digital portfolio

D P M 2 D I G I T A L P O R T F O L I O A R I E F

A H M A D

A F A N D I

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I N TR O D U C T I O N This portfolio shows my works on the first project in the 2011 Autumn term at Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University. Here I would like to say that my works are merely theoretical rather definite. With every images, I included some writings to describe my thoughts at the time ; you might find some ‘misuse’ words that i use to describe a content; just like a picture that inspires an imagination, words too ignite my imagination.

C O N T E N T The Inital Thoughts.....................................................................................2 The Form-finding Process...........................................................................6 The Site Analysis............................................................................................14 The Design Process......................................................................................20 The Digital Perspective Drawings...........................................................44

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D I G I T A L I M A G E P R O C E S S I N G This is a concept image for the housing project.

It is a quite literal portrayal to the idea of ecocentrism rather anthropocentric nor technocentric ; the harmony symbiosis between the nature and the human, rather making statement of the technology, the promise of the future or the avantgarde style. The interior sheltered the human and the exterior greets the nature; pays the deep respect to the land that it borrows and to the past.

As a designer, I always wondering what kind of style and what kind of architecture that we shall build? From my humble point of view, what makes a successful architecture is how happy and pleasant the dwellers are after the architecture was dwelled, regardless the avant-garde architectural style or breath-taking structural construction. A piece of architecture should be embodied with philosophies and embroidered with thoughts for the habitation. This means breaking the veil between design and anthropometric philosophies. I, myself have poor knowledge to be implemented into my design and have week my architectural design skill, and it will always stay there. But at this point, this is the vision that I picked up alongside with many others along this endeavour.

Image: Photoshop rendering

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T H E F O R M - F I N D I N G P R O C E S S

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M A T E R I A L E C O N O M Y : T U R T L E S H E L L For this group work, we chose the idea of material economy by looking at turtle shell. The shell itself is incredibly thin, yet strong.

Double curvature gives greater strength and stiffness for a given investment of material.

Maximization of internal volume for a given surface compounds the material economy-for that nothing beats a sphere, and a slight egg-shapedness (spheroidicity) doesn’t make things much worse...

3 D S M A X M O D E L S We then experimented the geometry with the 3DS MAX software to get more concise idea about the general geometry and form.

The two images of left hand side shows our experiment with the parametric, where we played around with the ‘bumpiness’ of the shell, inspired by the variation of the tortoise shell itself.

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T H E G E O M E T R I E S Flat hexagons will only interlock in a flat plane; they cannot be combined to enclose a space, as can the triangles that constitute the tetrahedron. Where hexagons do occur on curved surfaces‌there are always some other shapes and angles inserted to compensate for the curvature. The same is true of the tortoise’s shell, where remarkably regular hexagons in the centre are bounded by pentagons (fivesided shapes) which fuse to give a straight edge to the shell.�(Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:32)

At this stage of the experimentation, we were interested to investigate the interlocking pentagons and hexagons of the shell. Hence, we created the paper models based on the regular hexagons and pentagons and the irregular hexagons and pentagons. We then observed the curvature they created.

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T H E M O D E L D E M O N S T R A T I O N The idea of the shell is these hexagons and pentagons will push each other as it matures. We use this idea and demonstrate it through a model, where we filled in plaster of paris into small balloons and we squeezed them together in box, to see the natural geometry they created after pushing against each other naturally, just like the shell. The image on the right hand side is the process and the image on the left is the result.

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V O R O N O I A L G O R I T H M From the research, we discovered an algorithm that explains the geometry of the turtle shell. I concluded the form-finding process by this algorithm, where I will design the housing based on the voronoi algorithm.

V O R O N O I A L G O R I T H M T H E N A T U R E

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In mathematics, a Voronoi diagram is a special kind of decomposition of a given space, e.g., a metric space, determined by distances to a specified family of objects (subsets) in the space. These objects are usually called the sites or the generators (but other names such as “seeds� are in use) and to each such an object one associates a corresponding Voronoi cell, namely the set of all points in the given space whose distance to the given object is not greater than their distance to the other objects. Imagine you have a map over a city with n cell phone masts. A cell phone always connects to the closest mast, so you’d like to split up the city in zones, where each zone has exactly one cell phone mast and each location inside such a zone is closest to the cell phone mast found in the same zone. Voronoi diagrams can be found in a large number of fields in science and technology, even in art, and they have found numerous practical and theoretical applications

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P R E C E D E N T F O R V O R O N O I I N A R C H I T E C U R E Vertical Village by Yushang Zhang, Rajiv Sewtahal, Riemer Postma & Qianqian Cai The structure is based on the 3D Voronoi algorithmic system, which can translate the relation of points into interfaces to divide a certain volume into individual cells. The idea was if every cell is owned by one family, by changing the positions of points, they created various 3D individual domains.

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T H E

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A N A L Y S I S

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S I T E : C E N T R A L C A R D I F F We chose Central Cardiff to be our site, where the site located next to the Cardiff International Arena and next to the St. David’s Mall. It is located in the urban area and we did a site analysis to get the better understanding the site and its context.

S U N D I A G R A M A N A L Y S I S We use Ecotect software to get the data about the site.

We built the site and the neighbouring buildings and investigate the shadow formed on the site and the amount of sunlight received by the site annually.

The four sun diagrams shows the annual shadow formed on the site, and each represents the data at different spot around the site.

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Again, we use the Ecotect software to get the data on the annual and monthly wind performance on the site.

From the wind-rose diagrams, the prevailing wind comes from the north-easterly and from the south-westerly direction. This is a crucial data that is needed to be implemented into the design, to protect the inhabitation from the wind.

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M A T E R I A L P A L E T T E M A P Through this map, we attempted to portray the material palette of the neighbouring buildings around the site, and implement the material coherency into our design later on.

In this site, we could conclude that two main materials used are bricks and stones in the old buildings as well the Cardiff International Arena, and concrete and steel in the new buildings, especially around the St. Davids Mall area.

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A M E N I T I E S M A P Through this map, I attempted to show the locations of the amenities in connection without the site ( which I marked as red). It is a way for me to understand the connectivity and the locations of the amenities in relation to the site, hence responded to these datas in the design process. These datas dictating the allocations of the main entrances and how the dwellers will move about in the site.

Distribution of offices

Green areas

Distribution of retails/leisure areas

Distribution of hotels and resdentials

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D E S I G N

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C O M P A R A T I V E

B O A R D

1. I started to map the points on the circumference of the site where each points represents the centre of a space, and the points are mapped with 5000mm gap. The result created a branching ‘spine’ that runs through the site. I interpret this branching spine as main route across the site. 2. I, then mapped the points on the ‘branching spine’ created from the first image with 5000mm gap. The results created 3 centres and created centralised units. I interpret these centres as courtyards and potentially could be the heart of the housing units. 3. In order to create a more centralised housing units, I tried to connect these 3 ‘courtyards’ together by shortening the length of the spine that connect them together while maintaining the angle of the branches.

It resulted more centralised units where the centralised courtyards are more defined. But there is no route that connect these courtyards together, as if they were different separated courtyards. 4. Next, I mapped the points along the ‘branching spine’ and on the circumference of the site It resulted a juxtaposition of units next to each other, but yet centralised about the 3 courtyards. It started to define the housing units, interior spaces and exterior spaces. 5. As the three courtyards are still separated, I brought them closer while maintaining the angle of the branches. It created a bigger courtyards and more centralised housing units. 6. I combined the mapped points along the branches from figure 5 with the points along the circumference of the site. It created a centralised units and it created ‘routes’ into the centralised courtyard 7.

I then mapped the dots along the routes toward the centralised courtyard created from figure 6. It created a more regular units , creating a finger-like form which is centralised with respect to the centralised courtyard. The creation of spaces between these rows of houses could be a communal space and the dwellers could meet with each other. 8. As I have got the general form of the master plan based on voronoi algorithm, I started to mould it be an architecture by responding to the natural parameters.. Diagram 8 shows the general shadows range that falls onto the site during summer and my design response to it. As for the wintertime, the whole site is shaded by the neighbouring skyscrapers. As for the optimum performance, I started to locate most of the housing units on the southern side of the site as they will receive the most sunlight within the context.

9. I started to extrude and play with the general massing 3-dimensionally. I filled in the spaces between houses with green spaces that potentially could be the communal areas. 10. I lifted the whole housing units and the communal garden up a level to allow the public walk through the site and becoming the public retail area on the ground level. The roof garden on top could be the communal spaces for the residents, and could be the public park. 11. Further response to the natural parameters, I created the stepping up green area ( roof garden) and housing units , where the highest point is on the northerly side of the site and the

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M A S S I N G

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These are my 1:500 massing models of the masterplan based on the voronoi algorithm.

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T E C T O N I C B O A R D For this assignment, I was interested to investigate the experimental form rather analytical. I decided to create a screen for the facade of my housing proposal.

In the 3DS Max, I modelled the form using the ‘lattice’ method by creating line geometries and using ‘edit poly’ modifier to change the ‘inset’ parameter

The 3DS MAX digital model

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5 layers of line drawing sent to the laser cutter for the fabrication

The physical model of the form using stacking-up method.

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T E C T O N I C The drawing that attempted to show on the levels arrangement and the tectonic we arranged in the scheme. The scheme are composed of different building blocks that connected with the ramp platforms that became the roof garden ( coloured green) Pen sketches with Photoshop rendering

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R O O F G A R D E N S The drawing that attempted to show on the levels arrangement and the tectonic we arranged in the scheme. The scheme are composed of different building blocks that connected with the ramp platforms that became the roof garden ( coloured green) Pen sketches with Photoshop rendering

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P U B L I C A N D P R I V A T E A C C E S S I B I L I T Y diagram show the public accessibility (blue lines) and private accessibility (red lines). The public could walk through the green area on the second level and walk in front of the houses, where each houses has their front door on the second level to receive guests.

Diagram

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showing

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accessibility

Diagram 2: showing private residence accessibility through the private indoor corridor on the first level. This level could be accessed from the carpark via the lobby.

Diagram 3: showing private residence accessibility through the roof garden on the second floor to their front garden and to their front door.

CAD line drawing with photoshop rendering

Diagram 1

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Diagram 2

Diagram 3

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F L O O R

A R R A N G E M E N T

The series of photographs of the model attempted to show on how every level of the scheme is arranged. 1. showing the underground carpark. 2. The ground level showing t private residence level where this level is only accessible by the lobby. 4. The ‘roof garden’ where The public could walk through the green area on the second level and walk in the second level to receive guests.

Physical Modelling

Underground carpark

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Ground Floor

the retail area where there are series of retail units with central green courtyard. 3. The n front of the houses, where each houses has their front door on

First Floor

Second Floor

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ong section that cuts through the houses and the retail units on the ground level. I attempted to show the interior spaces of the houses, where the interior walls are limewash finished.

3DS MAX model with photoshop rendering

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Long section that cuts through the middle courtyard. In this drawing, I attempted to show the levels and how the trees grow in the middle of the courtyard. Here also I attempted to show the materiality of the building, where the outside walls are stone wall and lime wash finishing for the interior walls.

3DS MAX model with photoshop rendering

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Long section that cuts through the houses. I attempted to show the interior spaces of the houses, where the interior walls are limewash finished.

3DS MAX model with photoshop rendering

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C R O S S

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Cross section drawing that cuts through the public/private staircase that connects the retail area on ground level all the way to the second level. The staircase is designed that way with the idea to invite the public to the second level without entering the first level (private residence space) 3DS model with photoshop rendering

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Long section that cuts through the middle courtyard. In this drawing, I attempted to show the levels and how the trees grow in the middle of the courtyard.

3DS MAX model with photoshop rendering

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P I C T U R E S F R O M T H E M O D E L These are some of the closeed-up pictures of the 1:200 the masterplan model to get the better understanding. The red tape with the model represents the residences accessibility and the blue tape represents the public accessibility.

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The ground floor level of the 3 bedrooms unit house. On this level there is kitchen and leisure space/or perhaps could be the working space. There is a direct access to the private outside garden. The pen drawing on the left hand side attempted to show the inhabitation and impression on how the space might be inhabited and the image on the right hand side attempted to show the space in the physical sense.

Ink pen drawing with photoshop rendering, physical modelling

F I R S T

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The first floor level of the 3 bedrooms unit house. On this l bathroom and toilet. The dwellers could access this floor by t Hence, the idea was the dwellers could go to the bedroom through the whole house tot get to the bedroom after lo left hand side attempted to show the inhabitation and imp habited and the image on the right hand side attempted to

Ink pen drawing with photoshop rendering, physical modelling

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level there are 2 bedrooms with shared the private indoor corridor via the lobby. m straightaway without annoyingly walk ong tiring day. The pen drawing on the pression on how the space might be ino show the space in the physical sense.

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The second floor level of the 3 bedrooms unit house. On this level there is a bedroom and living area with the ‘front door’ with the front garden that open up to the roof garden on the second level. The residence could receive guests and receive mails from the postmen via their front door. The idea by having this was to evoke the idea of living in countryside rather typical urban housing. The pen drawing on the left hand side attempted to show the inhabitation and impression on how the space might be inhabited and the image on the right hand side attempted to show the space in the physical sense.

Ink pen drawing with photoshop rendering, physical modelling

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E N E R G Y C O N S U M P T I O N A N A L Y S I S Using the Ecotect software, I created two zones where each zones represents each function of the area.

There are sliding doors to allow access to the outside and glass panels to maximise the natural light into the space. In term of the material, I used double brick wall with air gap and wool insulation, and single glazing for the sliding doors and glass panels In term of heating load, I use the mechanical heating system only to see the initial room performance. I calculated the heat gain for different zone with respect to the function. The power consumption and living area consumption for living area and kitchen are: Vacuum Cleaner- 200-700W light bulb:60W laptop computer: 20-50W bulb: 120W TV(19’’ colour) : 70 W toaster :800-1500W dishwasher:2000W total: 400W fridge/freez:er:500W floor area: 32m^2 electric ketle:2000W total: 5280W floor area 20m^2

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These are the heating and cooling load analysis of a housing unit which was done using Ecotect software. This helps me to understand the energy consumption of a housing unit of the scheme.

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T H E D I G I T A L D R A W I N G S

P E R S P E C T I V E

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N O R T H P E R S P E C T I V E Perspective drawing showing how the scheme connects to the Northern part of the site.

Image: 3DS MAX modelling, photo collage with Google Earth images and rendered with Photoshop.

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S O U T H E L E V A T I O N Elevation drawing to demonstrate on how the scheme was imagined to connect to the neighbouring buildings.

Image: 3DS MAX modelling, photo collage with Google Earth images and rendered with Photoshop.

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S O U T H P E R S P E C T I V E Perspective drawing showing how the scheme connects to the southern part of the site which connects to the existing green courtyard of St. David’s shopping mall.

Image: 3DS MAX modelling, photo collage with Google Earth images and rendered with Photoshop.

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I N T E R I O R P E R S P E C T I V E The drawing shows a perspective showing on how the retail space on the ground level was imagined like. The idea was to evoke the ‘arcade’ atmosphere and deluged with natural light by having central green courtyard.

Image: 3DS MAX modelling, photo collage with Google Earth images and rendered with Photoshop.

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A R I E F

A H M A D

A F A N D I

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