Kanzy Nabil- AUC - ARCH 473/3522

The American School of Sciences ARCH 473/3522 Student portfolio course, including cation, parametric analysis. Student name: Student ID:

The American University in Cairo (AUC)

School of Sciences and Engineering - Department of Architecture ARCH 473/3522 - Digital Design Studio and Workshop (Fall 2022)

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: Kanzy Nabil Student ID: 900191498

© The American University in Cairo (AUC), 2022

Kanzy Nabil Architecture Student

I’m a fourth year Architecture student at the American university in Cairo. I am very detail oriented and always seeking improvment in my work. I’m currently working on being the best person I can to acheive my future goals in life. I find architectural engineering a very challenging path, but I love that kind of constant adrenaline. I also find it a bit tricky to not let work get in my head, yet I’m always very passionate about it. I’m grateful for every chance iI got to learn something new and I’m always yearning for more.

I’m not a very sociable person, I prefer working alone, but I understand real life work can never be acheived individually, so I’m working on my social skill to be able to evolve.

I’m a person who always looks for reassurance signs of acheivement and which can sometimes cause dissapointment if i’m expecting significant results.

As for this course, I learnt that every trial is an acheivement in itself, every trial leads you towards the results you’re eager to acheive, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the start, and this pushed m to get through to my design visions and apply them into architectural designs that I can say I’m proud of.

reassurance signs cause dissresults. an acheivethe results seem like it at through to my dearchitectural designs

Sample result from material exploration

Attempt at Smocking Pattern for formwork

FABRIC FORMING

Abuilding technology that involves pouring concrete into a flexible membrane of thesynthetic fabric allowing for dramatic sculptures and designs to be created with excelent surface finishes, which isn’t normalythecase with concrete structures using rigid formworks .

WHY FABRIC FORMING?

-Creates room for complex geometries indesigns. -Decreases usage of both reinforced concrete and formwork materials up to 40%.

-Decrease in transportation, storage, and labourcosts,in adition to a decrease in deadweight.

-Optimizing on bodied energy and greenhouse gas emisions, alowing for more sustainable designs. -Improved overall durability of concrete through minimized number of air voids and blow holes dueto the permeability of the fabric.

TRIAL 1

EXPERIMENTING WITH MATERIALS: I

TRIAL 2

preparing the mixture: water to gypsumn 1:2 placing balls of varrying sizes covering with fabric & adding the gypsumn

mold sucessfully detached from fabric without cracking

TRIAL 3

preparing the mixture: water to gypsumn 2:3 placing small plates of same size overlapping adding gypsumn & spreading with brush the mold cracked due to very thin layers in some areas

preparing the mixture: water to gypsumn 2:3 drawing smocking pattern on a grid (3 cm) marking the patern on fabric connecting the stitching points taping the edges to a bowl and pouring the mix

preparing the water to gypsumn adding the gypsumn evenly brushing

edges to a bowl pouring the mix

preparing the mixture: water to gypsumn 1:2

placing balls of varrying sizes inside a bowl covering with fabric and adding wooden sticks to form holes

TRIAL 4

APPROACH

adding the gypsumn and evenly brushing it out the mold cracked while detaching the Fabric and wooden sticks got stuck

the pattern can still be seen but not the holes

Highs and Lows

ASSOCIATED PARAMETERS

-Randomised size of balls, to create a clear form of ups and downs -Changing number of holes by increasing or decreasing number of wooden sticks inserted in each hole

REFLECTIONS:

At first, the mixxture was too thick and hard to spread on favric so I changed to water to gypsumn ratio, then the mixture was too runny and spraed heavily to corners leaving very thin layes at the top of the mold so I had to adjust back and forth for the perfect ratio. Stitching the smocking took so much time and gypsumn wasn’t instantly applied so it dried a bit before applying. Sometimes The gypsumn layer was too thin to handle the holes in it, and the wooden sticks got stuck as the were not left in a vertical position, rather and angles one, and cracked the gypsum when they were removed. Afterall, I learnt alot about the material behavior under varying conditions and my eyes was opened onto how slight variations in parameters can result in very differnt design.

The Blank Facade Canvas

Sample result from material exploration using smocking

EXPERIMENTING WITH MATERIALS: II

TRIAL 5

preparing the mixture: water to gypsumn 1:2

previously drawnsmocking pattern on grid paper with 3 cm intervals

removing some stitches from previous somcking pattern to enlarge and randomize the

placing balls of varrying sizes inside a bowl

covering with pattern, adding the gypsumn and evenly brushing it out

the mold cracked while detaching the fabric but the pattern can still be seen

ASSOCIATED PARAMETERs

-Randomised size of balls, to create a clear form of ups and downs

-Changing size of somcking patterns and ommitting stitches at curvature.

preparing the water to gypsumn

placing balls sizes inside a

ASSOCIATED PARAMETERs

size of balls, to create ups and downs of somcking patommitting stitches at

preparing the mixture: water to gypsumn 1:2

adding cement to strengthen the mix: 1/6 of the gypsumn

re-using previously stiched smocking pattern

APPROACH

placing balls of varrying sizes inside a bowl

covering with pattern, adding the gypsumn and evenly brushing it out

the mold was successfully detached from the fabric and the pattern was so clean

Highs and Lows

ASSOCIATED PARAMETERS

-Randomised size of balls, to create a clear form of ups and downs - controled size of somcking pattern

REFLECTIONS:

Again the gypsumn layer was too thin and did not work well with the stitching and curvature of the balls, the gypsumn can use an additional strengthening material and i believe the tighter pattern was clearner and more interesting than the loose smocking.

The gypsumn layer was still By the following trial thin so i added an additional layer on top, the curvature of the balls worked so well with the patterns and created a dynamic product, the gypsumn was much stronger this time with the small addition of cement to the mix.

Overall, this set of trials was much more successful than the first as i took an approach and started focusing on producing alternatives of it rather than going in very different directions.

The Blank Facade Canvas

panel exploration: balls populating pattern

EXPERIMENTING WITH PANEL

Lines length

Lines spacing Thread thickness

Balls Diameter

Balls Texture Balls number Balls Arrangment

Triangles Size

Height of Protrusions

Depth Of recessions

Height of Curvature

Strength of Curvature Expansion or compression in pattern

TRIAL 01: Transalting the Surface Pattern TRIAL 02: Creating

The Blank Facade Canvas

TRIAL 02: Combining The Parameters

Creating a surfaceAdding points Pinching surface Or subdividing into traingles ??

Arranges ball sizesLetting surface take the Or manipulating surface through points

Creating openings by reduc-

EXPERIMENTING WITH PANEL

TRIAL 01: Transalting the Surface Pattern

Creating a rectangle

Dividing the surface

Pinching and spreading around point diameter

Constructing nurb curves, lofting and extruding

Add Control Points

TRIAL 01: Transalting Ball arangement

Creating a rectangle box

Populating the region with points

Crearing the spheres

Randomizing the diameters

TRIAL 02:

The Blank Facade Canvas

Creating a deomain

Generating equally

and extruding the spheres

TRIAL 02: Combining The Parameters

Creating a deomain box and a rectangular panel

Generating horizontal frames and deconstructing plane

Moving points by vector and coonstructing nurb curves

Computing perline noise and mapping points

Generating equally spaces points on x axis

TRIAL 03: Transalting the Smocking Surface Pattern

8 Panel Alternatives location of attractor subdivisions, reduction frame scale

8 Panel Alternatives through changing location of attractor point, number of subdivisions, reduction rate & panel frame scale

REFLECTIONS:

Again the gypsumn layer was too thin and did not work well with the stitching and curvature of the balls, the gypsumn can use an additional strengthening material and i believe the tighter pattern was clearner and more interesting than the loose smocking.

The gypsumn layer was still By the following trial thin so i added an additional layer on top, the curvature of the balls worked so well with the patterns and created a dynamic product, the gypsumn was much stronger this time with the small addition of cement to the mix.

Overall, this set of trials was much more successful than the first as i took an approach and started focusing on producing alternatives of it rather than going in very different directions.

The Blank Facade Canvas

Sample result from clustering experimentation

THE PROPOSED COULD FACADE MOVEMENT

TRIAL 02: Combining The Parameters

THE PROPOSED TYPE OF PANELS COULD BE USED TO FORM A KINETIC FACADE THAT RESPONDS TO THE MOVEMENT OF SUN AND CAN ALSO BE

REFLECTIONS:

Understanding the logic behind the geometry created by gypsumn was not complicated as it already followed a defined logic to begin with, but the tricky part for me was translating it into a grasshopper definition and adapting on it afterwardsOverall, this set of trials was much more successful than the first as i took an approach and started focusing on producing alternatives of it rather than going in very different directions.

The Blank Facade Canvas

Interior shot of double facade

Final Parametric Facade

3D Shot of Parametric Facade

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The objective is to explore and parametrically generate a prototype for a building façade skin that takes into consideration issues of environmental comfort, spatial relations and human aspects using a passive approach.

You are required to develop a parametrically driven building skin for the building shown below (National Bank of Egypt Branch, South Teseen Rd, New Cairo). The main façade of the building is in a South/Southwest orientation, and so you are required to devise an appropriate envelope that provides adequate shading and sun protection.

Your building skin designs should originate from your explorations in Project 1. You should capitalize on ideas captured in the material exploration and the subsequent single/cluster iterations to develop conceptual approaches based on the derived parameters, rules and relationships in order to define design alternatives. Your approach should devise a parametric logic for the design of the façade skin based on environmental, spatial, functional, and/or aesthetic considerations. You are to assume functional and behavioral scenarios and settings during your investi-

INTRO AND BASIC PRINCIPLES

-Double Skin Facades is generic term for transparent, translucent or opaque construction.

-Typically use decoupled layers of material placed in a way which promotes air flow (20 cm - a few meters).

-This process can be natural, fan supported or even mechanical.

-Reduces heat gain through insulation from extreme temperatures.

-Simple modifications such as creating opening or closing them can transform the facade.

-Reduces cooling and heating requirements.

-Allows for natural lighting and ventilations.

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

-Reduced running cost vs high initial cost .

-Allowing clear views & natural light vs space consumption.

-Improved thermal & acoustic ventilation vs high maintenance.

-Allow natural ventilation and air renewal vs malfunctioning in context changes.

In cold climates, air buffer works as a barrier to heat loss. Sun -heated air contained in the cavity can heat spaces outside reducing demand for indoor heating.

STUDIO AND WORKSHOP

1- Box Window

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

In hot climates , the cavity can be vented outside the building to mitigate solar gain and decrease the cooling load. Excess heat is drained through chimney effect.

2-Shaft Window

3-Coriddor

4-Multi-story

Space is divided horizontal ly and vertically, air intakes and air An alternation modules partitioned tical ventilation over several floors, aging stack effect. Large cavity in which generally possible The cavity is physically titioned at the level storey. Includes cavity tween inner and skins. It extends over façade without any

PERFORMANCE

DESIGN STUDIO

Open Natural Convection

Space is divided horizontally and vertically, individual air intakes and air outlets. An alternation of facade modules partitioned by vertical ventilation extending over several floors, encouraging stack effect.

Large cavity in which it is generally possible to walk. The cavity is physically partitioned at the level of each storey.

the cavity can be the building to gain and decrease Excess heat is chimney effect.

Includes cavity space between inner and outer skins. It extends over entire façade without any dividers.

Air circulated in middle cavity due to buoyancy effect. Entrance of air is in the lower part, exit is located at top, creating thermal resistance between inner & outer environment. Heated air in the middle can be naturally used by opening windows. Works by natural convection, but air is trapped in space between as thermal flows of inner and outer crusts are different, air circulates naturally in gaps. However, natural ventilation doesn’t happen due to closed middle cavity.

AND WORKSHOP

In this method, air heated in middle gap is sent to rooms with a fan. In this method, the system acts as a preheater for air.

Conditioned air system without an interaction. Air conditioning is realized by natural or mechanical ventilation.

1- Buffer System 2-Ectract Air System

Uses warm exhaust air of interior space to increase constantly the temperature of cavity. A mechanical ventilation system is used for the rooms.

Uses natural ventilation within the cavity to guide tempered air into rooms and extract the used air for a constant exchange process.

PREVIOUSLY DERIVED PARFAMETERS

•Number of subdivisions

•Size of triangles

•Percentage of openings.

•Magnitude of curvatur.

•Magnitude of inflation.

SPECIFIC STRATEGY TO ADOPT

•Utilizing kinetic design to optimize algae growth in a photobioreactor facade system.

•Algae can double in biomass every 24 to 48 hours while absorbing approximately twice their weight in CO2 from the atmosphere.

•algae-derived biofuels allow a building to meet most of its own energy needs.

•Algae strains typically grow best between 20 and 30° C which makes it applicable in Cairo

NEW PARAMETERS

•Diameter of circles

•Size of triangles

•Curvature of triangles

•Rotation angle of fans

•Number of subdivisions

•Percentage of openings

FUNCTIONALITY AND TECHNECHALITIES

ADRESSSING CONCEPTUAL GOALS, VARIATION AND COMPLEXITY

FULLY CLOSED SEMI-CLOSED FULLY OPEN

FOLDING SHADING PANELS

The number of shading panels open can be adjusted based on required shading, ventilation or view range

OVERLAPPING

OVERLAPPING WITH DIFFERENT SIZES BASIC

STRUCTURE VARIATION

The structure can be adjusted to overlap with the same sizes or with some rescaling and it works as it’s modular. This overlapping can be used to create different ambiance through light and shadow patterns as well as different degrees of privacy.

PANELS

shading panels open on required view range adjusted to overor with some as it’s modular. used to create through light and well as different

VARIATION

1ST DEGREE 2ND DEGREE 3RD DEGREE 4TH DEGREE

•Lounges •Cafes •Receptions •Communal offices •Outdoors •Offices and accounting •Teller and customer service. •Private offices •Meeting rooms

5TH DEGREE

Step 1: creating the base hexagonal grid with suitable dimensions.

Step 2: creating a secondary hexagonal grid with half the original size.

Step 3: planes.

Step 5: dispatching the surface with attractor curves.

Step 6: dispatching the smaller grid and overlapping.

Step 7: creating as a rotation

hexagonal grid with and overlap-

Step 3: adding circles defined b y the base planes.

Step 4: forming surfaces between hexagonal and circular grids.

Step 7: creating shading fans with the solar path as a rotation attractor.

Step 8: unitised structural modules and extruded steel connections.

ENVIRONMENTAL

ANALYSIS

RADIATION ON INNER FACADE

FOLDING CLOSED IN EAST FOLDING IN THE AFTER

FOLDING SHADING PANELS CLOSED IN THE MORNING FROM EAST

FOLDING SHADING PANELS OPEN IN THE AFTER FROM EAST

RADIATION ON SLABS

VR EXPERIENCE

Varied Openings : the overlaps look interesting but experimentation with shade and shadow is needed.

Structural Connections : structural rods are not connected to slabs and are interferring with the view.

In between both facades: railings missing and out door areas can be increased in size.

Exterior: shading

needed.

Exterior: shading fans are too large and thick. missing size.

FLOOR PLANS

Photobioreactor

GRASSHOPER DEFINITION

Creating the hexagonal grids Creating the embedded circular grids Dispatching the grids using drawn curves as attractors

Dispatching the grids using drawn curves as attractors

Creating and piping the structural rods

Morphing the geometry on the surface

Dispatching the grids using drawn curves as attractors

Extruding and separating surfaces

curves as attractors

Creating the shading fans, extruding and moving them

Morphing the geometry on the surface

3D FABRICATION

ESTIMATED TIME IS 3 HOURS 36 MINUTES, USING 10g

SUPPORT IS NEEDED TO REPLACE THE VOID CREATED FOR THE ENTRANCES

ESTIMATED TIME IS 4 HOURS 42 MINUTES, ING 14 g

TILTED SO IT NEEDS EXTRA SUPPORT THUS EXTRA TIME

ESTIMATED TIME IS 4 HOURS 42 MINUTES, USING 14 g

TILTED SO IT NEEDS EXTRA SUPPORT THUS EXTRA TIME

ESTIMATED TIME IS 3 HOURS 0 MINUTES, USING 9g

LAID ON FACDE SO LESS SUPOORT IS NEEDED

REFLECTIONS:

Overal this was the most exciting part of the course as I saw my vission come true on an actual building facade. I learnt to incorporate calculated descisions based on environmental and spatial analysis in my code and optimize on them.

• “Algae Textile: jnxsssou3n8pww7hbx6-98ssr.

• • “Home ‘DergiPark.”

• The Influence article/10.1088/1755-1315/992/1/012005.

• • Marani, Curtainwall.” 2019, gae-glass-curtainwall/.

• • “Origami youtube.com/watch?v=ws05ANhcq1U&themeRefresh=1.

• • Rezazadeh, opment of tal Engineers, • • “University Systems university-of-florida-graduates-mani-karami-and-drew-kauffman-create-photobioreactor-fa cade-systems-for-algae-architecture.

• • “University Systems university-of-florida-graduates-mani-karami-and-drew-kauffman-create-photobioreactor-fa cade-systems-for-algae-architecture.

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Biblography

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• “Algae Textile: Bio-Façade.” Petra Bogias, https://www.petrabogias.com/algaetextile/p94gxqacblcjnxsssou3n8pww7hbx6-98ssr.

• • “Home ‘DergiPark.” Home “ DergiPark, https://dergipark.org.tr/en/.

• The Influence of Using Responsive Façade as a Tool for ... - Iopscience. https://iopscience.iop.org/ article/10.1088/1755-1315/992/1/012005.

• • Marani, Matthew. “UNC Charlotte’s Integrated Design Research Lab Imagines an Algae-Glass Curtainwall.” Facades+, Premier Conference on High-Performance Building Enclosures., 3 May 2019, https://facadesplus.com/unc-charlottes-integrated-design-research-lab-imagines-an-algae-glass-curtainwall/.

• “Origami Crease Pattern (Grasshopper Tutorial).” YouTube, YouTube, 9 Jan. 2022, https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=ws05ANhcq1U&themeRefresh=1.

• Rezazadeh, Hamidreza, et al. “Reduction of Carbon Dioxide by Bio-Façades for Sustainable Development of the Environment.” Environmental Engineering Research, Korean Society of Environmental Engineers, https://www.eeer.org/journal/view.php?number=1281.

• “University of Florida Graduates Mani Karami and Drew Kauffman Create Photobioreactor Facade Systems for Algae Architecture.” Archinect, https://archinect.com/features/article/150209394/ university-of-florida-graduates-mani-karami-and-drew-kauffman-create-photobioreactor-facade-systems-for-algae-architecture.

• “University of Florida Graduates Mani Karami and Drew Kauffman Create Photobioreactor Facade Systems for Algae Architecture.” Archinect, https://archinect.com/features/article/150209394/ university-of-florida-graduates-mani-karami-and-drew-kauffman-create-photobioreactor-facade-systems-for-algae-architecture.

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