ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO NADA NAFEH
[IN]FORMAL PATTERN LANGUAGE a guide to Handmade ImprovitectureŠ in Cairo [in]formal Pattern Language proposes a process and a guide that mediates between bottom-up community-based efforts and top-down expertise in a way that is open, flexible, replicable and transferable. The project introduces a new typology Improvitecture (improvisation + improvement + architecture) as the architecture from, and for, informality. Improvitecture redefines traditional borders between architect and user, planned and improvised, complete and incomplete and, finally, formal and informal.
sessions, a geo-tagging and mapping workshop with children and an exhibition on site, community members, architecture students and experts collaboratively broke down the complexity of informal settlements into patterns. Patterns were then combined with tools and in-situ design interventions. Participants also optimized a rooftop by installing prototypes and a micro urban farm.
The [in]formal Pattern Language acts as a guide to operate within the introduced Improvitecture model.
To further document and compile patterns for the manual, the wider community is encouraged to take part in this on-going process by completing a pattern template and or posting geo-tagged images of patterns on the website which will then appear on an interactive map and catalogue that communicate the identify of informal areas.
Through an open-source website, collaborative
www.informalpatternlanguage.com
MAPPING + GEOTAGGING WORKSHOP
INSTALLING A MICRO URBAN FARM
CONSTRUCTION OF PROTOTYPES
STREET EXHIBITION ON SITE
PROPOSED OPTIMIZATION OF REMAINING AGRICULTURAL LAND
EXISTING PATTERN
Classroom / studio space
Exhibition Space
Added Platform
NEW PATTERN AFTER OPTIMIZATION
STRUCTURE 1 GROUND FLOOR
PILGRIMAGE PILGRIMAGE PILGRIMAGE
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The design contains of Nordic conditions of completion towards the self totality realisation. Theare design contains the totality Nordicaconditions that communicated to the usersofthrough sensory journey, connections to the sky, establishing an thatdesign are communicated the users throughconditions aecology sensory The contains the tototality of Nordic between community members, animals, birds and journey, connections to the sky, establishing an ecology that areThe communicated the Spa usersframes through a sensory plants. architecture to of the moments of between communityto members, animals,and birdsan and plants. journey, connections the sky, establishing ecology totality, individuality where spirituality physicality The architecture of the Spa frames moments of totality, come together. between community members, animals, birds and plants.
individuality where spirituality andmoments physicality come to� The architecture of the Spa frames of totality, gether. individuality where spirituality and physicality come to� gether.
SIDE ELEVATION
FRONT ELEVATION
NIGHT
The building envelope changes to adapt to altering climate and sunlight conditions. Day: Panels open to allow for solar gain. Night: daylight sensing insulated panels close to minimize heat loss
DAY
` TREATMENT: SUM
POOL
MMER
FRAMING MOMENTS OF TOTALITY
` TREATMENT: SUMMER TRANQUILLITY
TRANQUILLITY
FRAMING MOMENTS OF TOTALITY
PASSIVE STRATEGIES
VENTILATION
DAYLIGHT
ES
N
Typical Floor Plan
Offices: Typical Floor Plan
LYCHEE FRUITBAR
Lychee‘s colour burst interior and strikingly vibrant atmosphere resembles a fruit market gone wild through fruit colour splashes on the walls and floors, fruit boxes and planting pots. Raw wooden fruit boxes covered in a polychromatic paint explosion create the furniture, the ceiling and the store‘s facade. This artsy creation elevates simple fruit into an art form, coming to life through a mix of colourful architectural tectonics. The ordering process is designed to be an interactive expercience through an ipad application and test tubes to mix fruit shots surrounded by a setting of colour splashes.
LOGO DESIGN
PROCESS
THE CEILING
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
MARMI ZEITOUN - MARBLE SHOWROOM