Student Portfolio
A R C H 4 7 3 / 3 5 2 2 - D I G I TA L D E S I G N S T U D I O A N D W O R K S H O P Shehab ElShazly 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 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: Shehab ElShazly Student ID: 900161722
Š The American University in Cairo (AUC), May 2019
Shehab ElShazly Architecture Student
ed and talented group based upon my analytical drawing in design technology. Natural forms have inspired my exploration of architecture. Observing plants under a microscope has been inspirational, I can see the outcome of natural spatial design in the vast array of different forms and structures that have developed through the evolutionary process. I am interested in the architectural potential that these natural structures present. This biomimetic architecture has presented me with innovative new design pathways.
I was brought up in a small flat which made me aware from an early age about the value of the space I was living in. The view from the flat has stayed with me throughout my life. From four stories up I saw two flats side by side with the sun hitting the side of a building. I have always remembered that even in that block of flats there was beauty in the design and the architecture transcended the mundane. My love for art, Vedic philosophy and mathematics has informed my vision to become an architect, not only to design buildings but to build people’s thoughts, ideas and beliefs through the physical environment. As a child I spent a lot of time drawing and playing with Lego which gave me an early insight into the value of imagination and creativity. At my high school I was selected for the gift-
This caused me to automatically identify with both project 1 and 2. As for project 1, the natural inspiration and deriving certain rules and functions that would dictate the architecture of the shelter, made sense to me in terms of work flow and thought process. With project 2, an additional layer that was added, which was the physicality aspect of the project, made me more conscious and confident in terms of design. As design become more tangeable than conceptual.v
Table of Contents 01- Mobile Shelter for the Homeless 02A- Module Physical Experimentation 02B- The Blank Facade Canvas Design
The final design for the mobile shelter for the homeless
01 Mobile Shelter for the Homeless
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3 Lotus flower, the main drivoing force and inspiration for project I
Using this natural mechanism of the lotus flower, to provide a multi-dimensional experience of the homeless shelter. Upon extra analysis,of that behavior, the mechanism is done through the overlapping of the petals, and bending towards the center of the lotus flower. The process is solely dependant on sunlight, the motion of the lotus flower follows the movement of the sun. Thus, the abstraction of the phenomenon would be applied in the form of self-shading. Tranforming the petals of the lotus flowers into modules and sub-modules, with variations in size and functions, would allow for an efficient abstraction of the info gathered. The result would lead to the dynamic interatcion of the modules and their sub-counterparts, in a complementary form. The shelter is an attempt to enhance the quality of life of the homeless people of alminya. It might be an ambitious attempt at even irradicating this phenomenon, and providing most of them with stable jobs and homes
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4 The precedents had also similar concepts to that driven from the lotus flower and its petals. Tranforming the petals of the lotus flowers into modules and sub-modules, with variations in size and functions, would allow for an efficient abstraction of the info gathered. The result would lead to the dynamic interatcion of the modules and their sub-counterparts, in a complementary form. The problem was that the module had to be dynamic enough, to transform and allow a change in the experience of the users. To enforce a multi-dimensional set of functions which in turn enhances the lives of the homeless of Al-Minya.
The fluidity of a triangular module allowed this type of dynamicism, based on the precedents allows the shelter to enforce the previously mentioned multi-functions.
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The design process followed the functions and operational aspects of the lotus flower. The approach of the shelter design was based on function then form. As the form was derived from how the different functions of the modules and submodules affected the spaces and the functions.Moreover, the study of the users and their needs affected the design inquiries, especially the operability of the shelter and how it opens and closes, allowing diffefent functions as well as the integration of two or more shelters together, creating a hive-like group of spaces.
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Physical experimentations of the single module of the facade
02-A The Blank Facade Canvas
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The paste used is a mix of 5 part gypsum to 3 part water, as an attempt create a stronger clay that would endure the subtractions of the toothpicks.
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The main goal of the experiment was to test the perforations on the model surface, using toothpicks and then removing them to create negative spaces. After the settlement of the clay, the toothpicks were stuck to the model, creating a positive protrusion rather than a subtraction
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The flat and linear surface had a parameter of concentric grid with a spacing of about 5mm between each toothpick and the radius of the circle increased by 1cm progressively, creating this concentric pattern..
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The curved surface had a linear pattern with a 5mm spacing in the X-Direction and a 1cm spacing in the Y-Direction, creating a visual contrast with the flat surfaces
ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
Using this natural mechanism of the lotus flower, to provide a multi-dimensional experience of the homeless shelter. Upon extra analysis,of that behavior, the mechanism is done through the overlapping of the petals, and bending towards the center of the lotus flower. The process is solely dependant on sunlight, the motion of the lotus flower follows the movement of the sun. Thus, the abstraction of the phenomenon would be applied in the form of self-shading. Tranforming the petals of the lotus flowers into modules and sub-modules, with variations in size and functions, would allow for an efficient abstraction of the info gathered. The result would lead to the dynamic interatcion of the modules and their sub-counterparts, in a complementary form. The shelter is an attempt to enhance the quality of life of the homeless people of alminya. It might be an ambitious attempt at even irradicating this phenomenon, and providing most of them with stable jobs and homes
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This experiment builds on the previous experiment and creates more subtractions, but as volumes, instead of being two-dimensional. Using different plastic caps to create different openings with close proximity to each other, created a dynamic texture.
The larger volumetric subtractions are tightly close to each other, without spacings and the inner subtractions increase in size by a factor of 1.25 along the X-Direction, creating a more permeable facade and a dynamic lighting experience.
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The paste used is a mix of 5 part gypsum to 3 part water, as an attempt create a stronger clay that would endure the subtractions of the toothpicks.
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This was an attempt at creating a more coherent patterns, using bubble wrap to create symetrical openings. It turned out to lack any rythym or dynamicism unlike the rest of the experiments.
The parameters of the experiment consists of 5cm circles(radius) with a 1cm gap in all directions
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The paste used is a mix of 5 part gypsum to 3 part water Student Name
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Physical experimentations of the single module of the facade
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02-B The Blank Facade Canvas ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019
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These different scenarios helped in creating different uses for the spaces according to the connection between the slab and the parametric facade. This also helped in dictating the use of the prforation, shape as well as different functions using the different materials, which would allow for these different functions.
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