nouran and going into this course, I find myself feeling the same sense of that the digital realm we had discussed earlier is becoming our new reality. Growing up in the UAE was a fascinating learning experience in witnessing such a bloom in parametric architecture, in which it inspired me to dive into the digital dimension of the course. ke to have a deeper comprehension of the design objectives and I always look for new solutions. This design studio comes across on parametric design and digital fabrication, where we engage with various technologies and materials as the foundation of our practice. It ultimately reframes the question and proposes new answers and methods of design thinking. The work inside this portfolio is that of studio that explored design by basing it on parameters.
Course Outline Digital fabrication in particular is gradually gaining prominence as a fundamental shift in design development and construction, where “informed manufacturing potentials becomes a principal strategy in realizing innovative contemporary architectural design intentions”. As the Department of Architecture at AUC 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 an extension for the department, focusing on the design of an innovative shape-shifting façade using techniques of parametric design and digital fabrication.
The project incorporates the following within the required modes of inquiry: - An inquiry into tectonics and formations inspired by materiality, living organisms or natural phenomena and their detailed processes of formation or construction, and their different affordances regarding the desired project functionality. - The adaptation and translation of formations inspired by natural phenomena or material behavior 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 depositing, forming, casting, fabric forming, etc. ©All rights reserved, American University in Cairo (AUC) 2020
Table of Contents
01
Learning From Nature: Looking for Inspirations
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The Blank Facade Canvas 3D Experimetation and Digital Modeling
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The Parametric Facelift Parametric Modeling
Diving Bell Spider LEARNING FROM NATURE : The only spider species known that can live almost entirely underwater.
01 PROJECT I: Homeless Shelter
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Storyboard
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01 Minya Homeless Shelter
3 The shedding of the exoskeleton mechanism was derived from the growth aspect of the spider’s detatchment of the skin since it needs a bigger shell.
The ‘detatchment’ concept helped me as a guide to design the shelter. The spider reaches a point where it has to molt, taking off the old exoskeleton, so it can get bigger the spider emerges slowly, first its body from the top its old “skin”, then the legs, clustered together, are slowly eased out of the sleeves of its old garment, and the adaptations it undergoes to enable its survival in its aquatic environment. On a micro level, I decided to trace out the fiber patterns of the skin layers where it grows another layer after once it sheds in the exoskeleton. The motion of how does it shift from form to form and how does it expand in size and volume, inspired me to establish an algorithm to produce a digital model.
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2 Started off by a conceptual model that shows a literal representation of detatchment using an polygon shell that is expanding.
The second attempt was more of an an abstraction of a twisted type of detatchment that replicates the movement of the skin leaving the body vertically without accounting for the area.
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3 Here, I decided to combine the stages of deteachment, where the spider undergoes pressure and enclosure till it reaches the final stage of maturity/ freedom.
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By combining all of these stages, a smooth and clear transition defines the movement of the skin cell on a micro level as it detaches.
Multiple modelling iterations were derived from the abstracted structure
01 Minya Homeless Shelter
From Enclosure to Exposure The wavy motion of the spider as it is trying to get pulled out of the exoskeloton
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The abstracted steps for manipulating the chosen surfaces and sections to develop the form: Semi-closed Solid/enclosed
loose/exposed
The morphology I developed of skin surfaces and some fibers emerging, was derived from imagining that the skin layers were peeling gradually and transitioning sporadically and cohesively at the same time. I started creating lines with across section in multiple ways. An issue I kept having in my modelling attempts was that I would make fragmented models made out of several parts that would then appear to be patchy (see iteration 3) which made the form much less harmonious. It was after iteration 3 that I decided to develop my model , and take it further to form the curve as one surface without patching.
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Site Analysis Location: MINYA, EGYPT The Nile River 452,000 acres of agricultural lands, 6.5 percent of Egypt’s agricultural lands. Archaeological Sites Tuna el-Gebel (Greek) Tel Al-Amarna (Ancient Egyptian)
Ministry of Social Solidarity 80% of Egypt’s homeless children are primarily 10 specific governorates, 1 of which is Minya
SUN AND SHADING Summer months: extensive shading is needed Winter months: radiation is needed
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WIND Comes mainly from the NNW Highest speed: NNE Speed of wind isn’t problematic most of the year around 01 Minya Homeless Shelter
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Exterior shot showing main central structure and one surrounding enclosure iterations in context, El Minya, Egypt ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2020
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01 Minya Homeless Shelter
Main entrance
W.C
Kitchen
Living Area
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Bedrooms
The form was developed by lofting and pulling through the cross sections, simplifying the resulting form, then pullying the form to layer around the central twist forming the major central structure. An enclosure of perforations were then introduced to this central main space for indirect lighting, both through the main facade and through the shaded openings. An exposure is then formed at the end of the linear structure by expanding the surfaces from the main structure to form a smoother texture along with the form.
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Interior sections showing the light perforations and main space Portfolio
Interior shot showing possible interior configuration to use more space 01 byMinya introducing a mezzanine Homeless Shelter
Fabrication File
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3D Slicing Construction technique using plastic 3d printing on Slicer program ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2020
Maram Zeitoun
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01 Minya Homeless Shelter
Fabric Formwork Experimentation This project was more of a tangible excersise to spark the concept of the following project and allowed us to have a sense of the behvior of the materials and the geometry.
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02 ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2020
Zeitoun PROJECT II:The Blank FacadeMaram Canvas
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TRIAL 1
Experimentation 1 Objective: To manipulate the fabric through use of marbles as another method to produce a pattern inspired by the smocking technique.
Parameters to consider: Material: the mix was cohesive, but needed some more plaster since it was fragile. So, the optimum mix for this kind of exercise was 0.5:1:1 Gypsum to Water to Cement
The materials used in this experiment was linen fabric and marbles wraped around the fabric
Tying Driver : The marbles were under a tight pressure of the threads, so it made it difficult to remove
Texture : the texture was smooth and turned out as expected. The linen fabric was difficult to remove from the plaster and ended up cracking. Plus, the form was in 2D.
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01 Minya Homeless Shelter
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Experimentation 1I Objective: To acheive a bumpy effect through the use of balloons that was inspired by the pneumatic technique
Parameters to consider: Material: the mix was cohesive, but needed some more plaster since it was fragile. So, the optimum mix for this kind of exercise was 0.5:1:1 Gypsum to Water to Cement
The materials used in this experiment was a baloon and wires wrapped around it to create a protruded geometry.
Tying Driver : The wires was not tightened enough to secure the geometey
Texture : the texture was smooth and turned out as expected.
The result of the pouring and dry was not as expected, the wires went loose and the surface was very thin which made it crack after popping the balloon
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TRIAL ll Experimentation 1
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In this experiment the balloon is filled with plastevr instead of air and wrapped with wires
Hypotheis: if the balloon is filled with the plaster material, it will create a much smoother texture.
Creases appeared after drying
Process :It was difficult to tie the wires while the plaster did not set yet. - Tightening: The tighter the wires the more the shape/effect it will produce (different geometries) - Texture: Smooth texture with protrusions on the surface - Initial vs. Final Variable: The impression of the geometry was achieved in the final step but not at the bottom in which it remained flat - Proposed Solutions: make a 3d formwork to allow the pattern to form on all sides. Change the type of wire (metal instead of silicon/ plastic)
The balloon formwork did not help in forming the results at the bottom
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01 Minya Homeless Shelter
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Experimentation II Hypothesis: if I change the fabric type it will easily get removed from the plaster after it hardens
- Process :the mix was very cohesive and successful, so as the fabric type. The conflict was mainly with the marble. - Tightening: The tighter the thread the more difficult for the marble to leave the plaster. - Texture: Smooth texture with protrusions on the surface, from the bottom it showed the fabric creases. Initial vs. Final Variable: The impression of the plaster did not turn out as was intended since the marble got stuck to the plaster which then ended up breaking the protrusions. Also the geometry showed better from the inside rather than on the In this experiment cotton fabric is used and supported on wires as formwork
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Parametric Modeling Inspired from the trials in the previous project, a continuation for the parametric device was implemented through grass hopper to control the variables of the skin.
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PROJECT II:The Parametric FaceliftMaram Zeitoun
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Location and Environmental Analysis
Location: Bloom Bank, is located on South Teseen Street. The facade is a south-western facade , which means that it is exposed to the sunlight and heat radiation all day long. .
Solar radiation analysis: the facade is totally exposed showing very high solar heat gain. The amount of daylight should be accounted for as this give an idea of how the interior conditions are not favorable for the users. .
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Wind Rose Analysis: As it could be deduced from the wind rose, the wind speeds are recorded to be within a good range. This is a benefit to our building especially that there are no surrounding buildings blocking the wind coming from the prevailing direction.
01 Minya Homeless Shelter
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The Shed at Hudson Yards
Concept Development Experimental Concept
To create a cushion like units that are formed by the change of internal pressure due to the tightening of the wires/threads.
ETFE panels is a better insulator than glass and, when equipped with patterns for shading. The resulting bubble contains up to three air chambers that together create a shade-effect and provide thermal insulation for the building
Parameter #1
A factor depending on the sun radiation. For full solar exposure of the facade, the spheres would have had smaller diameter hindering Provides variations of daylight, ventilation and visibility options. Size of openings is controlled by the wind direction.
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By creating a Voronoi pattern, changes the diameter for shading and decreases in size for
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Parameter #2
For the panel bracing, convert all the planner surfaces into mesh/ polylines which can then be extruded to replicated the actual form.
Inner and outer extrusions interact with the outside environment and create interesting spaces/patterns of light inside. -facade with the highest solar radiation will be having the bigger length of extrusion The user will get to actually see the facade from the inside while still also having a view of the exterior surroundings.
Parameter #3
Solar sensors that control the facade mechanism. Responsive faรงade based on sun movement throughout the day. polylines which are controlled by the sun attractor can then extruded the panels whenever the sun is near. Portfolio
Make the geometry seamless, smoothen all the curves and surfaces with the glass and ETFE panels.
01 Minya Homeless Shelter
Experimentation and Facade Pillow-like module
Experiment 1 Experimentations - inspired by inflated/ pneumatic technique.
Smooth texture
Defined bumpy geometry
26 Experiment 2
Varying Voids
Volumes Stretchiness and elasticity
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Facade Development
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Grasshopper Script
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Maram Zeitoun
Internal Environment
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Terrace Common Spaces Meeting Rooms Offices Reception
The terrace is cantilievered, so the facade is part of it projected to create more space since it is a public zone The skin is connected to the building using steel mullions which are connected to the beams of the slabs
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This part of the facade is a private one, hence the office spaces which have a part of the facade extruded inwards. 01 Minya Homeless Shelter
Sun Path Output Morning 9-11 AM
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Afternoon 1-3 PM
Two layers of ETFE could modulate the material’s insulative capacity—think of a pillow of air that inflates and deflates depending on the Module 1 Whenever the harsh sun hits the southern part of the facade, some of the ETFE modules closes, and the fibers of the fabric starts to inflate and creates a small void to reflect the sun rays back.
Module 2 Whenever the sun hits the eastern part of the facade, some of the ETFE modules opens up, and the fibers of the fabric starts to deflate and increases the size of the void and filters out the sunlight.
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When the building needs to retain heat, the chambers can be expanded using pneumatic controls, creating air pillows that give the building a soft,Maram supple Zeitoun look.
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Biblography
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http://www.iaacblog.com/programs/para/ https://www.archdaily.com/ https://www.pinterest.com/ https://issuu.com/yuliya_baranovskaya/docs/knitflatables_ybaranovskaya_2310201 http://www.enhsa.net/archidoct/Issues/vol5_iss1/ArchiDoct_vol5_iss1%2002%20Concrete%20 Formingwork%20Scherer.pdf