Student Portfolio
ARCH 473/3522 - DIGITAL DESIGN STUDIO AND WORKSHOP Ragaa Younes Fall 2020
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: Ragaa Younes Student ID: 90153030
Š The American University in Cairo (AUC), October 2020
Ragaa Younes Architecture Student
This semester by far was one of the most stressful and complicated semester for me as I am struggling with the online learning strategy especially that I am not a communicator person so through zoom meetings and email it is really hard for my to interact and express my thoughts .
Let my introduce myself , I am Ragaa Younes a senior architecture student who loves to create and design new and unfamiliar elements . I am an endless unsatisfied person who always in search of the challenges and adventures thats why I had changed so many universities and countries . After three different universities , two different continents and two different majors , here I am studying the thing that passionate’s me the most and makes me feel overwhelemed “ARCHITECTURE� . Architecture for my is not simply a major or a profession , its a way of thinking. It is a mind opener . A land of opportunities to enhance and add values to what surround us and us as human beings .
As for this course , it is an eyeopener to what digital tools can produce and it introduced my to new tools that will give me more freedom to experiment forms and shapes in my future designs . In addition , it opened doors for my to my personal projects and helped my understand that 3D modeling has no limits and that I am the person in charge of my design and that I should never limit my self to what a program can do.
CONTENTS
TABLE OF
01
THE COCOON: H O M E L E S S S H E L T E R
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C A S T I N G : THE BLANK FACADE CANVAS
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F A C E L I F T : PART II : THE PA R A M E T R I C F A C E L I F T F A C E L I F T
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THE COCOON: H O M E L E S S S H E L T E R
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Project 1
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LOCATION OF THE PROJECT: Alexandria , Egypt Alexandria stands on a fairly narrow strip of land, with Lake Mariut located on the city’s southern side and the Mediterranean Sea on its northern side. The fact that it is a coastal city make it humide . The climate in Alexandria can be described as temperate, with warm and often extremely hot, sunny weather by day, followed by cooler night-times. The seasons in Alexandria can be divided into two main periods, both of which are warm. Between November and April, the winter season is fairly mild and pleasant, while the summer season, from May to October, is noticeably hotter, particularly during the day, but also at night.
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THE
BUTTERFLY
:
THE
Design Driver We choose the butterfly to be our design driver as the butterflies are deep and powerful representations of life. Many cultures associate the butterfly with our souls. For example , then christian religion sees the butterfly as a symbol of resurrection. Around the world, people view the butterfly as representing endurance, change, hope, and life. There is no doubt the butterfly has significant meanings to us human beings . Through heartfelt stories, we have heard butterflies symbolizing the passing of a loved one, or life struggles that people have endured to emerge as a better person. Butterflies have also been a symbol for celebrations, weddings, life, and our journeys.
Growth process of the butterfly
Adult butterflies lay eggs under m i l k w e e d plant leaves.
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The egg hatch , larva eat the milkweed leaves for about 2 weeks as they develop into full grown caterpillars
The caterpillars attach themselves head down to a convenient twig. They shed their outer skin and transform into chrysalis
After 2 weeks , the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis
The butterfly waits for her wings to stiffen and dry to start its life cycle all over again.
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E
EMERGENCY
OF
LIFE
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Concept - The Cocoon The chrysalis phase inspired the design of my shelter , enveloped by the larvae the butterfly is protected and feel comfort and this is what I want to express in my design . The tough shell that envelop the caterpillar provide the butterfly with food and shelter like in it early stages (the egg) and can be consider as a second home. In addition , this phase is named as the changing stage of the butterfly in which happen the transformation from the immature to the mature age . From here comes the concept of the cocoon , one enclosed entity that is self-sufficient that provides protection and can be called home . My aim in this project is to create a shelter in which the people feel wrapped in a comforting and secure in which they can relax and grow .
Keywords REFUGE
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COMPACT
ENVELOP
CAMOUFLAGE
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Architecture Manifestation
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Design Guidelines
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Attempts
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Architectural Analysis
We choose the butterfly to be our design driver as the butterflies are deep and powerful representations of life. Many cultures associate the butterfly with our souls. For example , then christian religion sees the butterfly as a symbol of resurrection. Around the world, people view the
semi-outdoor commercial
Plan Scale 1:100
outdoor lounge
bedrooms
Zonning Portfolio
Section Scale 1:100 Project 1
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Top view
Commercial area elevation ARCH 473/3522 - Fall 2020
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Fabrication
For the fabrication of the model I directly went to 3d printing option . The shape of the building itself is very complexe with a lot a irregulare curvatures that will not be easily done using laser cut . In addition , to the double skin the shade it self is to reproduciable with lasr cutting techniques as it is not a series of plates connected toghether rather one smoot irregular element .To be able to create a 3D model whit such a form and irregular shapes the best techniques was 3D printing Portfolio
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C A S T I N G : THE BLANK FACADE CANVAS
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MATERIAL EXPLORATION :
History Lost wax casting existed from long time ago and is been in used for centuries . Investment casting is the most ancient process of making art casting . It is an efficient techniques to create elements with perfect surface finish , dimensional accuracy and complex shapes . It was not only used for building , it is used in several other fields such as jewelry , art castings , etc.‌
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Project 2 Part A : Material Exploration
Casting Types
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Although casting is one of the oldest known manufacturing techniques, modern advances in casting technology have led to a broad array of specialized casting methods. Hot forming processes, such as die-casting, investment casting, plaster casting, and sand casting, each provide their own unique manufacturing benefits. Comparing both the advantages and disadvantages of the common types of casting processes can help in selecting the method best suited for a given production run.
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TRIAL 1 Portfolio
Project 2 Part A : Material Exploration
Material Used
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In order to create different textures I played with plastic sheets that have different textures to create voids in the mold that will be used later on the faรงade of a building in response to the environment and the functions. I will use a rectangular mold ( I used foam plate ) with serval plastic sheets in it to create solids and voids with different textures and sizes and pour the concrete mix in it before it is too dry and create irregular shapes on the top 1- Plastic Sheets
ROUGHT 2- Foam Plate
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SMOOTH 3- Ceement
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F22orm Making 1- Creating the mold I started by creating irregular forms using the plastic sheets that have different texture by crashing and stamping them.
I pined this form to the perimeter of the rectangular plate so when the module is repeated and rotated it create voids.
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Project 2 Part A : Material Exploration
23 2- Creating the mixture After creating the mold I redid the gypsum mix because by the time that I did the mold the first mix has harden. Ratio : 3/1.5
3- Pouring the Mixture I poured the mixture into the mold and started to play with the mixture on the top to create interesting irregular forms and waited for it to harden and become stiff .
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Reflection The result was as wanted in term of shapes however I can add more void in the center . The irregular shapes created and added to the perimeter created a very interesting irregular module that can be repeated and rotated to serve a facade .
The recesses created in the form are very interesting for the idea of adding this module and can be used to create different opening sizes in respond to the environment and to the function of each space
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Project 2 Part A : Material Exploration
25 The idea of using different plastic sheet texture was very successful and give us the opportunity to create smooth and rough surfaces based on which texture was used. This makes in control of the textures and the variations.
3- Pouring the Mixture
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As for the top of the shape , it was very rough due to the adjustments done by my hand before the concrete harden
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Adjustments In this trial I used the same framework and added wooden sticks to add more openings and void on the shape to allow more penetration of light and wind
The idea of adding wooden sticks to create voids in of the building with an adjustable parameter howev regular circle wooden sticks might be more interes shape. Second , the placement of the wooden stick by adding them we add more voids which creates m Portfolio
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n the shape was good to add more light and wind inside ver it has it cons . First , a more interesting shape than sting giving use more varieties in the opening sizes and ks is very critical and should be chosen wisely because more week points in the forms that ended up cracking. ARCH 473/3522 - Spring Fall 2020
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Conclusion In this experiment several parameters where tested :
1- Texture
of the sheets
:
the texture used to create the voids which was very interesting using two types of plastics sheets . It gave use rough and smooth surfaces that can be used part of the design in respond to the space and the environment.
2- Hand
adjustments
:
creating irregular 3D forms using my hands which also can be very useful in the design process of the faรงade.
3- Repetitive
module
:
the module form that can be reproduced in several sizes and rotated to respond to the need of the users creating an adjustable faรงade.
4- Sticks
diameter and placement
:
adding openings in the shape with wooden sticks to control the penetration of light and wind more , however this parameter needs to be re-thinked to make it structurally stronger and aesthetically more appealing
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TRIAL 2 Portfolio
Project 2 Part A : Material Exploration
Material Used
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1- Plastic Sheets
2-Aluminum Foil
3-Small Straws
4-Rope
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In this experiment I had the same idea of creating a mesh, but I changed the parameters to experiment new elements . 1.A plastic bag was used as a mold instead of the foam plate to make it more flexible and adjustable 2.Foil was used to create rough voids surface instead of the rough plastic sheets 3.Small straws where used to create the voids in the shape 4.A smooth container was used to create the smooth voids surface 5.Ropes where add to create more textures in the shape
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Form Making In this trial , I reversed the process , I started by creating the mix and then forming the mold step by step really quickly . 1- Creating the mix and pouring it
This step had to be done quickly in order to add the other elements before that the mix hardens
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2- Creating the mold
I pressed the mix with a smooth jar at the perimeter to create a smooth void .
I perforated the mix with the straws . I condensate them on one side and spaced them on the other to create different solid and void ratios Project 2 Part A : Material Exploration
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I raped the mix in the back with rope to create a dynamic surface 3D plane not flat
I pressed the mix with crashed aluminon foil at the perimeter to create a rough void
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Reflection The result of this trial created a more condense module that can be used with the other module creating one interesting faรงade with multiple varies of solid and void ratios
Condensate openings vs spaced opening highlighting the idea of being responsive to the environment and the spaces Portfolio
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Smooth surface create by the jar as wanted
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Rough part created by the aluminum foil as wanted
The addition of the ropes creates a more interesting play in the top surface that can be used in the design in response ARCH 473/3522 - Spring Fall 2020
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Conclusion In this experiment several parameters where tested :
1- Smoothen
of the jar edges
:
creating smooth voids with the edges of the jar
2- Roughness
of the foil
:
creating irregular and rough voids forms using the foil
3- Repetitive
module
:
the module form that can be reproduced in several sizes and rotated to respond to the need of the users creating an adjustable faรงade.
4- Sticks
diameter and placement
:
using smaller straws make it more flexible to have bigger or smaller opening
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F A C E L I F T : PART II : THE PA R A M E T R I C F A C E L I F T
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CONCEPTUAL IDEA :
Location
Bloom bank main branch is an office based located on the spine of the New Cairo : south teseen road . It is placed in the corner of the street which make the building facing the street from the south and the west . As the north is facing an empty land that is used as a parking and on the east we have another office building.
The facade we are working on is located in the southwest direction facing the worst sun directing in this context and is totally made out of glass
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Enviromental Analysis
Climate : hot climate , rarely in the thermal comfort zone Humidity : humidity level high throughout the year Prevailing wind : North west with a speed of Secondary winds : North and north east
Site conditions • The facade is totally exposed to sunlight and heat radation which will reflect on the temperature of interior spaces creating an uncomfortable space. • The use of glass in the southern facade creates glare inside the building which will cause discomfort. • The users of the building will also suffer from noise pollution as the facade is facing the street. ARCH 473/3522 - Fall 2020
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Concept : the interplaying module
The concept of the interplaying module is to create a double skin mesh playing with one module that can be rotated , scaled up , scaled down , etc... This interplaying will create irregular Openings shapes and sizes that respond to the environment and the sun Orientation of the facade to provide a better interior spaces shaded from the sun rays , well illuminated , well ventilated and minimizing the noise pollution . In addition , a play of texture will be added to convey direct spatial qualities based of the functions of the building.
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Design Approaches
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1 - maximize self shading in the building by slightly incline the facade
II - creating a vdouble skin facade that respond to several factors : - Sun angles based on the season and the time of the day - The location of each module ether south or west - The function of the space if it needs to much light
III - maximize the utilization of natural ventilating by capturing the prevailing wind and creating stack ventilation using the DSF
IV - making use of the DSF by creating balconies and creating a buffering zone between the street and the interior spaces to minimize the noise pollution ARCH 473/3522 - Fall 2020
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PARAMETRIC DESIGN STRAT
Part I derived parametrizes : In this part of the project , i got the idea of experimenting and playing with solid and void using a specific module . I created an irregular module with voids on the perimeters in order to repetitive and put it next to each other creating a relation between each module . These modules together will create voids that will act as a double skin facade that respond to the site environment to maximize light penetration and create a thermal comfort interiors
Rules and relations : Solid and voids ration :
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Distance between the voids :
These parameters where concluded from the experimentation phase . First the solid and void relation in order to create the panel should be carefully studied . Second the distance between each voids as each void weaken the panel which made the model in the experiment crack in part I. Project 2 Part B : The Parametric Facelift
TEGY
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Design strategy : moving forward Inspiration - perforated mineral DSF
Digitalizing it - Voronoi tessellation Voronoi diagram is a way of dividing space into a number of regions. A set of points is specified beforehand and for each seed there will be a corresponding region consisting of all points closer to that seed than to any other. The regions are called Voronoi cells.
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Initial design attempt Grasshopper definition 46
The parameterizes that I was able to create are the population which will give use the number of varoini and the geometry and the scale of each opening . However , I want to create a range for the scale factor of each opening to have different sizes and I wanted to connected with the sun Portfolio
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Second design attempt Design aims
1. Self shading
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2. Attractor point
In this attempt , I first created a suraface that is more pertruded on the upper floors to provided self shading to the building and help in natural cooling . Second I want to created a double skin that is responsive to the sun as an attractor point where each panel opens and closes in responsive to the sun position .
Grasshopper definition
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Double Skin Analysis and Design Approaches
Bigger opening sizes on the west side and going up taking into considerations two main factors which are the functions of each floor and the orientation
The double skin concave on the lower part in the entrance to welcome people and invite them .
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Smaller openng in the south side to minimase the solar heating and proviade better thermal interior
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Architectural Analysis
First Floor
Top View
Intermidate Floors
Top Floors
The floor plans show us how each floor was treated and modified differently in respond to the double skin , to environmental factors and to spatial and functional factors .
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Double height in the first floor
Terraces created by extruding and protruding slabs Creating interesting visual connection
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Concave slab in the entrance area
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Architectural Analysis
Section
OFFICES located at the top of the building with and extenden slab to provide maxime privacy and bigger space between the skin and thewall to minimise noise and provide maxime calmnes
CO-WORKING located in the middle between the managers and the clients to facilate the circulation for the workers. Slab extended a lit bit to create a small balcony for breaks .
CLIENT AREA Located at the bottom to be easily accessible to the client where the slab is not extend and in direct connection with the double sink to provide the feeling of privacy and security .
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UPPER FLOORS Function : bank head offices 55 In this area the double skin got detached from the building wall as well as the slab creating small balconies for the managers of the banks that provide visual connection with the workers offices.
MIDDLE FLOORS Function : bank worker offices and co-working spaces In this area the double skin got detached from the building wall but it is still connected to the slab . The building wall is made out of glass creating small balconies in the area between the two walls for worker to use in their breaks .
LOWER FLOORS Function : bank client area Building wall and slab follow the double skin edges to create a sense of enclosure and security for the users of the bank to leave their investment in it safely.
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Architectural Analysis In this sections we can see how the double skin creates a different play of light in each zone mcing from the west to th south responding to the outdoor enviroment as well as the function of each space . 1 2 3
Section 1
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Section 2
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CONNECTION SHOWING THE VISUALLY CONNECTED AREA BETWEEN THE HEAD OFFICES AND THE OFFICES
SLAB CONNECTED DIRECTLY WITH THE DOUBLE SKIN WITH A THE BUILDING MAIN GLASS WALL CREATING SPACE IN BETWEEN
DOUBLE SKIN CREATING THE SHAPE OF THE SLAB
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