Student Portfolio
ARCH 473/3522 - DIGITAL DESIGN STUDIO AND WORKSHOP Reem Elmassri 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: Reem Elmassri Student ID: 900143397
Š The American University in Cairo (AUC), May 2019
Reem Elmassri Architecture Student
to do better.
This project was a new experimentation process that I wanted to showcase in the natural phenomena that I have chosen as much possible. My natural phenomena was the process of crystallization. My fellow group mates and I searched for crystal formalization and how each crystal , naturally or artifically, come to form. My crystal heavily showed the idea of a domino effect and thus this mobility effect was needed to be shown in the form of my building model. I am grateful for this experience and need to give thanks to my professors, Dr. Sherif Mourad and Dr. Passant, as well as the beloved TA’s who provided great help including Tasbeeh Mokbel and Ahmed Wael. I would like to thank my friends, Nada Walid and Nadine Hani who were of great support and always challenged me
Crystal Formation of Sodium Acetate. The mobility process occurs by rapid molecular expansion, thus having a chain reaction. http://followtheart.info/kareff-Wed_27_1.html
01 Learning from Nature: Crystallization
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Learning from Nature: Crsytallization
3 The first photo shows the regular molecular method of crystal growth of any particular kind of salt. The process starts by polymerisation and nucleation which end up in crystal growth. The second photo shows where the natural process of crystallization can take place such as in hot water solutions. The photos below show the different presence of crystals in nature such as earth geodes, and viens in rocks.
The process of crystallization comes from the simple idea of nucleation and crystal growth. The nucleation process occurs as the salt crystals formulate around a rough surface is present. As the nucleation occurs, the crystal growth starts to accumulate. The accumulation paths go in different ways according to the type of salt crystallizing. We then come to know where crystals are found in nature and how can they be used like for example the geodes. Geodes [upper left] formulate from the cooling of hot groundwater with dissolved minerals.
The viens found in the rocks as the picture at bottom left show form from the cooling and hardening of Magma. Bigger examples of those then turn into huge crystal caves as seen in the following page.
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Reem Elmassri
4 This example of the huge crystal caves are an example of very long accumulation of the crystal growth process of the particular salt that was found in the moist areas of the cave. Another interesting type of natural crystallization is actually the petrified wood [bottom left]. This petrified wood is not actually wood but is rather composed of layers and layers of cooled magma from ages ago that crystallized on top of one another according to the salts that were present. This then creates the final form that we see when we cut through this beautiful creation.
After discovering the natural crystals found in nature, we wanted to experiment and see how we can imitate them by creating the artifical crystals. For example on the right we see the borax crystal with its chemical fromula that is unique to its crystal formation. We experimented with this salt along with other salts like sodium acetate, that I will be talking about later on.
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Learning from Nature: Crsytallization
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ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Reem Elmassri
6 We then moved on to the inspirations that many artists, architects, and even fashion designers took on from crystallization. For example in the photo on the right, Reknown fashion designer Iris Van Herpen was inspired by hows crystals were formed from something that was very fluid to something that was very solid. She tried to articulate transformation of liquid (soft and fluid) into crystals (hard and mathematical structures).
ŠAll rights reserved, American University in Cairo (AUC) May 2019 Portfolio
Learning from Nature: Crsytallization
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Another example but related to architectural models would be The Architectural Montage model. It is inspired from the transparency and triangularity of crystals. The silver myler used on selective surfaces acts as a reflective plane, creating a more complex relationship between the individual triangular prisms (inspired from Crystals) and the space surrounding it.
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Learning from Nature: Crsytallization
9 The dramatic crystal-shaped, glazed structure of The Crystal by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, has created a new independent global hub for debate on sustainable urban living and development
The dramatic crystal-shaped, glazed structure has created a new independent global hub for debate on sustainable urban living and development. The form of the structure draws inspiration from the many sides of the crystal. The crystalline geometry of the architecture forms a series of angular shapes, helping to create a confident architectural focal point for the area. The form of the structure draws inspiration from the many sides of the crystal. The crystalline geometry of the architecture forms a series of angular shapes, helping to create a confident architectural focal point for the area.
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Reem Elmassri
10 I took an artificial salt named Sodium Acetate. This salt is the same salt used in hand warmers and is also referred to as Hot ice. Sodium Acetate salt is made by mixing sodium bicarbonate and vinegar. This salt is then mixed with water upon heating in a artio of 4:1, respectively. The interesting thing about this salt is that no matter how long you leave it, no crystals will appear. This is because this solution needs to be activated in order to start the crystallization. We need to first look at the mobility of the crystals at the molecular level in order to undersatnd how the holistic level is achieved. The supersaturated solution is an ionic compound, meaning [ when dissolved, cations and anions form]. Thus solution is in an active state and needs to be neutralized. Precipitation needs to occur to form crystallites. And this is done by the nucleation process explained earlier . Nucleation is the formation of a small solid crystallite in the solution. Nucleation requires a “rough� surface on which to initiate. After the crystallite forms, a second process, known as growth, enlarges the crystallites to the macroscopic level such that they can be observed and isolated . The series of photos on the right show the rapid expansion of the soium acetate.
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Learning from Nature: Crsytallization
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ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Reem Elmassri
12 The Pattern of Movement at the holistic level thus due to the rapid ionic attraction is immediate GROWTH and EXPANSION in all directions in this crystallization. Once the nucleation process is initiated, growth occurs all over the rough space to neutralize the solution once activated. The process acts like a chain reaction [DOMINO EFFECT], where a cumulative effect is produced when one event sets of a chain of similar events. After analyzing the movement patterns and mobility of my crystal, I tred to look at inspirations that could relate to the domino effect that I was searchhing for and how it can be facilitated. For example, the Chain Reaction installation by Hnek Stallinga was an artisitic installation that was created by light moving rapidly by the bumbing of the circular light rhodes one after the other . Another pavilion example is the Pinwheel pavilion. Both structural and interactive, each of the wheels are systematically aligned; a push of a single wheel triggers the adjacent, and so on, spinning each subsequent wheel. The third example is the WATER-REACTING ARCHITECTURAL SURFACE by Chao Chen This prototype material is inspired by pinecone’s
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Learning from Nature: Crsytallization
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ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Reem Elmassri
14 The following examples come from Daan Roosegard’s company whose main focus is on the elevation interplay with the user groups. For example, the LOTUS DOME Based on the temperature of your hand and light LOTUS folds open. LOTUS gives a poetic morphing of space and people. This is composed of Mylar alloy. Another example is the FLOW 5.0. FLOW 5.0 is a smart wall composed of hundreds of ventilators that interact with passing visitors. By walking and interacting with this surface, visitors trigger the emergence of an illusive landscape created by transparent fields and artificial winds. All of these are kinetic examples that can be applied to the needed surfaces according to both environmental and user stimulus.
On the other page, these pictures represent the geomtry inspirations that one of them were taken to influence the shape and form of the model. These inspirations show how the domino effect can also come as ripple effect.
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Learning from Nature: Crsytallization
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ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
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Form generation is a combination of the expansion and the progression of a chain reaction..
02 Capturing Mobility: Modeling and prototyping
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Capturing Mobility
Site Choice The Site was chosen because of 2 main factors:
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1) Accessbilibty of Students within many entrances 2) Wide exposed area away from the Architecture department , hence a bit of refreshment to the students The court is low on natural sunlight where sun accesses it only in the morning . Light analysis Light entry is a bit critical due to the relative surface area of the court [deducting the service room area] with relation ot the 3 storey height surrounding buildings. Deductions Service room acts as a surface that activiates the nnucleation process... Hence the building should show the domino mobility and expansion from the service room The site should be fully occupied by the building, however having high porosity, Hence bypassers can still enjoy the building and surroundings.
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Capturing Mobility
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ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
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22 I began the form generation bearing two things on my mind: 1) Structure showing the domino effect 2) skin exhibiting the notion of expansion Since the building needed ot proceeed as if it nucleating form the service room absurdly found in the court, the building exhibits a slow expansion near the room and exhibits a rapid expansion near the ends of the building. The ends of the building emphasize the circulation of the building that connects all levels. The circulation is particularly sitauted at the ends of the building to demonstrate the high activity taking place in a rapid expansion simulation. Because the circulation is a very important area in this building, the domino effect is where it is demonstrated as well in the ends of the building.. At first, I started imagining how the form would be showing expansion from the boxed room, by producing oscillating waves in the form.. Then I tried to see how the structure can be adjusted around the skin as seen on the right
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Capturing Mobility
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ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Reem Elmassri
24 As the form started progressing, I encountered a problem where the form was not having a smooth transition between the circulation elements ’the ends’ and the ‘body’ of the building. The body needed to be smoothly aligned with the circulating structure to provide a better looking form that exhibits expansion from the boxed room.. I tried altering the model until it reached its final form that expresses expansion and the chain reaction effect, as seen on the right...
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Capturing Mobility
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The building consists of 2 storeys: ground and first. The gorund floor is designed to be highly porous with 3 mian entrances that all students can pass through. The ground floor is designed as a lounge for architecture students, while the first floor consists of a lab and a studio, with a terrace for the students to overlook the courtyard in... The total building footprint is 250 sqm. Reflection: At the beginning, i was worried about the geometry of the form as it was organic and forming more into a turtle like shell.. However, I started to like the form more as it was showing the idea of domino expansion more and more
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Capturing Mobility
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Patterns of Mobility
29 Mylar paneling skin interaction with the user in the main inspiration of this project, the Lotus Dome..
03 Patterns of Mobility: Shape Shifting Design ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Reem Elmassri
30 Main Inspiration: The LOTUS DOME Based on the temperature of your hand and light LOTUS folds open. LOTUS gives a poetic morphing of space and people. This is composed of Mylar alloy. When approached, the big silver dome lights up and opens its flowers. Its behavior moves from soft breathing to dynamic mood when more people interact. The light slowly follows people, creating an interactive play of light and shadow. This kinetic example can be applied to the needed surfaces according to user stimulus. This shape shifting element was chosen for two specific reasons: 1) Creates the domino effect experience for the user by lettin ght euser control the movement with his/her own hand movement. 2) The hollistic mobility is present in the expansion of the metal when heat is applied..
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Patterns of Mobility
31 Reflection: Iteration One: I wanted to come with a form that could harmonize with the organic shape of the building. I decided to create flowing waves that can create interesting interactions when stimulated.. However, the model was not succesful, as the model was not responding to the grasshopper ocde even though the code was correct.. Another reason that this model did not work was due to the big surface area the module was intended to be.. The shape -shifting element wouldnt be interacting correctly due to the relative size of the user’s hands and the mylar panels.. Iteration Two: Unfortunately, the shape shifitng element due to its complexity did not come out for some reason as a curling element. The problem was mianly with the complexity of the instruction that was needed as well as the addition of having a constant moving attractor point. This did not allow for the model to show the skin when baked, and the skin was to a great extent deformed.. As a result the elemet does not clearly show the curling idea needed.
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Main Inspiration: The picture on the left resembles the experience that would be acquired along the circulation pattern of the building. 1) Not only does this create an interesting approach for the architecture students where they can create their own domino effect on the skin 2) but also generates a visual communication between the inside and the outside..
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Patterns of Mobility
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Main Inspiration: The Mylar is a unique way of creating an interactive stimulus due to its very thin layers. The Mylar panels as seen on the right , are connected by an axis that holds them together according to the shape they’re intended to. However, this will not be applicable nor sustainable on thebuilding, hence the mylar paneling layer will be put directly before the interior of the circulation, wiht its secondary structure fixated between the frames, and finally glass on the exterior to make this skin functionable...
Unstimulated skin facade
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Hand temperature stimulus
Stimulated skin Facade
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Patterns of Mobility
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The Domino Expansion
37 Desing of th ebuilding wihtin the courtyard chosen and surrounding context...
04 Final Project:The Domino Expansion ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Reem Elmassri
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Ground Floor Plan
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
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Design : PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
The ground floor plan has 3 entrances. No doors are put iin to the design to allow for maximum pereforations in the building This allows for non user groups as well to see the building and its activities within...
Layout
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The Domino Expansion
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
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First Floor Plan
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Section A-A ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
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Layout
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The Domino Expansion
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Layout
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ŠAll rights reserved, American University in Cairo (AUC) May 2019 Portfolio
The Domino Expansion
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Biblography
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“Crystallization”,H. R. Fisher,Journal of Chemical Education 1931 8 (1), 149,DOI: 10.1021/ ed008p149.1 “Journal of Crystallization Process and Technology’s Page on Publons.” Publons, publons.com/ journal/21425/journal-of-crystallization-process-and-technology. Dubbini, Alessandra, et al. “Influence of PH and Method of Crystallization on the Solid Physical Form of Indomethacin.” International Journal of Pharmaceutics, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Oct. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25064728. “Crystallization of Sodium Acetate.” Crystallization of Sodium Acetate | Journal of Chemical Education, pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ed057p152.2.
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Reem Elmassri
ŠAll rights reserved, American University in Cairo (AUC) May 2019