Student Portfolio
ARCH 473/3522 - DIGITAL DESIGN STUDIO AND WORKSHOP Mariam Morsy 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: Mariam Morsy Student ID: 900153416
Š The American University in Cairo (AUC), October 2020
Mariam Morsy Architecture Student
I believe that this course will help me as a student, develop my computational and digital skills. I am looking forward to using rhino and grasshoper and to be able to developp a parametric design. My goal is to be able to use these tools for my future and to be able to produce any shape I want that I don’t necessarely know how to produce on other softwares such as AutoCad or Revit.
I am a senior architectural engineering student at the American University in Cairo. Having lived my whole life in Switzerland, far from my home country, I developped a sense of attachment to the different cultures and traditions of the countries I have encountered. This obsession was the origin of my fascination to the different architecture all around the world and how it developped through the years. For me, architecture is more than a profession, it is a lifestyle. Becoming an architect was always my dream. My goal as a child was to help people that I saw on the streets without shelter. I feel like it is a very enriching and a very hard profession.
Table of Contents
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02
Shelter for the Homeless
The Bank Faรงade Canvas
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The Parametric Facelift
The Bank Faรงade Canvas
The shelter which illustrates the metamorphosis otf the butterfly and shows the final form that is The but shelter versatile free.which illustrates the metamorphosis otf the butterfly and shows the final form that is versatile but free.
01 Shelter for the Homeless
2 Project Location: aLexandria, egyPt Alexandria is the second-largest in Egypt, locatProject Location: Alexandria,city Egypt ed by the Mediterranean sea andport a major Alexandria is a Mediterranean cityeconomic in Egypt. center. The prevailing wind is coming from the Noth West at a high velocity.
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Shelter for the homeless
3 The different in Alexandria. Tha landmarks famous landmarks of Alexandria.
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4
design drivers We chose the butterfly as it is an insect that has various species which could represent various user background. Butterflies are known to be an indicator of a healthy environment, they are aesthetically beautiful. This insect growth could be interpreted as the improvement of the user’s life. Its final stage is an image of beatuy, peace, versatility and freedom. The butterfly has four stages to its lifecycle; egg, caterpillar, pupa, butterfly. Each stage is different and is tailored specifically to protect, nurture and allow the creature to develop into its ultimate form. This same creature will adopt four different morphologies that adapt through various environment to atteign its ultimate.
“You do not just wake up and become the butterfly growth is a process” - Rupi Kaur
concePt
- the PuPa
Protective layer during the 3rd stage. Usually hung to a leaf by a silk stem where the cremaster (microscopic hooks) will help the tail hold securely to the silk. At first the pupa is soft, after a few hours it will harden to hard shell. Taking the protective layer of the pupa, the feeling of comfort, shelter and refuge. The organic but structured patterns of the silk pad that are attached to the cremaster are also an inspiration.
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Shelter for the homeless
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architecture manifestations
The pupa with its physical properties represent the refuge that the shelter will provide.
The lightweight, flexibility and versatility will be inspired by the foreleg of the insect.
The movement of the butterfly as well as the wings will be illustrating the dynamism of the shelter.
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abstraction Process
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modeL iterations & attemPts
The second attempt was more successful. I tried to design an element that would be the privste zone. then an dominant concave shape for the shelter. The pupa would be situated in the middle and would be hidden to imitate a gem or a hidden jewel. Finally, the dynamic but lightweight structure would be used as a shading device for the outdoor gathering space. The first attempt to model was very hard for me as it was the first time to use the program. I tried to make a dominant concave shape that would protect the user from the outter environment. A dominant structural element was added in the center to show its importance and was illustrating the pupa of the butterfly. The curves were drawn then loft was used.
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Shelter for the homeless
9 This is why it is located in the middle of the area. It looks like it is hanging from the upper element while in fact, it serves as a structural element. Its bulky aspect as well as its location show how important and how essential it is. It could be interpreted as the hidden gem. Finally, the lightweight vertical structure is a mesh. It is a shading device for the outdoor gathering and socializing area. Its dynamism, lightweight and versatility represent the freedom and peace at the end of the butterfly’s metamorhosis. It represents the take off to a better life. Moreover it constracts with the organic double skin found on the The last attempt was very enriching. dominant element. Both of the patI believe that the form of the shelter tern and how they connect represaw a huge progress. Indeed, I start- sent the cremaster. ed over and tried to implement all the ideas simultaneously. I also tried to focus on the details because the details make theessence of the project. The first figure shows the dynamism of the form and how the three elements complement each other. The bid concave element would be used as a commercial area where people would sell their goods in a shaded area. The white central area is representing the chrysalis which is generally a protected element. ARCH 473/3522 - Fall 2020
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form formgeneration generation
The form starts by a simple curve that is an abstraction of the chrysalis to a complex interlocking of curves that are lofted, patched, extruded and projected on surfaces.
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The final outcome. A shelter for the homeless inspired by the butterfly chrysalis and cremaster.
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architecturaL anaLysis
TARGET USER
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Shelter for the homeless
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TOP VIEW
NORTH
SOUTH
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digitaL fabrication
I chose the Cura program in order to 3D print my model. Laser cutting will be impossible as the form of my project is organic and has a lot of intersecting surfaces as well as different mesh structures with different patterns. The best option was to use Cura. One of the challenges is to be careful of the lightweight “flying� mesh and to provide a support to carry the flying surfaces.
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Shelter for the homeless
19 Experiencing the material and its limitations
02 ARCH 473/3522 - Fall 2020
The Bank Faรงade Canvas Mariam Morsy
TTrial 1 rial 1 marbles+fabric+Threads+gypsum mix
The first step was to place marbles inside a fabric and use an elastic thread to accentuate the curve. The module was repeated with different sizes and were placed carefully next to each other to create an interesting form.
The second step was to pour the gypsum mix (Water+gypsum at a ratio of 3:2) on the form. Different layers were done in order to solidify and make it possible to stand by itself.
The last step was to wait until it solidified. Then, to take off the marbles as well as the fabric from the bottom in order to see the model holds itself. The model was successful.
Trial 2 paper
+gypsum mix +mesh
Because of material limitations, folded paper was used instead of a water balloon.
The gypsum mix was added carefully on the form with the help of a brush.
A mesh made of plastic was added after the first layer was dry. This mesh could represents many things from nature and could be interpreted as a double skin.
A second mesh was superposed to create different densities at different areas.
Another layer of gypsum mix was placed on the whole composition with the help of a brush. I thought that the mesh would create a recessed area but it wasn’t that clear.
So I decided to to peel off the different mesh layers in order to have an engraved effect. The effect was obvious but unfortunately a bit messy because I didn’t leave it enough to dry.
Trial 3 plasTic sTraws
+gypsum mix
The goal of this experiment was to create a substractive type of fabrication where a cube with plastic straws is immersed with gypsum mix. The place of the straws would be the negative space in the building.
This experiment was unsuccesful because of the material limitation. I unfortunately ran out of gypsum mid experiment and as a result was forced to add water more than the required. It prevented the modl from solidifying. The experiment should be repeated.
explOriNg The dOuble sKiN aN OrgaNic, iNcOsisTeNT mesh
ballOON
+gypsum +mesh
As an initial idea, I wanted to use a water balloon to act as a mold. But I found a latex round balloon that was thick enough without water.
Pouring multiple layers (3) of gypsum mix and doing some retouch with the help of a brush or my hand.
The next step was to place the mesh above the curved surface. In areas where I wanted it more private, I folded the mesh in order to increase the density. Finally, poured the gypsum mix above the mesh. The trick here is to leave the mesh long enough for the gypsum to take its shape but not long enough for it to dry completey so it doesn’t solidify. Then I peeled off slowly the mesh to have a recessed double skin.
While pouring the gypsum mixe, i encountered some problem in keeping the consistency of the gypsum equal. Meaning that I was pouring it from the top of the balloon and some areas were covered more than others. Also, after pouring multiple layers, I noticed that the gypsum started drying giving an impression as if it was still pouring (see image). Thisis the effect of gravity, we can see how it is weighed down going in the Y direction. To try to hide it, I tried to change the placement of the balloon and pour from different direction, but i still encountered the same problem.
a recTiliNear, cONsisTeNT mesh
recTaNgular bOx
+gypsum +plasTic plaTe
Looking for a mold that was ready for me to use in order to experiment on the double skin pattern. I used an empty Ferrero Rocher box.
Pour the gypsum mix above the box and wait until just before it dries.
Take the plastic plate and place it above the gypsum and add pressure on it in order for it to take the pattern. Apply pressure for a minute and the take off carefully.
explOriNg The dOuble sKiN
The first stepis to select marbles from different sizes in order to create different densities and different arrangement to procure a more dynamic and “bubbly” exterior shell or façade.
The second step is to create a modular grid thatwill serve as a support to your cast but also as a measuring tool. This grid was designed to be 1*1 cm squares.
Place the marbles at different densities,sizes and distances from each other to create a dynamic shape, but also to allow holes and curves on the façade. If necessary, glue the marbles together.
Place the modular grid made of wooden sticks on an elevated surface along with the marbles. Elevating it will allow us to see in a more accurate way the gravity and how the holes are created.
Place a fabric above the marbles so that the gypsum mix doesn’t stick to the marbles but also to allow the form to be continuous. When pouring the mix, the gaps will normally be sagging due to heave material, and this will define our holes.
Pour an initial layer of gypsum on the fabric, the gypsum will help the fabric take the shape of the marbles. The holes will be cut after seeing where the sagging will occur. Then, multiple layers of gypsum mix will be poured.
Controlling the bumps with different marble size or radiuses and densities.
The holes are controlled with the distance between the marbles. Minimim hole is of 1.5 cm*1.5 cm.
This stage was very enriching and enjoyable. Indeed, playing with the material and handling it allowed me to understand what are the parameters and how changing one parameter can affect the whole faรงade or the whole shape. This phase was exciting as it was interactive with the material and provided me with self learning. My first experiments were only initial ideas, each one in a specificbut opposite direction. The second week I tested different double skin patterns using differnet techniques. The final week for me was the most enriching and useful. Indeed, I tweaked different parameters (distance or spacing, thickness, densities, bumps and radiuses in order to create a dynamic and perforated form. I think this was my favorite part because I also got to understand how to play with gravity and use basic physical laws to helpme in the model. Finally, this process allowed me to learn how to test, cast and create materials and shapes using gypsum mix.
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Shelter for the homeless
Designing a parametric Shading Device
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03 The Parametric Facelift ARCH 473/3522 - Fall 2020
Mariam Morsy
On an urban scale, we can see that the building is located in New Cairo in Egypt. It was built in 2002.
The function of this building is a bank. Therefore we can conclude a high density of people coming in and going out of the building
The building is located on Street 90 in the middle of a commercial zone.
Workers are essential to the operations and maintenance of the bank. They work during workin hours but also after. On a microscale, Blom Bank is situaded on the South 90th road where we can find a high level of density and is considered a traffic nodes.
The employees are present during the working hours (8am to 5pm). They require offices, lounge, cafeteria... The customers vary in social classes and backgrounds, their presence is usually from 8 am to 2pm.
e ng
The building has a glass faรงade located in the South West direction which is exposed to the sun most of the year.
Cairo has a hot climate and is barely in the comfort zone. Prevailing wind is from the North West, the secondary wind comes from the North. We can also find ahigh humidity that levels throughout the year. Therefore, direct and indirect evaporative cooling are needed, while sun shading devices are essential. Also, Cairo has high air pollution level. New Cairo is considered to have a desert climate.
There is a high solar intesity between 12 om and 4 pm.
Lower sun angles makes the southern faรงade exposed to sunlight all day long, yet the south-west faรงade is expo
osed only from 12pm to 4pm.
The flow analysis shows the potential of high wind flow in the zone close to the substraction, even though it is blocked and not utilized on the southewest façade. We can also notice that the openings in the building’s form creates a wind passageway ventilating the Southern region.
We can see through the solar radiation that the South-West façade has a high exposure to solar radiation. The average is mostly above the comfort zone (30%) which means that Cairo has a hot climate with direct exposure to sun throughout most of the year.
The façade facing the South is an issue as it allows maximal direct solar radiations and creates a greenhouse effect, trapping heat.
The fact that this façade is completely exposed to the solar radiations, it means that there will be a very harsh heat and glare inside the building.
The curved curtain wall has no openings and therefore doesn’t allow natural ventilation even though the building is located in a hot area.
The South-West façade is entirely made of glass and doesn’t have shading devices which means that the interior is completely exposed to the exterior, hence there is no privacy which is problematic as the function of the builging is a bank.
Ventilation Using windcatchers to allow a proper ventilation of the inside spaces of the building.
Sun Shading Designing a kinetic shading device that would protect the South-West faรงade from direct sun radiation. This device would be kinetic to allow a precise and effective result.
Passive Techniques Using direct and indirect evaporative cooling to cool down the warm air coming from the wind. Use of vegetations as well as water pipes.
Privacy The sizes of the openings would vary according to the privacy needs in the bank depending on the zone shaded.
The opening of the “bubbleâ€? is a factor that depends on the sun radiation. For full solar exposure of the façade, the spheres would have smaller diameter hindering. This iteration provides variations of daylight penetration, ventilation and privacy.
For this iteration, the holes depends on the distance between the spheres and also their diameter. If the distance exceeds 2.5*radius, a hole will occur as seen in the previous phase while experimenting.
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ARCH 473/3522 - Fall 2020
Mariam Morsy
Biblography
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Aranda, B. and Lasch, C. (2006). Tooling, Princeton Architectural Press, New York, USA. Balmond, C. (2007). Informal, Prestel. Dunn, N. (2012). Digital Fabrication in Architecture, Laurence King Publishing. Frederick, M. (2007). 101 Things I learned in architecture school, MIT Press. Freyer, C., Noel, S., Rucki, E. & Antonelli, P. (2011). Digital by Design: Crafting Technology for Products and Environments, Thames and Hudson. Hensel, M., Menges, A. & Weinstock, M. (2010). Emergent Technologies and Design: Towards a Biological Paradigm for Architecture, Routledge. Iwamoto, L. (2009). Digital Fabrications: Architectural and Material Techniques, Princeton Architectural Press. Jabi, W. (2013). Parametric Design for Architecture, Laurence King Publishing. Kolarevic, B. (2005). Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing, Taylor and Francis. Segaran, T. & Hammerbacher, J. (2009). Beautiful Data: The Stories Behind Elegant Data Solutions, O’Reilly Media. Spiller, N. (2009). Digital Architecture Now: A Global Survey of Emerging Talent, Thames and Hudson. Tedeschi, A. (2014). AAD – Algorithms-Aided Design, Le Penseur Publisher. Terzidis, K. (2006). Algorithmic Architecture, Routledge. Vysivoti, S. (2012). Folding Architecture: Spatial, Structural and Organizational Diagrams, Bis Publishers
ŠAll rights reserved, American University in Cairo (AUC) December 2020