PORTFOLIO ARCH 473/3522 - DIGITAL DESIGN STUDIO AND WORKSHOP Mayan Abdalla Spring 2020
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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: Mayan Ayman Abdalla Student ID: 900153386
Š The American University in Cairo (AUC), May 2019 ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2020
Mayan Abdalla
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Mayan Abdalla Architecture Student
and learning new things in each one of them and seeing myself exploring new streams was totally over whelming! However, this design course was different than the other, from the very first moment we started the course and i am in a constant explorations, regarding learning new programs and seeing architecture from a different prespective as well as exploring my capabilites.
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My name is Mayan Abdalla. I am a senior architecture student in the American University in Cairo. My journey in architecture has gone through many challenges and experiences, statred from being a freshman student trying to declare in the major along with a competitin with other 80 students and knowing that they will only choose 20 students and passing through that. Then going through five design courses
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Table of Content
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Project 1 ‘Mobile shelter’ Site analysis Natural inspiration Concept Design Approach Shelter Analysis Final model
Project 2 ‘Material Exploration’ History & background Experimentaion
BOUT ME
Conclusion
Project 2 ‘Parametric Facade’ Site analysis
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Conceptual apprach Design Approach Facade Analysis Final model
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Homeless Mobile Shelter ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2020
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LOCATION
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LOCATION 6
El-Minya, Cairo Egypt
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SITE ANALYSIS
SITE ANALYSIS
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Choice of location
Site location Hospital location Greenery View
The location of the site is in El-Minya, Egypt and it was chosen as its near green area for the people to find peace and calmness. also it is near a hospital that can sponsor the shelter. Also El-Minya hosts a various collection of ancient Egyptian monuments like, beni-hassan and Tomb of amenemhet. Also it has a unique weather that is suitable for the growth of wheat, grapes. corn, cotton adn many other crops , where some of these crops are also used in the fabric industry like cotton. And some are in the food industry like grapes.
Nile View
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TARGET USER
TARGET USER 8
Why choosing the elder people to host the shelter The chioce of the shelter’s hosts are the elder people, as there are Roughly 2,000 old people are homeless the the minya governorate. Those people are of limited income and health so it is harder for them to find a source of income or to find their own shelter, therefore they should be provided with shelter. Since, The government has already started financial assistance to residents with disabilities. we wanted to contribute in this process by helping those who are weak, sick and homeless.
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NATURAL INSPIRATION
LOTUS FLOWER
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NATURAL INSPIRATION
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This is my first challenge in the course ..
Mobile shelter in El-Minya.... LOTUS INSPIRED
Inspiration Lotus Approach The choice of having the lotus flower as my main inspiration was based on several factors, firstly its relation and correspondence to the site, its relation to our history and culture, as well as its natural growth stages and process of development. The lotus flower was an ancient sybmol and it is still used until this moment with different sybolic meanings, not only in Egypt but also in various cultures. This shows that depth of the flower especially that El-Minya is in Upper Egypt, and the lotus flower used to symbolise Upper Egypt. The lotus plant has diverse range of colors, shapes and textures. Also, this plant is considered a dynamic plant in terms of its growth stages and motion patterns.
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Taking the natural inspiration more specifically
LOTUS RHIZOMES My inspiration for the mobile shelter was the ‘Lotus Flower’ and specifically the ‘Rhizomes’. They grow horizontally and grow new roots out of their nodes, down into the soil. They also shoot new stems up to the surface out of their nodes, so they are more of modified stem. The plant grows underwater and when it starts to grown, its rhizomes fall and get deeper into the soil for a stronger base. After that it starts to branch horizontally forming a clump root that spread from the center forming clusters. there isa technique that can increase in the spreading of rhizome to form new ones.
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NATURAL INSPIRATION 12
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Main Branches
CONCEPT
Sub-Branches
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L-system Branching Due to the propoerties of the lotus’ rhizomes and growth pattern, i chose the L-Sytem Branching as a design approach cause it best describes the growth of the lotus flower. The l-system branching helped me in dividing the branches of the lotus’ rhixome into several branch types in order to demonstarte each type’s importance and strength. The branches’ division was split into I 3 catgories. Main branch, which demonstrate the stngest branch in the lotus that sticks itself in the ground to hold the whole plant, So the main chranch of the rhizome will be used for structural purposes to hold the shelter. They will have the thicker diameter and more stability . The Sub-branch, which are the ones forming the shelter and covering it as conceptually, they are the part the gives life for other lotus flowers. the and small branch, will be the used for enviromental purposes in the southern facade to protect the exterior of teh shelter. My journey to come up with this conclusion took seveal trials as well as reasearch first on the lotus roots, then how to abstract this information and growth process into an idea using the branching system.
Smallest Branches
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CONCEPT 14
STRENGTH Structure Structure UNITY L-SYSTEM BRANCHING DEPENDENCE Main Branches Shelter
CONNECTION
Enviromental
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CONCEPT
First Design Approach for the shelter
Intial trails
In the first trial, i was jsut considering the shelter as a top prptection to the user not considering it as a 3d shelter that is enclosed. But the overall idea was to have a main branch that is mainly used as a structural element that support the other smaller branxhes that form the shelter itself
Why those trials failed?
After that i tried to transform the initial idea into a 3d from by first starting with the sub branshes that form the shelter. i also added 2 platforms to show the branching idea more. Portfolio
The branching patterns were too irregular and without any heirarchy. Also the idea that there is only one branch was to realistic and needed more abstraction. Another reason is that i was more thinking in the 2d direction and not on the model as a whole 3d object.
The shelter will have 3 main spaces the ground floor as the living space and the platforms will be one for sleeping are and the other for working space. For the main branch i centralised in into the shelter and it goes to the ground and also branches out Chapter name
DESIGN PROCESS 16
First Design Approach for the shelter
DESIGN PROCESS
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
I started also to first draw the main ground floor shelter using the sub-branches. Then i started to propose the location of entrance, openings and out-door spaces. The next step was to design the platforms so that they can overlook each other. platform A will be used as a sleeping space and B as a workshop for the user.
I added surfaces on the shelter in the living spacces and considered applying main entrance, outdoor entrance and openings for windows.
Step 6
Then i identified that main branches that are drawn in red so that they can support the shelter. I aslo intended for them to be spread around the shelter for arbstaction.
Step 4
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Step 5
Then i treated the southern facade by adding the last category of branching that is drawn in black to prevent the exterior facade from heat and sunlight exposure.
The last step in the model formation was to add three different thicknesses to teh three branches to show different strenghts adn functionality.
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THE INTERMINABLE SHELTER!
WHY INTERMINABLE SHELTER? The idea of branching help the shelter to expand not only on land but also vertically as the branching can expand upwards to provide people with more options to have shelter adn save the space on the ground.
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DESIGN PROCESS 18
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PLANS ANALYSIS
SHELTER ANALYSIS
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A
B
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Main entrance for the shelter
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Ground floor plan This floor will serve as the living space for the user
Outdoor space with a secondary enrtrance
Platform A plan This floor will serve as the Sleepling space for the user
Platform B plan This floor will serve as a workshop or a workspace for the user
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SHELTER ANALYSIS 20
SECTION ANALYSIS
Section A-A
Section B-B
The three sections here shows how the design has many openings to allow for light and ventilation through the whole building, this also applies to the upper floors, where other functions are carried out. Also drawing these sections made me understand more the whole model adn its level of dynamic aspect as well as the voids.
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ELEVATION ANALYSIS
Main branches holding the platforms Main branches holding the platforms Main branches holding the platforms
Northern Elevation
Eastern Elevation Outdoor shaded areas by the above platform and located in the east side for the privaling wind direction. Portfolio
Western Elevation The areas where there is no surface applied is an indication of openings for air flow.
Southern Elevation It shows the treatment of the facade using the third branch category to protect the surface from the heat and sun penetration. Chapter name
SHELTER ANALYSIS 22
FABRICATION ANALYSIS The fabrication strategy that i want to follow was 3d printing the project using cura application. To make sure that the object will fit into the 3d printing machine i scaled the building, removed the ground plane surface and adjusted the pipe thicknesses So that: Max thickness is 0.25 cm radius and the min thicknes is 0.15 cm radius. TThe whole fabrication process will take 15 hrs and 36 mins
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Final Fabrication Results
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FINAL MODEL
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Material Exploration ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2020
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FABRIC FORMWORK????
HISTORY & BACKGROUND
“START OF THE QUARANTINE”
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Fabric formwork is a building technology that involves the use of structural membranes as the main facing material for concrete moulds. Unlike traditional formwork, the material is highly flexible and can deflect under the pressure. This was my first time introduction to this topic so i first had to read about its evolution, uses, its different techniques and application. I can tell that this phase was a way out from all the panic i was living in this pandemic
Let’s first learn about HISTORY !! STEP 1: Roman Times
I understood that it was mainly used for engineering purposes, in creating two retaining walls that are filled with clay in woven reed baskets.
STEP 2: Gustav Lilienthal (1849–1933)
Then they used it in the construction of a fabric-formed suspended floor This was done using impermeable fabric over parallel beams, on top of wire netting.
STEP 3: A Ctesiphon shell under construction
Building shells using parallel falsework arches and allowing the fabric to sag in between to form corrugations
STEP 4: Miguel Fisac (1913–2006)
Using smooth and flexible polyethylene hanging from a rigid structure as a formwork, so the weight of this soft material gives to the concrete when poured its shake and texture.
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HISTORY & BACKGROUND 28
HISTORY
MODERN DAYS
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making !
“lets learn more about formwork�
CONCEPT APPROACH
Tensile Formwork Offers creativity, flexibility and strength
Offers Vareity of materials such as woven fabric geotextile, non-woven geotextile & nylon fabric
Casting Process... This was impressive process for me 1- use of a robotic arm to cut and unroll the material. 2- Pouring concrete to form the shape. 3- Two membranes are sewed together to form the thickness 4- removal of the support formwork To control thickness and can be able to shape the form easily then leave it to set. 5- Attaching the membrane to polywoods or steel cables.
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“Another technique cause why not!�
Pneumatic structures
Learning another application similar to the tensile membrane but this time using inflatables as a rubber fabric and cement gun with concrete mixed at the nozzle
learning the difference between both techniques in terms of casting process, materials use and model formation was very crucial at this stage before experimenting . The main difference was in the casing mechnaisms, where the first method fills the fabric with the gypsum of the casting material, however in the second method the casting material is sprayed or covered over the fabric
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Concluding from the previous concepts that i was inspired from, i conducted few experiments with different materials to see the results and come up with an idea that can help me with the next facade design phase.
EXPERIMENT 1
EXPERIMENTATION
Materials used:
Procedure and formation steps STEP 1:
The choice of wires as a base material is due to its strength as well as the flexibility is design.
The first step was to shape the wire with a non-unoform shape or more abstracted shape to create a 3d and dynamic shape.
STEP 2: The second step was to wrap the nylon stocking on the abstracted wires.
The cover material is nylon so that it can flexibly be wraped around the shapes wires.
STEP 3: The third and final step was to prepare the gyspum by adding the gypsum powder to water then covering the model with the gypsum mixture.
Gypsum material that covers the whole model.
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EXPERIMENTATION
Final results
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Conclusion In this first trial, as i said before idid an abstract shape with the wires, which its main intention is to create a 3d form insted of a 2d shape. Then covered it with the nylon stocking as its an elastic materials that gives a sleek cover for the wires! The combination between the wires and the nylon gave the flexibility to shape the model flexibily. The problem with this model is that it didnt achieve much of the intended 3d shape.
The formwork technique used in this experiment was the “Pneumatic structures� as the gypsum was added on top of the model not filling the model with the material. ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2020
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EXPERIMENT 2 Materials used: The choice of wires as a base material is due to its strength as well as the flexibility is design. Gypsum material that covers the whole model.
Using the cotton cloth in this tiral with the aim that i will give a smooth texture as the nylon stocking,
Procedure and formation steps
The first step is to form the rectangular base, and then using the edges of the rectable in forming the heigth of the model. Then forming the rectangular top that is attached to the twisted side. I just did this model for material testing not for the model formation. The third and final step was to cover the wires with the cotton cloth and then prepare the gyspum by adding the gypsum powder to water then covering the model with the gypsum mixture.
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Conclusion Failure! In the second trial, i used the cloth to try a new material that is not elastic or flexible to test the connection between different materials and the wires. However the model failed as the cloth didnt get attached to the wires with allowed air to enter and the shape was ruined.
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EXPERIMENT 3 “FINAL� Model Formation Inspiration After several research ans seeing how to use the wires in an abstract 3d form that also can help in light and ventelation penetration into the building. Then i reached the parametric deign concept, which hepled me alot in the design process to have like portable and flexible panels that can be used on all of the facade side, they can be opened or closed depending on the amount of light penetration that is required.
Materials used: The choice of wires as a base material is due to its strength as well as the flexibility is design.
The aluminum foil has a different texture than the nylon and cloth material.
Gypsum material that covers the whole model.
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Procedure and formation steps STEP 1:
STEP 4: First i started by doing the base for the panel and using the edges to twist them upwardly to give the panel the 3D factor.
STEP 2: Second step is to apply the triangles to each side of the rectangular model.
The third and final step was to cover the wires with the aluminum foil and then prepare the gyspum by adding the gypsum powder to water then covering the model with the gypsum mixture.
STEP 3: Using the wires as shown can shape the wires flexibly and whether to open those panels of to close them
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In this trial i used the aluminum foil to cover the model as its a flexible material, but at the same time it has a rough texture so I can have a different end result other than the sleektexture of the nylon stocking.
Also after applying the material i shaped the wires to the shape i want depending on the facade itself.
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EXPERIMENTATION
CONCLUSION
Designing in the future.
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I actually was very convienced with the ides of the of this model, however using these triangular panels can be designed differently. Beside being opened and closed flexibly, there can also be multilpied and to have a more dynamic shape and structure.
Other than having the triangular panels multiplied, they can also be spread apart to create a void in the middle on the model to create a completely different shape and different light penetration pattern. So these triangular shouldnt necessarily meet in the middle at one point, but they can be spread apart. Also playing with the materials can also vary along the facade, where the aluminum foil can be used for a rough texture that has bumps to give a more 3D effect on the triangular panels, or using the nylon stocking to have a sleek and smooth texture.
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Parametric facade Design ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2020
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PARAMETRIC DESIGN
Phase 1 Continuation
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Adaptive skin approach The adaptive building skins can adapt to the weather conditions and provide the interior of building with suitable weather. It is an environmentally friendly technique as it reduces the energy consumption of the building. It provides the building with elastic and dynamic facade due to its geometry, so it increases the flexibility in design.
Panelling Approach: 1- Dynamic 2- Enviromental 3- Functional
1- Dynamic
2- Enviromental
3- Functional
The DSF can have a flowy structure on the building facade instead of having just another rigid facade in front of the original one.
Having the panelling mechanism that vary from the south to the south west facade depending on the sun’s radiation.
Creating indoor spaces or terraces so that the DSF can have a function and be usable.
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Inspirations Why these buildings inspired? These buildings were mainly highlighting the isea of having a panelled facade whether infront of the original facade as a double skin one, just as our project, or this facade can be the original skin for the building. What makes these facades special is their dynamic and flexible approach. Analysing those building, the panelling effect can create a variety in the facade design just by thier rotation or motion.
Taking them to another level... The panels that i want to create are based on the facade’s orientation do that the openess and closure of the panel can have a functional and enviromental effect on the interior spaces of the building.
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SITE LOCATION
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BLOOM BANK, NEW CAIRO The building that we are designing the facade for is Bloom Bank in New Cairo. The building is overlooking the Southern 90 Road. The main facade elevation is south-southwestern facade and is covered with curtain wall.
The building that we are designing the facade for is Bloom Bank in New Cairo. The building is overlooking the Southern 90 Road. The main facade elevation is south-southwestern facade and is covered with curtain wall. Chapter name
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HAVING THE ENVIROMENTAL ANALYSIS AS AN ATTRACTOR WIND DIRECTION
The primary prevailing wind direction is north-east and secondary prevailing wind is north-west. Strong wind comes from the south-west direction, which provides opportunity for airflow but at the same time it should be double skin facade to prevent strong winds
SUN SHADING
The sun shading required from June till December from sunrise till sunset. The sun shading required from January till June is only from 12pm till sunset. The building is facing south and south west facade which is exposed to sunlight almost all day long, which requires shading. The double skin facade in this direction is crucial to protect the building from the sun’s radiation during the summer time and also the western wind. ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2020
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PROCESS OF DESIGN DEVELOPMENT 1
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Use of different panells As mentioned before the main intiative of using panels was having a dynamic and diverse facade, therefore the idea of having different panels can help in that. Inaddition to having several functions to each panel size
LARGER PANELS WEST
SOUTH
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The panel larger panels are in the areas where more light and ventilation is required
SMALLER PANELS The panel reduction is mainly used in the offices areas
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FUNCTIONAL USE OF INTERIOR SPACES Meeting room Office Office Office
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Meeting room Office Staff Lounge Terrace Foodcourt
Office Staff Lounge
Section 1-1 Office Staff Lounge Office Office Office
Section 2-2 Foodcourt Office Terrace Office Office
The different functional use in each external space added is based on the facade orientation inorder to maximize the amount of wind throughout the west facade and maximize the shading thoughout the whole facade especially in the southern direction The use of double height to allow more air inflow in the inner spaces The recessions and protursions of the DCF is designed to create self shading effect on the lower floors to make it more comfortable for the user. Therefore the upper floors are more protruded to the outside.
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SURFACE CREATION Step 1
DESIGN PROCESS
First step was to create the surface and identify the point where i need extursion by evaluating the surface.
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Step 2 Then i divided the surface into 17 U and V points along the whole surface. and connected all of these points to rich graph mapper to give the surface’s curvature.
Step 3 Then connecting all of these divided points by interpolate curve then loft to create the extruded curve.
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PANELLING CREATION Step 6
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Connecting all the points of the panels and the sub-division and merged them into one surface. Then extruding all the panels and their sub-division to create the facade.
Step 5 Then i sub -divided the panels according to the use of the space behind in refrence to two points then used the random divider to give more an abstarct adn irregular form.
Step 4 I then divided the surface into 7 horizontal panels and 20 vertical panels
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I used the sun as an attractor for the panelling opening and closing. so that the south the panels can be mosly closed, then starts opening to the west side Portfolio
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DESIGN PROCESS 50
This is showing the panel that can close and open how it is operation from the south till the west. In the southern facade the rotated panel is more closed and protecting the facade. However in the western side the panels open to allow more air inflow.
To give the facade extra structural support, the panel boundaries are given thickness like a pipe that can hold the flexible, elastic material.
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GRASSHOPPER DEFINISION
Step 1
Step 3 Step 2
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Step
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DESIGN PROCESS 52
Step 6
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Highlighting the panel design
FACADE ANALYSIS
Southern panels
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The frame of the panels is shown as a metal material . The upper triangle in the panel is glass to allow for the sun’s penetration, however those triangles are completely shut and taking the least surface area from the whole panel. The right and the lower sides in the panel are covered with flexible nylon material with a light color to decrease from the heat transfer. They also are divided into triangulated decorative patern to increase the dynamuc effect on the facade
The left triangle in the panel is the one that rotates according to the sun’s direction, so in the southern facade is closes and its covered with the same nylon material, however i just changes the color to make it more vivid than the other panels. Therefore as this is a southern facade it’s taking a large space from the panel and is closed.
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Western panels The bottom and left sides of the panels are the same as the south however, they decrease in size, to allow the other sides of the panels that are responsible for the air inflow to conquer more space in each panel. The right side of the panel is the rotated nylon material and its shown that it opens up in hte western facade unlike the south.
The upper triangle in the panel is glass in the western directions its conquering a major part of the panel. It is also rotated 30 degress to allow for air inflow.
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The vertical facade recessions and protrusion increases from the shaded area for the most of the facade
Southern Section Portfolio
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FACADE ANALYSIS
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In the western facade the area is increases in order to increase the air inflow throughout the building, also creating a double height to provide the social space with more spacious qualities
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Building Plans’ Layout
The difference in the plan layout expresses the funtionality of the area. So when the use requires the slab extension and open air use, the plan is more opened. however, when the use was for offices it recceses to the inside to provide more shading
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FACADE ANALYSIS 58
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FINAL MODEL
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Bibliography https://upcommons.upc.edu/bitstream/handle/2117/11607/Paper_Sofia_2010.pdf;jsessionid=512009A3243ADB61C38FB0287DFD830B?sequence=1 https://architizer.com/blog/inspiration/collections/parametrically-designed-metal-facades/ https://www.mgsarchitecture.in/building-materials-products/facades/952-parametrically-designed-facades-for-climatic-adaptability.html
https://www.archdaily.com/922897/how-do-double-skin-facades-work https://study.com/academy/lesson/double-skin-fa-ade-system-materials-advantages-examples.html https://www.glassonweb.com/article/evaluating-use-double-skin-facade-systems-sustainable-development http://www.michael-hansmeyer.com/l-systems https://study.com/academy/lesson/double-skin-fa-ade-system-materials-advantages-examples.html
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ŠAll rights reserved, American University in Cairo (AUC) May 2020 ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2020
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