AENG 454-Design Studio IV

Aeng 454Design Studio IV Dr.Amr Abd el Kawi Dr.May El-Ibrashi

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Table of contents Summary Philosophy- philosophical meaning architectural meaning Relation to present Defining the problem Structural Experience of Problem Proposing the New WORLD Realization phase-Components Experiantial Model Choosing a structural system Design Phases

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Summary In this design studio our main focus is Structure, and allowing the structure to be the main constrain in our design, im other words we would choose a structural system and design around it to make the best use that fits our concept.

This semester we have been told to pick a design philosophy early on in the the semester to adopt, the options were; Structuralism, Modernism, Phenomenology, Post-Modernism & Post Structuralism.

Our choice was “Structuralism� and through extreme research and reading we Were suppose to find out the philosophical meaning & architectural meaning of the adopted philosophy as well as its relation to our present.

Later, after relating our philosophy to our present, we would come up with our design issue, and our vision for a NEW WORLD. We were able to address our current problem as Westernlization and after reaching to the essence of the problem we were able to build a structure based on the philosophy of that problem.

Later, on an attempt to address this problem with a new Vision, we were able to spot an area with very little resources and high potentials, but most importantly with no ordering system.

In our Project we try to add an ordering system to these existing potentials which will eventually lead to our own development.

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Philosophy What is Structuralism?

-Structuralism communicates in a system of signs that stimulates the user to bring his own meaning to the sign representing the form.

-Structuralism has the power to communicate through the operation of its systemof stimulative sign vehicles, to determinate what those functions &values are going to be.

Statment “Codified meaning within cultural context�

Relation to present East & West relation the code west= development east=undevelopment thus, the problem is

WESTERNIZATION

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Structural Experience of Problem Finding that East & West have the same potential and that it is the ordering system and proper use is what makes the difference.

We are adopting the surface, the aesthatics rather than the ordering system.

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Proposing the New WORLD After the phase of relization of the problem and defining the different aspects of the problem, we started searching for sites that could capture the same exact concept that the structural experience delievered. We were searching for a site that has a very unpleasing image and might look like a weak point in the image of Egypt but within it holds alot of potential. We were looking for places where an ordering system can transform it to a more DEVELOPED system.

During our search, we came across the markets of galabiyas, and carpets in Kerdassa, Giza, Egypt. We read about its high touristic influence which is not even in its highest potential. This captured the essence of our proposed NEW WORLD. If an ORDERING SYSTEM could be adopted to direct these HIDDEN POTENTIALS through the talents and the reosurces of this area, develoment can be achieved and thus a better world.

KERDASA A suburb village in the borders of Giza Governorate combining both rural and urban properties.

PROS: -Embodies one of the major cotton productions.

-Famous for its hand-made textile crafts, woven carpets,

and wall hangings in native traditional patterns.

-Holds the potential of being one of the biggest textiles markets.

-Community consisting of both the urbanized working class,

and the rural farming class.

CONS:

- Weak infrastructure system.

- Unappealing residential and commercial areas.

- Several informal settlements.-Unorganized work process.

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Realization phase-Components Vocational Training centre

Production plant

In order to sart properly we need to learn the basics thawas passed on correctly. To make better use of the talents already existing in the site, and by that we are going back to the roots of our culture and making a strong base to de-

To know and experience the concept of the “Process”, and having all the different components under one roof with additional factors and quality control steps to introduce the order further more.

velop up on.

Exhibition Space The structure system needs to show that we are branching out to the world. The system is supposed to show the world how great this area is, how rich in materials it is, and how can we turn this potential to opportunity. The system has to functional. The area provided has to be big in space and the whole system has to fully function together so that it can rise with the area’s potential.

Experiantial model GLASS-MARKETING WEAVE-PRODUCTION

FOAM-HUMAN TALENT

CORK-SITE POTENTIAL & RESOURCES

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Trying to capture the experience created by each component, while figuring out the relation among one another

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Choosing a structural system

Why Tensegrity?

The structure system needs to show that we are branching out to the world. The system is supposed to show the world how great this area is, how rich in materials it is, and how can we turn this potential to opportunity. The system has to functional. The area provided has to be big in space and the whole system has to fully function together so that it can rise with the area.

Experimenting with tensegrity

Experiantial Structural model Trying to capture the experience created by each component,With the Choosen structure, as to see weather this system will help give the user the what he needs or not.

From this experimentation came out the three components of this project which are: 1-Vocational Training complex 2-Production centre 3-Exhibition

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PHASE 1 Scal 1:500

First design attempt: Componenet 1: The vocational Training: Designed by having 2 tensegrity units creating the spaces for the school, one near kerdassa market, while the other one on the other side. The vocational training centre revolves around TAKING THE KERDASSA RESIDENTS FROM THE UNDEVELOPED HIGHLY CLUSTERED AREA TO A MORE OPEN SPACE , TO A BETTER WORLD. NOTE: Thetensgrity unit on the kerdassa side of the street looked TOO ALIEN AND UNRELATED TO THE PEOPLE OF kERDASSA. The huge tensgrity unit is used for the education beauce this is the real essence of this structure, to experience this skill they have always had in a moore ZOOMED IN and IN DETAIL study.

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Second Component: The Production Plant: In this part of the project, the knowledge acquired in the VT is used and applied in real life.

Smaller tengrity units create series of arches that form the space within.

The main spinning, weaving, cutting and sewing activities take place under the main space.

The bigger tengrity units by the side is THE ADDITIONAL ORDERING SYSTEMS such as quality control, human resources and self development department.

NOTES: The asthetic charcteristics of the Tensgrity Arch is more applicable to an exhibition space than a production space where effeciency is most priorety.

Third Component: The Exhibition: A different type of octagonal tensgrity is used which provide large space for exhibitiong and double height characteristics.

Notes: There was still HIGH WASTED SPACE due to the dead areas caused by the high inclined posts. The structure used in the second component is more applicable to an exhibition.

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The connection between the three components was still weak and it didn’t yet serve the whole story of the structure.

By then, we didn’t yet explore the different journeys taken by the different users of this complex.

1) The Student 2) The worker 3) The visitor.

Each user has to have their own experience not only through their specified space but through the way they overlook the other 2 spaces.

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PHASE 2 Vocational traing school Scal 1:400

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By this Phase of design: While trying to be more fitting to the kerdassa space and more inviting and less alien to the people A CABLE SYSTEM was used The tensgrity bridge that had major structural problems was replaced by a plain bridge held by the cables of the first structure.

The other side was still the tertiary tensgrity structure.

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Page 17 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

Relation to neighbouring projects

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PHASE 3 Vocational traing school Scal 1:400

The general form was beginning to be settled in relation to the structure, but as for the plan division around the tilted tensegrity members it was still questionable. As the worry about clear heights, and waste of space was constantly aroused.

So a proposed sloution was the open court applied in the shown plans, where the user would be able to experience and admire the structure.

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PHASE 4 Vocational traing school Scal 1:400

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The open court proposed in the previous phase was proven to have failed, as it was more problematic than helpful. So a new idea was introduced, which is adding a part of a slab to avoid the members clear height , this slab is reached by a ramp from the second floor, ehich now will be overlooking the studio while going around the tensegrity members.

This way the ground floor would remain empty for the user to experience the difference in the structural systems.

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PHASE 5-Prefinal Submission Vocational traing school Scal 1:400

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PHASE 6--final Submission

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Sections:

Elevations:

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Structurual illustrations:

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Studies:

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Group layout:

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