Nada Issa- AUC - ARCH 473/3522

Student Portfolio

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: Nada Issa Student ID: 900193237

© The American University in Cairo (AUC), Fall 2022

Nada Issa Architecture Student

My name is Nada Issa, and I am a senior architecture student. I studied in a french school until Grade 9, and then I transfered to get my IGCSE. The summer before being admitted to university my best friend and I, opened a coffeeshop in Sahel. We developed new experience at a young age, and we still run it, but only during summer holidays, in Sahel season.

Fabric Formwork

Fabric formwork is a concrete construction method that uses geotextile textiles as the formwork material. Fabric formwork systems are suitable for both cast-in-place and precast concrete construction. Fabric formwork is adaptable enough to shape beams, columns, walls, and other structures. Under the pressure of wet concrete, the fabric molds develops the desired shape.

One of the techniques used to create a desired shape is sewing the formwork. Hand smocking is often accomplished by drawing a regular grid on the fabric sheet to be fitted and joining the pattern line ends where additional fabric must be collected.

Ratio and Thickness experiment

Formwork: Plastic bag water to gypsum Ratio: 1:1.5 Texture: runny Time to dry: 20 min.

TRIAL 1

I started with experimenting the water to gypsum ratio by measuring the volume using the same cup and the weight using a scale The paste was runny so I added another 10 g I casted the mixture to the plastic bag and I spread it out. The thickness was very thin so it was very fragile and it broke before I removed the bag. So I repeated the same process but with doubling the measurements this one turned to be thicker and I was able to remove it from the plastic bag without breaking it.

Sewing and pattern formation

Formwork: Plastic bag water to gypsum Ratio: 1:2 Texture: Good wokabilty Time to dry: 15 min.

TRIAL 2

In this trial I wanted to experiment the effect of sewing the formwork and how it affects the final outcome so I started by sewing the plastic bag in parallel lines then I casted the gypsum and held the bag from above. After it dried I removed the bag but it was very hard to remove the thread because I used a black thread so I tried to burn the ends of it but the flame left yellow spots on the form.

Uniforming the pattern

TRIAL 3

In this trial I decided I will sew a uniform pattern and I will use white thread to be camouflaged with the color of the gypsum. In this trial I was a bit slow, so the mixture got thick before I started casting it and once it was spread in the bag and I tried to add the cups to give it a wave shape it was full of cracks.

TRIAL 4

In this trial I repeated the same steps of sewing, ratio of the mixture, the color of the thread but tried to be faster, and I also used different cups to be able to withstand the weight of the form without moving. This time the model did not crack and I was able to remove the plastic bag easily because the thickness of the model was also adjusted.

PERFORATION EXPERIMENTATION

I wanted to try the perforations in the model so I sewed triangular patterns on double fabric but it was extremely hard to remove from the fabric.

I was only able to remove this part shown in the pictures.

The second technique was to perforate the plastic bag itself but I wanted to try smaller perforations with different thicknesses and distances between the openings very few parts that survived from this trial.

PERFORATION EXPERIMENTATION

Another thing I wanted to experiment was the size and location of the perforations.

I tried two techniques the first one was to cast the mixture as it is in the bag then adding an object with the same perforation shape on it

I tried it first with two rounded containers and it worked perfectly with this size.

I decided I would try the same technique but using smaller objects. The weight of the bottles was nit heavy enough to push the mixture so it created a layer that is not thin enough to be removed without breaking the model

PATTERN EXPERIMENTATION

Trial 9

To make sure that the problem was in the fabric not the size of the perforations, I repeated what I did in the first exercise but using fabric. the fabric was too hard to remove as the texture of the fabric was rough making it harder to remove. Conclusion: Work with the plastic bag, tohave smooth texture and easier to work with

To reach the losange shapes that I was trying to produce, I sewed a pattern on the plastic bag to experiment with it.

Trial 10 the density was very low so the shapes did not appear as I wanted.

TRIAL 10

TRIAL 11

Trial 11 the width of the losange needed to be adjusted to be able to remove the plastic bag without breaking the shape.

Parametric Building Block

The surface manipulation: The size of the force that pushes the surface is an important parameter so the height and diameter is critical. The location of the forces and the distance between them. all these parameters will affect the form of the surface.

The position of the force from the corners, as well as, the height at which the force is acting from.

D=X-(Y+Z)/2 D>0.8

the different divisions in the X and Y directions can give different shape to the single losange. The height of the extrusion of the single unit of losange and the radius that will smooth the edges.

The Distance between each point of attrction and the radius of the force acting around the point. affects the shape of the losange.

The Thickness of the surface. The diameter of the voids and the distance between the edge of two voids should always be more than 0.8 cm to avoid breaking.

surface was created Divided by points points of repulsion was added. The points on the curve where remaped accourding to their distance from the force

A new surface was created from the manipulated points.

Different iterations to the same surface but with changing the location of the point of repulsion.

The surface was divided into a diamond grid

Different variations using different numbers of divisions in Both X and Y direction.

Extrusion from the center of the diamond

The sharp edges were smoothen

Different extrusion heights

Voids in the form were introduced

Creating different void pattern

Final Panel

SIZES AND NUMBERS OF VOIDS

DIFFERENT SIZES AND NUMBERS OF VOIDS

CHOSEN PANELS

The same panel is mirrored on 4 directions. It gives a dynamic form but too repetitive.

The same panel is arrayed. This orientation allow for large voids to pass air very easily between each panel.

CLUSTERING ITERATIONS

The same panel is mirrored but one of the 4 panels is arrayed to create void between the panels

The same panel is mirrored on one of the rows. then the row is mirrored and shifted to create

Chosen Cluster

The same was done here as the previous cluster but two different panels were used.

28 Basic Principles & Classifications of Double Skin Façade Systems

façade systems that have two layers, often glass, and let air to pass through the middle cavity. This area, which can range in size from 20 cm to a few meters, serves as insulation against harsh weather conditions, winds, and noise, enhancing the building’s thermal performance in both hot and cold climates.

There are two main types of double-skinFacades: sealed and aerated. Sealed double-skin facades are not recommended for hot climates, as they trap heat gain by radiation. Aerated double-kin façades eliminate the heat between the inside to outside by the stack-effect

Double-skin façades depend heavily on external conditions that directly influence internal comfort and user quality of life

Double-skin façades can be used to improve building efficiency while maintaining good natural lighting.

SEALED DOUBLE SKIN FACADE

The air buffer acts as a heat loss barrier in cold areas.

AERATED DOUBLE SKIN FACADE

To reduce solar gain and the need for cooling in warm areas, the cavity can be vented outside the structure, using chimney effect. some openings can be added in each floor to allow the hot air out of the building.

DESIGN APPROACHES

STATIC DESIGN

Here the shading element does not move from its original location and they are all replica of each other, so the angles are optimized to minimize heat exchange. Different configuration is shown here with different angles to optimize the daylight as well.

DYNAMIC DESIGN

The shapes are varying and the openings are not the same in all of the modules. so the protrusion and the voids are optimized

KINETIC AND RESPONSIVE DESIGN

KINETIC AND RESPONSIVE DESIGN

The single module is responsive to the sun so it opens and closes depending on the angle of sunrays to avoid glare and extra heat gain.

DIFFERENT MOTION TYPES

The single module rotates on the center to open or close.

The single triangle rotates on veritical axis.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

ADVANTAGES

1-Reduce cooling and heating demand.

2-Allow clear views and natural light.

3-Improve insulation, whether thermal and acoustic. 4-Allow natural ventilation and air renewal, creating a healthier environment.

DISADVANTAGES

1-Much higher initial cost of construction

2-Consumption of space

3-High maintenance (running cost)

4-If the context dramatically shifts, it could not work effectively.

SITE CONDITIONS AND ENVIROMENTAL FACTORS

Egypt has a hot desert dry environment, which is distinguished by high levels of direct sunlight and clear skies. To reduce heat gain, these climatic factors require particular façade treatments. However, the majority of modern office buildings in 90s road use envelope solutions that adhere to foreign design trends, including huge glass curtain walls, while ignoring shading strategies and the environment, which leads to excessive energy usage.

More than 80% of the year needs sun shading.

Psychrometric Chart

Wind Rose

ZONING AND SLAB MODIFICATIONS

The slabs can be protruded and outdoor terraces overlooking street can be integrated in the facade.

WEST

Private Meetings

Private Offices Open Offices

SOUTH

Terraces to provide shade to lower floor

Skin closer to direct  wind

The small voids in the panel will help in ventilation and let in light , decreasing the energy used in the building

Elevation

GRASSHOPER DEFINITION

Let in indirect light

The voids in the panel let in light and air while decreasing the solar radiation significantly. it also does not block the vew of the sttreet

FEEDBACK AND CONCLUSION:

view from voids skin portrusion catches wind from N and NW

The facade does not reflect a one unit it needs to be modiied and find a logic for the connection between the panels

The location of the voids are not positioned according to an enviromental strategy.

Slabs intersects with large voids

The divisions are large compared to the building The void size is large and intersect with slab.

FEEDBACK AND CONCLUSION

1-Increase the number of divisions in horizontal and vertical direction.

2-Avoid making voids infront of slab especially if it is connected to it.

3-Decrease size of void

MODIFICATIONS

The size of the grid and the voids where adjusted.

The voids infront of slabs are closed The density of the voids decreases as it goes to south.

INTERIOR SHOTS

Scale of voids and divisions is very large in 1:1 Continue Curtain wall to close the Space

EXTERIOR SHOTS

Scale of voids and division is very large the distance of the portrusion is very large

FLOOR PLANS

Ground Floor

First Floor

Fourth

FLOOR PLANS

Second Floor

Third Floor

Sixth Floor

Roof

SECTIONS

SECTIONS

58 SOLAR RADIATION ANALYSIS

BEFORE ADDING THE DOUBLE SKIN

The solar radiation is very high on most of the facade. The radiations decrease on the part that has terrace infront of it.

AFTER ADDING THE DOUBLE SKIN

The Solar radiation decreased significantly but some areas in the ground and first floor still has high radiation.

AFTER MODIFICATIONS

After changing the size of the diamond grid and changing the density of the voids, the solar radiation is optimized.

The first trial produced extreme number of supports so it gave me a very long time 46 HRS.

For the second trial when I rotated the facade to be standing the time decreased to 6HRS.

Course Refection

This course has insanely benifited by learning abilities in terms of digital tools and theoretical frameworks. I have learned information that will probably last me a lifetime, due to its nature of being very interesting yet of extreme benefits at the same time. This course has taught me a lot about how to think outside of the box and how to create something out of a concept that is inspired by physical model making, and vast amounts of research that actually help in understanding intricate concepts of parametric model making. Coming out of this course, I am very grateful for the opportunity to have learned what it means to design parametrically while understanding the concept of parameters and how they impact design.

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