Shahd Abdelaziz- 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: Shahd Aly Student ID: 900183492

© The American University in Cairo (AUC), May 2019

Shahd Aly Architecture Student

my name is Shahd Aly. I am an Architecture Engineering student, cancer fighter and cooking lover Ever-since I was a child, I knew I wanted to be an architect when I grow up because of how facinated I was by the fact that architects turn their thoughts and art and imaginations into real-life buildings that people can actually use!

This course is a very interesting yet challenging for me, one aspect I truly like about it is how there are endless possibilities for everything as long we explore it! it has taught me to allow myself to experiment and not stick or constraint myself with a single idea and see what my options are.However, since the design software were new to me, it was a bit challenging to learn the com-

mands and explore the options the tools offer, but at the end, knowing how much you don’t know and finding out how much there is to explore is a very essential part of the learning journey that never ends

Learning from materiality and turning the process into parameters that translate to a panel

Research conclusion

The use of molds when casting concrete has been used world-widely for the last century. Molding in general allows for flexible and custom shapes One of its main advantages is being able to control the parameters and resulting texture which allows for creating various elements in multi disciplines such as structural forms, furniture or abstract art

In addition, the use of fabric in concrete forming has been rising in recent times due to the flexibility and smoothness of fabrics and its organic shapes that make it easier to create organic shapes

Mastering such techniques could allow for endless possibilities of creations which I mainly aim to attempt in this assignment

Attempt 1

The idea was to create a wire form similar to springs and experiment with forming fabric on it to create a textured effect

Ratio

1.5: 1

Reflection

-the fabric is generally very easy to work with and create interesting volumes

-Using a skeleton for fabric structure is a must

-The results are not very similar to plans so protoyping is a must

Steps

The formwork of wires was first formed then a fabric dipped in gypsum was added to form the shape

Attempt 2

The idea was to create a stepping shape that had a bubbly texture

Reflection

plastic wrap doesn’t prevent it from sticking+ when the form is constructed inside a full size of box it makes it harder

The formwork

Method 1: casting with a hollow bottle

Reflection

- Surprisingly it was actually very easy to unmold

The process of pattern creation here is actually harder

- removing the bottle inside is almost impossible

- Lesson learnt: find new materials for texturing and maybe use glossier paper for better results

Look for a new material to make a hollow effect

Method 2: using plastic bottle as a formwork and glue gun for texture

Reflection

- The formwork is interesting and could be tweaked in a variety of ways

- A bit hard to umold

- The plastic melts when using glue gun so an alternative is needed

Lesson learnt: to leave room for unmolding and - maybe ad support inside the column itself

Attempt 5

The idea was to create a wire form similar to springs and experiment with forming fabric on it to create a textured effect

Ratio

1: 1

Reflection

-the fabric is generally very easy to work with and create interesting volumes

-Using a skeleton for fabric structure is a must

-The results are not very similar to plans so protoyping is a must

Steps

Attempt 6

The idea was to create a wire form similar to springs and experiment Ratio

1: 1 Reflection

-the fabric is generally very easy to work with and create interesting volumes

-Using a skeleton for fabric structure is a must

-The results are not very similar to

Transition to digital workflow

Initial workflow

Reflection on previous process :

- the overall shape didn’t allow for a lot of variations

- adding wave patterns using metaballs would create a more interesting outcome - simplifying the shape into two interlocking spheres only will help with diversifying the clusters

Forming the panel

Same panel, endless possibilities

1. selected panel dynamic but uniform at the same time varied charges+ radii

Reducing uniformity of layers to creating melting effect

playing with Radii

changing points distance and planes

changing number of layers to differ fullness of spheres

Cluster possibilities

increased points and curve array

Box Array but more condensed Array along curve

polar array

Increased points and reduced charge to create gaps

Reflection old panel new panel

this process has taught me to explore without confining myself with expectations. at the beginning I was limiting myself to a very specific shape that made everything at the end very static, but after leaving myself to try the results were more interesting

Exploring transitioning panels into facades

Al-bahar tower/ aedas

The facade structure is inspired by mashrabiya and is mainly designed to be responsive to daylight and night using a kinetic mechanism

It mainly opens and closes once a day to avoid direct sunligh

It is estimated that such a screen will reducing solar gain by more than 50 percent, and reduce the building’s need for energy-draining air conditio-

Climate analysis

A Shift in Ideas

Grasshopper definition

VR experience

Environmental Analysis

Reflection on Environmental analysis and VR

1. although the shading is sufficient, the surface turned out to be very thick and bulky which is not desirable and the spacing was very small

2. the wave effect is not really as clear so curves had to be tweaked to exaggerate this effect

Interior Shot

Exterior

Fabrication

In the first attempt, the model was completely vertical taking 14 hours. however, as the model was flipped horizontally it took less and less time reaching the best time fr it at 9 hours

Final Course Reflection

As I worked on this storybook, I have realized that the one main theme during this semester for me was exploration and looking at the work with a reflective eye. Throughout both projects, I have gone through a process of looking at my work and really analyzing it which has led me to major changes all the time and exploring new approaches. Although I believe that there was for sure an area for development, I am very happy with the journey of exploration I have been through in this course since day1

Biblography

• https://www.archdaily.com/922897/how-do-doubleskin-facades-work

•

• https://www.archdaily.com/270592/al-bahar-towers-responsive-facade-aedas

• • https://www.architonic.com/en/project/ernst-giselbrecht-partner-dynamic-facade-kiefer-technic-showroom/5100449

• • http://www.jeannouvel.com/en/projects/doha-9-high-rise-office-tower/#:~:text=The%20Doha%20 Tower%20is%20a,uses%20a%20double%20skin%20 system.

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