DNA Architects Computational Design Selected Portfolio

Contact Detail:

Email: DNA.architectts@gmail.com

Site: http://dnaarchitects.tilda.ws/

Linkedin: DNA Architects

Phone: +989374818989

Loc: Tehran, Iran

Donya Rahbari

Education:

M.Sc. in Architectural Technology – Digital Architecture, Tehran University, 2019-2023

B.Sc. in Architectural Engineering, Science & Culture University, 2014-2018

Nahal Doosti

Education:

M.Sc. in Architectural Technology – Digital Architecture, Tehran University, 2019-2023

B.Sc. in Architectural Engineering, Shariati University, 2014-2018

AmirMohammad Azizi

Education:

M.Sc. in Architectural Technology–BionicArchitecture, Shahid Beheshti University, 2018-2021

B.Sc. in Architectural Engineering, Zanjan University, 2012-2017

About us:

We are a group of recently graduated master’s students in architecture Technology who have gathered and worked for 4 years on different research-based and professional projects. In all these years we experienced competitions, workshops, residential projects, and even furniture designs. We believe that architecture is a way to improve lives. We try to use all the new technology and software to design creative, comfortable, and efficient spaces.

Experiences:

Bamboo-Bam, Workshop, 2021

Counstruction Workshop

-Virginia Tech & University of Art, Tehran, IranDigital Digital Fabrication, Workshop, 2020

Online Course

-Kent State University, Kent, USAKinectoscapes -DigitalFutures-, Workshop, 2021

Online Course

-Washington University, Washington, USA

Achievements:

Special Mention Winner in best project of public Building or facility by GoldenTrezzini Awards

- 2021

Honorable Mention Container City UNI.xyz Competition - 2020

First Place among participants in “Digital Digital Fabrication workshop held by Kent State University in collaboration with Tehran university of Art

- 2020

Professional Experience:

Architectural Designer, Remote, 2020-2022

Drafting, 3D Modeling, Rendering & Presenting

-Iman Amini Architects, California, USA-

Architectural Designer, 2020-2021

3D Modeling, Rendering, presenting

-Admun, Tehran, Iran

Fabrication Skills:

3d print with cura software

Digital Fabrication stimulation with Kuka robots

Laser Cutting

Competencies/skills:

• Rhino

• Grasshopper

• Python

• Autocad

• Revit

• 3Dmax

• Lumion

• Vray

• Enscape

• Photoshop

• Indesign

• Premiere Pro

• Illustrator

Contents

2020

Boundry,“Arobot’s dream”

2020 CubecellTower

-Three observation points & a visitors’ center1 - 6

2020 Gecon

-Designing a modular lifestyle for students7 - 12

-A Platform for storytelling & a short hybrid animation17 - 18

-Designing a tower in Tehran using cellular automata22 - 25

2020 Ipogami

-Compliant kinetic panel29 - 32

2021

Bamboo-bam

-A free form space structure13 - 16

2019 Robotism

-Digital design and robotic fabrication workshop19 - 21

-Portable showroom26 - 28

2021

WWFObservation Cabins

2019 AudiShowroom

Type:

Year:

WWF Observation Cabins

-Three observation points & a visitors’ center-

competition - Public Building

may 2021 - june 2021

Location:

Area:

Lagoon of Orbetello, Italy

950 m²

Special Mention Winner in best Project of Public Building or Facility By Golden Trezzini Awards

Status:

Architects:

DNA Group, Gelareh Saneyi

Brief:

In this project, we were supposed to design three different types of observation points (located on the ground, at water level, and a raised observation point), dedicated to the observation of the lagoon fauna by professionals and visitors, and a visitors’ center. The site of the project was located in the lagoon of Orbetello, an amazing environment rich in different flora and fauna. We designed the project considering different circumstances. The main concept of the project was maximum adaptation with the surrounding nature.

Contributation to the project:

Idea Development

Modeling: Rhinoceros 7.0

Rendering: Enscape 3.3 & Lumion 11

Presentation: Photoshop 2021

Visitors' CenterWater Observation Point

WatchtowerWatch Hut

Visitors’ Center

The visitors’ center was supposed to be positioned backward from the observation points. Suppportive services had to be accommodated in these two buildings. In the facade, we used recycled and reused terracotta shingles which were used in roofs of houses in Orbetello for solid parts of the facade, and polycarbonate sheets for transparent parts of the facade to integrated our design with sustainability and reduce the impacts of construction on the en Ocean

Lagoon

Land

2. Simple form with 30 degrees rotation toward the lagoon

3. Basic forms of visitors' center 4. inside & outside connection view with mobius strip

5. Using waves in the facade inspired by the incremental wave from land to lagoon and the ocean

1. Inspiration from gable roof houses in Orbetello

Terracotta shingles

Polycarbonate

Training center

Exhibition

Ticket office

Void

Bookshop

Watchtower

This traditional watchtower was supposed to be at maximum of 2 aboveground floors, and the structure had to enable the observation of maximum of 5 people at a time on each floor. In this watchtower, the

choice of materials & architecture promotes spatial and local consciousness. Using semi-prefabricated methods and sustainable and locally available materials were the goal of this project.

Straw roof cover Wooden frame

Cork cover panels

Natural wooden columns Short wooden beam Wooden deck Wooden foundation

Opening some windows with the force of bird's weight.

1. The traditional form & 360 degrees view

2. Mixing forms

3. Softening edges

4. Final plan

Requirements for designing such a fixed or floating structure included ensuring observation of the lagoon from the level of water, which is the least traditional typology since the height of the observation window was supposed to be a maximum of 30 cm above the ground. The structure had to be waterproofed and allow the observation of maximum 5 people at a time. We used Gabion walls for the structure and used stones to show Tuscany architecture which was based on what could be sourced locally.

Cork panels

Roof wooden structural beams

Compressive ring

Gabion wall (use of old & used rebars in cage) Sliding observation windows

Interior space of the observation point Piling in water

Wooden grid

1. Inspiried from the Spanish mill in the site

2. making an icon in respect of the site

3.Sky view and natural light

6.Seprate Pathes for normal & disabled people

5. Gabion walls local materials

4. 360’ lagoon view

This traditional watch hut had to be located at ground level on one floor. In designing the watch hut, we tried to take advantage of the interaction of children with nature. Fostering a connection

to nature is one of the best ways to spark the love for learning at early age and cause children to learn the techniques of nature conservation and friendship with it.

Concept development

The general form idea was about merging some cocoon shape forms surrounded in a cube. Inside these hollow forms a friendly and nature based design shapes our space. Straight contours con-

nect floor to the roof (like trees in jungle) to seprate diffrent spaces and functions.

Accompanying Parents In Adventurous Trips

1. Considering A Cube 2. Silkworm Cocoons Form 3. Merging Silkworm Cocoon Forms 4. Subtracting Cocoons From The Cube

5. Converting The Form to 3 Levels

6. Creating Roof & Contours From Levels

7. Final form

Type:

Year:

-Designing a modular lifestyle for students-

Competition - Residential

November 2020 - December 2020

Location:

Area:

Tehran, Iran

480 m²

Status:

Honorable Mention, Container City UNI.xyz competition

Architects:

DNA Group, Gelareh Saneyi

Brief:

The design brief was to design a student housing concept made out of 15 shipping containers. We were supposed to devise spaces and the requirements based on how many people ideally could fit in this shipping container setup.

This project tries to answer the student housing crisis in Iran by setting up an affordable and adaptable system for plots that have not yet been invested. we set some rules for neighboring the containers properly. Due to this goal we designed a rectangular structure based on modules that their ratio’s are based on container dimensions. However, it is adaptable to different site locations.

Contributation to the project:

Idea Development

Modeling: Rhinoceros 7.0

Rendering: Enscape 3.3 & Lumion 11

Presentation: Photoshop 2021

Urban Flexibility:

The project is flexible to adapt to various parcel sizes and morphologies. It can be inserted in a dense context or scattered context. On the top of a hill in the city, among a

historical context, or a cliff. It also can be bordered by two buildings or have four open sides.

Selecting the appropriate site plan among various solutions

Determining the basic dimensions of the basic grid based on defined rules

Generating many alternatives using programming and generative design techniques

Calculating total the area of containers

Selecting better alternatives by comparing the analysis of the previous step

Choosing the best alternative from the options selected in the previous step based on aesthetic issues and architectural qualities

Calculating the amount of direct received sun

B: Dense urban context

C: Historical Context

D: On The Hills

-100 Of Best Generated Alternatives In Terms Of Area-

Selected Alternative (Grid 11*15)

-Best Generated Alternatives In Terms Of Area And Direct Received Sunlight-

-Best Option in Terms of Received Sunlight in 21 DEC-

Domestic Flexibility:

In this project, two modules(6 and 12 meters long) were defined by rules. Thus, we tried to design the interior of these two modules based on different tastes and personalities. Alternatives are different in terms of capacity, furnishing, planning, entrances, and quality of living. A multitude of configurations are possible and inhabitants can customize the space with remarkable ease.

Exploded Diagram

Architectural ideas & Decisions:

Several places were designed to let the students gather and have group activities such as studying, having fun, reading, playing, even working and earning some money as a part time job. All the details-everything- designed to help students have a better experience of living. Insulating a shipping container is an important step of the building process if you are

planning on making a container livable and comfortable They bake in hot climates and freeze in cool climates because heat moves easily through steel.

On the ground-floor, we designed a greenhouse that uses a recirculating process to grow and harvest plants and farm fish. This place provides an astonishing place where students can interact and enhance

their social responsibilities.

Bamboo-bam

-a free form space structure-

Type: Workshop - Pavion

Year: May 2021 - November 2021

Location: Tehran, Iran

Area: 73 m²

Status: Completed

Held By: Digital Craft House, University of Art in Association with Bamboo Research Group, School of Architecture & Design, Virginia Tech

Supervisor & Tutor: Dr. Ramtin Haghnazar, Seyyed Ali Derazgisoo, Mehran Masoudi, Danial Keramat & Jonas Hauptman

Brief:

This 3 month-long workshop was related to designing a free-form spatial structure using non-standard bio-materials with the concerns of sustainability. During the workshop, we were divided into small groups and the process included material study, sustainability, computational and structural design, form-finding, and digital fabrication.

Contributation to the project:

Idea Development, Construction

Modeling: Rhinoceros 7.0, Grasshopper

Rendering: Rhino Render

Presentation: Photoshop 2021, Premiere Pro

Material Study

Four types of bamboo were tested according to assessing their quality, geometrical and mechanical studying and workability. In the end, a native species of bamboo was preferred over the others.

Form Finding

One code for each method was prepared to let students easily use and play around with those tools. Methods studied included force density, dynamic relaxation, graphic statics, and layout optimization.

System Development

The candidates were then prototyped to experience the fabrication process for each system. Some prototypes had undergone little changes compared to the suggested ideas while fabricating. Finally, an evaluation process was done based on various criteria to come to conclusion what are the pros and cons of each system.

Polyhedron

Reconfigurable geometric shape based on the extrusion of each surface of a polyhedron along the normal direction.

Material Testing:

Different types of mechanical tests and other methods have been done on bamboos.

Alternative 1Alternative 2

Structures where members support each other along their spans.

Stacked Tapes Assembled in Rigid Structure

A circular flat joint with connector elements

Nexorade

Star

Radial

Alternative 3 Alternative 4

Raw Thai Bamboo

Flamed Iranian Bamboo (Kheizaran)

Flamed Thai Bamboo

Raw Iranian Bamboo (Kheizaran)

Analysis Using Karamba Plugin

Evaluation & Design Workflow

Finally, suggested systems were evaluated based on visual elegance, the possibility of fabrication and assembly, structural performance, durability, and cost. Other considered factors were the usage of systems for 3 layer or 2 layer structures, needing to construct a CNC rotary system, and facilities provided in DC House Fab

Lab. Considering these criteria, alternative RAdial was chosen. we developed a “digital design workflow” in a parametric modeling platform known as “grasshopper”. This digital workflow fully automates the modeling process and delivers the required outputs in a timely manner.

BIM Model & Prototyping

Finally, The second output is the shop drawing of the nodes and handles. These parts will be milled from plywood sheets with a 3 Axis CNC

machine. The final output is the numerical statistics about the BIM model, such as element count and length.

3. WireMesh

2. Node’s Normal

1. Initial Mesh 6. Generating 3D Node (on the Plane)

5. Adjusting Node’s Plane Elevation

4. Trimming Mesh Wires

7. Generating Bamboo Axes

9. Blending Both Handle’s Ends

8. Generating 2D Handles’ Ends

11. Adding Node’s Tag and Pockets’ Tags

10. Generating 3D Handles & Screw Holes

12. Adding Handles’ Tags

15. Adding Bamboo Tags (Based on

14. Adding Screw, Nuts and Washers

BIM Model

13. Adding Schematic Bamboo Pipes

Custom Digital Fabrication Tools

For the bamboo poles, we understood they would need four bolts at each end and not aligned to one another to connect to their respective joints. A rotary axis was not affordable and might not fit our CNC bed. we had to design a custom one.

Fabrication Process And Assembly

Bamboos that had thicker mantle and were larger in diameter were placed on the basement structure using screw. Middle structures of basements which were similar to six-winged stars were then added and fixed to the bamboos

of basements at the top. The three basements of the structure started to be constructed at the same time until they met each other in the middle.

Boundary, “A robot’s dream”

-A Platform for storytelling & a short hybrid animation-

Type: Workshop - Pavion

Year: November 2020 - December 2020

Location: Tehran, Iran

Awards: First Place in “Digital Digital Fabrication” Workshop / United States / Kent

State University

Status: Completed

Held By: Tehran University of Art in Collaboration With Kent State University & DC House

Supervisor & Tutor: Dr. Ebrahim Poustinchi

Brief:

This workshop focused on a robotically augmented design using Maya. The workshop was seeking an in-between-between the digital fabrication, simulation, and digital modeling as a possible design and a thinking medium to combine the restrictions and opportunities of each of the mentioned mediums into a hybrid design process. It also visited the idea of a digital fabric and context as a platform for storytelling and atmosphere creation.

Contributation to the project:

Idea Development

Modeling: Maya 2020

Rendering: Arnold

Presentation: Premiere pro 2020

The digital medium used in this project creates an unreal environment with a narration. In this platform. The story is about a dark and gloomy crowded city after a traumatic crisis where there is no hope, and robots are bringing hope and excitement to the city. In fact, robots are running a factory in which balloons that are the symbol of hope are made. Each robot is responsible for a specific task. Finally, inflated and colorful balloons are produced and are blown out of the trumpet. In the end, some of the balloons which are the symbol of hope are freed to fly upward. Two robots are standing on an arch which is the

symbol of the past. These two robots collaborate and help in overthrowing the arch so that those balloons can spread hope easily throughout the whole city and this action is an indication of liberation from the past and boundaries made by human beings. In fact, this is like a dream for robots.

1.Material Phsase

2.Balloon Factory

3.Balloon Production

4.Flying Balloons

5.Boundry

6.Freedom

Boundary-”a robot’s dream”

ROBOTISM

- Digital Design and Robotic fabrication Workshop -

Type: Workshop - Pavilion

Year: Autumn 2019

Location: University of Tehran - Tehran

Area: 40 m²

Status: Constructed

Supervisor: Dr Mohammad Reza Matini

Held By: Tehran University in Collaboration With Art University & DC House

Brief:

ROBOTISM was a ten-day workshop held in December 2019 at the University of Tehran, focused specifically on the computational design and robotic fabrication. The workshop included 45 undergraduate and graduate architecture students who were divided into groups of 5 to 6 and practiced working with robot. KUKA KR6 with a KRC2 controller was used in this workshop.

Contributation to the project:

Idea Development

Modeling: Rhinoceros 6.0 & Grasshopper

Rendering: Rhino Render

Presentation: Photoshop 2020 & Indesign

Initial experiments with robots

In the first exercise of workshop, students were asked to draw continuous curves with specific patterns in grasshopper 3d and define the motion path of the robot and after generating the G-Codes they started to light painting by using a simple LED as a tool that was placed on the robot’s head. In the next exercise, each group was asked to design a structure making use of wooden pieces with specific sizes and numbers, and assemble it with Pick and Place technique.

Form Finding

Students embarked on designing a pavilion on a scale of one to one. The major restriction to be considered in designs was the amount of available material, 40 square meter of 18mm plywood. All of the proposals were assessed by the jury, and eventually one of them was opted for the final project.

1. Surface 2. Contouring Surface

3. Dividing Contour Lines 4 .Locating Plywoods

Initial experiments with robots

The final design had to be prepared for the assembly process. Given the limitation of robot reach to 1.6m and the conditions of the site, we decided to halve the arch, and also split each half to 4 and 5 sections

respectively, making a total of 9 sections. The fabricated sections in the workshop space were transported to the campus and assembled over two hours.

DIVIDING THE PAVILION TO 9 ARCHES EXPLORING DIAGRAMS OF DIVISION

ROBOTIC FABRICATION ANALYSIS

Place the wooden pieces

Pick the wooden pieces

Assemble The wooden pieces

Cubecell tower

- Designing a tower in tehran using cellular automata -

Type: multifunctional tower

Year: 2020

Location: Tehran

Area: 90000 m²

Status: Concept & Reasearch

Architects: DNA Group, Zahra Salehi

Brief:

The problem of the project was the design of a multifunctional 60-storey tower. Due to the needs and factors such as structure, energy, and performance needs, we came to the conclusion that the use of a computational process will be beneficial in achieving a faster and more efficient response. We turned to agent-based algorithms, specifically cellular automata. In this path, the intended goals such as the ability to prefabricate, change and reproduce and add parts at different times of this cellular system have been selected. Finally, by choosing several alternatives and analyzing them by using the Karamba plugin to check the structure, the energy analysis plugins in Grasshopper, and CFD to check the final form and shell against wind currents, the best option was chosen.

Contributation to the project:

Idea Development

Modeling: Rhinoceros 6.0 & Grasshopper & Python

Rendering: Lumion 11

Presentation: Photoshop 2020

cellular automaton

A cellular automaton consists of a regular grid of cells, each in one of a finite number of states, such as on and off. For each cell, a set of cells called its neighborhood is defined relative to the specified cell. An initial state is selected by assigning a state for each cell. A new generation is created, according to some fixed rule.

Void units: These units only form the edge of the work.

White units Units that are randomly converted into Cells, Terraces, and Spaces.

Fixed units around the core units: Units are considered fixed and do not change.

Core units: Fixed units that are essentially the structural part and the main core.

Generation Methods

First method : The number of generations is arbitrary and the number of classes is defined separately.

Second method : The number of levels required determines the number of generations.

Cell Unit

Terrace Unit Space Unit

Structure

The basis of designing the plans in this project is square modules. The system which has been chosen would be beam and column structure (bending frame) One of the reasons for choosing this structure would be the reproducibility of the structure

based on designing the 0 to 15th floor to add some modules to the structure. Also, this structure allows repeating the pattern of filling and removing the modules in the plan environment in the height of the structure.

CFD Analysis

Karamba analysisStructure

Alt 1

Alt 2

Vertical circulation

Land use types

Vertical circulation design

7 passenger elevators and two freight elevators are located in the central core of the building.

There are also floors with a multiple of 10 safe floors and staff dining halls. There are also two escape routes Located in the core. 4 elevators and two other escape stairs have been installed which are located on both sides of the building and the closest place to the exit doors.

Audi showroom

- portable showroom -

Type: Showroom

Year: 2019

Location: Tehran

Area: 1020 m²

Status: Concept & Reasearch

Architects: DNA Groups

Brief:

The purpose of this project was to design a mobile car exhibition for Audi company.

Since this exhibition should be able to be moved, the construction method was chosen using the active bending method. Bending-active structures are structural systems that include curved beam or shell elements that base their geometry on the elastic deformation from an initially straight or planar configuration.

In this project, all the facilities, including sanitary facilities, ventilation systems, and light and water supply, were selected using mobile facilities and according to the final goal of the project. In fact, all these facilities can be off-grid.

Contributation to the project:

Idea Development

Modeling: Rhinoceros 6.0 & Grasshopper & Sketchup

Rendering: Lumion 11

Presentation: Photoshop 2020

Structure diagram

Semi-transparent panels

Main structure

Complementary structure

Floor panels

Vertical forces

Substructure

Foundation

Lateral forces

Water curtain system

A line of closely spaced sprinklers in combination with draft stops

Natural Ventilation

Functions with split cycle with condenser and evaporator and also curtain water

ipogami

- compliant kinetic panel -

Type: Facade Panel

Year: Autumn 2020

Location: University of Tehran - Tehran

Status: Constructed

Supervisor: Dr Mohammad Reza Matini

Brief:

In this project, the goal was to design a kinetic panel that responses due to intense sunlight or rain, to provide comfort condition. In this regard, inspired by the structure of the Ipomea flower -how it blooms- and using the origami method, the final panel was designed. The final structure was made using a flexible part and a rigid part. The rigid part is used to provide strength and the flexible part is used to provide opening and closing ability. Using cable and spring steel is also to integrate the main part to the stepper motor. This compliant kinetic panel is equipped with a water and light sensor and provides the final goal by using an Arduino Uno and a stepper motor.

Contributation to the project:

Idea Development

Construction

Modeling: Rhinoceros 6.0 & Grasshopper

Presentation: Adobe premier

Bands

Corrola

Design Process

The movement in many biological kinetic structures is often based on compliant mechanisms that are integrated into larger flexible organs.

In this flower configuration, all five petals are fused together to one continuous corolla surface. A spiral movement of the bands begins with a sudden burst of the bud shell. Once the thin lamina that connects the bands is torn apart, the five bands start to separate from each other and bend outwards in a slower helical movement. Since origami relies on the deflection of flexible materials it is a compliant mechanism.

The chosen origami for this research is Starshade, Flasher( Jeremy shafer)

Valley Fold

The purpose of designing panel:Tested fabrication methods:

1 : Integrated

1: PP (PolyPoropylene)

2: PVC (polyvinylChloride)

3: High impact Polystyrene

4: PES-PVDF

Tested fabrication methods:

3 : Stiff & flexible

1: Fabric + 3D print

2: Fabric + Glue Chosen Method

3: Fabric + CNC sewing

Mechanism Inspiration

NASA Origami

2 : Spring hinge Metal sheet + Spring hinge

Metal sheet + Spring hinge 3D printing on Canvas

Valley Fold

Mountain Fold

MountainFold

7 strands

Tensile strength

High yeild strength Resilance

Light

Heat resistance

Pliability

Clean cut

Heat protection

Abrasion Resistance

Deformation resistance (In Low Thicknesses)

Low cost

Water resistance

Photcell

Stainless Steel Wire (Plastic coated)

1: CABLE (FISHING LINE)

2: SPRING STEEL

4: TARPAULIN

3: PLEXIGLASS (PMMA)

Digital techniques

1: 3D print (FDM method)

2: Milling machine (Metal)

3: Laser cut

Glue

Rain sensor

Arduino Uno

Thermo electric cooler

Stepper motor

The spring are not allowed to have motion in their place in fabric.

Membrane + Plexiglass

Spring steel Cable Stepper motor & CNC Steel

Glass

Cable and spring steel must have specified distance to avoid friction.

spring steel Cable

The core of panel which keeps the spring steels in center.

Exploded diagram

The performance of the panel

Flexible part

Rigid part