Neda.Rafizadeh - Portfolio - (2019-2024)

Language

Persian (Native Speaker)

Neda Rafizadeh

Female |

09 June 1997 |

Iranian

English (Proficient) -TOEFL ibt : 96

Soft Skill

Responsibility, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Leadership, Team Work, Ability to work under Pressure, Adaptibility, Communication.

Education

Bachelor of Architecture

Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Saba Faculty of Art & Architecture, Kerman, Iran

Diploma in Mathematics

NODET High School (National Org. for Development of Exceptional Talents), Kerman, Iran

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant | Computer Aided Design and Fabrication Undergraduate Course – CADF 1401, University of Tehran, School of Architecture, Tehran, Iran

( Helped students with their grasshopper assignments, guided students through concept development, fabrication and assembly process of the final pavilion) click HERE

Since I can remember, I’ve been curious about the world beyond me. To quench this curiosity, I attended tens of classes before the age of 18. Choosing architecture as my academic major was the best decision for me because it encompasses an incredibly wide variety of disciplines. Architecture has satisfied my soul more than anything else I have experienced. Due to my interest in fabricating my ideas and my curiosity about finding new methods of design, I entered the world of computational design and digital fabrication. I am a passionate learner and always seek to experience new things.

Hard Skill

Programming

Grasshopper 3D

C#

Python

HTML, CSS

Javascript, jQuery

Modelling & Visualizing

Autocad Rhinoceros

Photoshop Illustrator Indesign Microsoft Office Filmora Figma

neda.rafizade@gmail.com

Linkdin

Laser Cutter CNC milling Machine 3D Printing(FDM)

Professional Experience

Parametric House

Computational Designer, Content Developer - Remote (United Kingdom)

Parametric House - Linketix Branch

Lead Researcher, Lead Designer - Remote (United Kingdom)

Dahi Studio (Part-time)

Computational Designer, Researcher - Tehran, Iran

Digital Craft House

FabLab Assistant - Tehran, Iran

Freelance Architect

Taq Bostan | Design & Build (Part-time)

Junior Architect - Kerman, Iran

Workshops, Seminars & Courses

UX Fundamentals Course

UX-Land

Click Here

Advanced Python Programming and ObjectOriented Thinking Course

Quera College, Tehran, Iran

ACADIA and CAADRIA Joint Exhibition, Habits of the Anthropocene

Hong Kong (Presented Poster - Cavilion)

Click Here

DigitalFUTURES 2023 - DigiPy Workshop

Digital Craft House, University of Art, Tehran, Iran|

Click Here

Freeform Space Structure – Bamboo-Bam Workshop

Digital Craft House, University of Art, Tehran, Iran

Project Oriented Course in Front-End Development with Perfect Score

Quera College , Tehran, Iran

Completing 30 Sessions of Coding in Architecture (Python & C#)

Photography workshop

Saba Faculty of Art & Architecture, Kerman, Iran

Architectural Sketching workshop (2-months)

Hobbies

Extracurricular & Volunteering Experiences

Creating art with Resin

Photogrphy of Buildings & Nature

Taking Piano Classes

Assistant Karate Instructor | Coached new students by breaking down techniques into simple moves.

Participating in Painting Classes | Chalk pastel, Colored pencil, Watercolor

Taking Sport Classes (Basketball, Skating, Swimming, Tennis, Karatee, etc.)

Honor & Awards

Space Nominee | Jaques Roujerie foundation, International Architecture Competition

National Merit Scholarship (Full Tuition Waiver) | BArch, SB University of Kerman, Iran

Public Piano Performance Beethoven Music Academy, Kerman, Iran

Gold Medal | National Kyokushin Karate Tournament, Tehran, Iran

Black-Belt of Karatee(1st Dan)

Tennis Piano Swimming Travel Music

Roller skating Photography Basketball Socializing Karate

Habitat in Caves

Competition | Team work

Jaques Roujerie foundation | International Architecture Competition | Category: Architecture and innovation for space | November, 2021

Role: Associate Concept Developer | Associate Designer | 3D Modeling | Video Editing

Competition Result : Space Nominee (Honorbale Mention) 6 months exercise

This architectural project represents a rediscovering of design principles in a novel context: Mars. Given the planet’s harsh and wild environment, our approach involves a meticulous recreation of the surrounding conditions. To achieve this, we’ve developed a two-layered structure aimed at safeguarding our architectural vision. This design concept draws parallels to the nurturing environment of a fetus in its mother’s womb, with the habitats analogous to the fetus and the protective cavities mirroring the womb’s nurturing embrace.”

Design Alternatives:

Future (On Mars)

Psychological Needs: Our Solution:

Eliminating Silence Lively and active places

Sense of belonging Places which have the capacity for personalizing

Our concept is based on earth as an origin of human’s values, thoughts. Human’s surviving and thriving on Mars depends on preserving his earth identity. We assume that humans bring their values, believes, and identities to Mars.

Avoiding sense of loneliness

Avoiding sense of homesickness

Intractive places which allow people to meet each other

Simulating earth conditions

Having visual beauty Creating green places

Fear of unpredictable future

Physical Needs:

Adjusting wather condition

Lack of oxygen

Designing disciplined inner spaces

Our Solution:

Active thermal control system

Moxie (Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resources Utilization Experiment) very new invention takes carbon dioxide of mars armosphere into two other gases, carbon monoxide which is the feul of vehicles on planet and oxygen which is the stuff we want to breathe.

Gravity

Avoiding dust strom

Avoiding extreme temperature swings

Avoiding asteroid strikes

Simulating gravity

Two seperated layered volume to isolate habitable spaces from the mars’ harsh environmet

Milky way Galaxy

Fetus in mother’s womb The inner wall design is inspired by the shape of the milky way galaxy because of it’s relevance to the topic of competition “

Material Suggestion:

Mycelium (fungus): biodegradable materialconstruction on site with 3D printing method

Material Advantages:

Recylclers

Sheild radiation

Fast growing Self extinguishing Cheap Strong

Biodegradable Myscelium is a strng material that is recyclable yet and has the added benefit of in-situ manufacture. Due to their low overall atomic weight, fungus are effective shields for ionizing cosmic radiation. Fungus can grow on agriculture wastes. Mycelium is stable under compression. It can localize vibration and therefore it will not break.

External shell design process:

“A

Circulation diagram

02 Bamboo-Bam

Academic Project | Team work

Tehran, Iran | Summer 2021

Role : Researcher| Ascociate Concept Development | Participant Digital Fabrication Workshop /3 months exercise Digital Craft House in cooperation with BioDesign Research Group (Virginia Tech), Tehran University of Art, Tehran, Iran.

The workshop attempts to cover five main research areas in this process, including material study, sustainability, computational design, form-finding, structural design and digital fabrication.

These different areas require various knowledge, expertise, and experiences. To ensure that we can cover them to the extent we need for a workshop, we have instructors and collaborators from different institutions and different backgrounds who generously offer to share their skills and experiences.

MATERIAL

A group was responsible for investigating bamboo as a natural, non-standard material, its properties, applications and how it can be used for construction.

We found 4 types, and performed a preliminary study, assessing their quality, geometrical and mechanical properties, workability and so on.

We also tried to follow recommendations of BS ISO for Grading of bamboo. In the end, a native species of bamboo, the so-called ‘Kheizaran’ was preferred over the others.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Everyone was encouraged to participate in form design, either using form-finding methods introduced before or coming up with free hand designs if interested. There was no predefined path and we have meant that participants’ interests direct the workshop. After quite some time of correction and discussion, 13 candidates were shortlisted. The final form was then selected based on votes.

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

In a series of brainstorming sessions, various systems were proposed until a handful of them were chosen as final candidates.

The candidates were then prototyped to experience the fabrication process for each.

We have conducted an evaluation process based on various criteria to come to conclusion what are the pros and cons of each system. Among these 4 alternatives, we continued with the last one.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

MATERIAL DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

On the other hand, everyone was encouraged to participate in form design, either using form-finding methods introduced before or coming up with free hand designs if interested. There was no predefined path and we have meant that participants’ interests direct the workshop. After quite some time of correction and discussion, 13 candidates were shortlisted. The final form was then selected based on votes.

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

In a series of brainstorming sessions, various systems were proposed until a handful of them were chosen as final candidates.

The candidates were then prototyped to experience the fabrication process for each.

We have conducted an evaluation process based on various criteria to come to conclusion what are the pros and cons of each system. Among these 4 alternatives, we continued with the last one.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

On the other hand, everyone was encouraged to participate in form design, either using form-finding methods introduced before or coming up with free hand designs if interested. There was no predefined path and we have meant that participants’ interests direct the workshop. After quite some time of correction and discussion, 13 candidates were shortlisted. The final form was then selected based on votes.

The candidates were then prototyped to experience the fabrication process for each. We have conducted an evaluation process based on various criteria to come to conclusion what are the pros and cons of each system. Among these 4 alternatives, we continued with the last one. In a series of brainstorming sessions, various systems were proposed until a handful of them were chosen as final candidates.

Raw Iranian Bamboo (Kheizaran)

Raw Thai Bamboo Flamed Iranian Bamboo (Kheizaran)

Flamed Thai Bamboo

(Kheizaran)

2. Nexorade

Reciprocal

Polyhedron

Final system design

BIM MODELING

After the form design phase, the BIM modeling starts.

BIM Modeling

Goals of this part was:

After the form design phase, the BIM modeling starts.

Visualizing the design Alternatives (with details:

CUSTOM DIGITAL FABRICATION TOOLS

LOD 400)

Goals of this part was:

Clash detection prior to fabrication

Visualizing the design Alternatives (with details: LOD 400)

Extracting Fabrication Data (shop data & Estimations)

Clash detection prior to fabrication

Extracting Fabrication Data (shop data & Estimations)

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 instantly.

For the bamboo poles, we understood they would need four bolts at each end and not alighned to one another to connect to their respective joints.

Preparing Coordination Model for Assembly process

Preparing Coordination Model for Assembly process

The workflow starts with getting two general inputs from the user: First, the wire mesh which is the result of the form design phase, and second, some numerical inputs about bamboo, CNC machine, Screws, and node design preferences.

Three-axis CNC milling machines already existed that could drill vertically through the bamboo poles. Our poles couldn’t be rolled due to the fact that the drilling was only going one way. A rotary axis that was not affordable and might not fit our CNC bed had to be purchased or we had to design a custom one. We decided to go for the latter solution. The rotary consisted of three main parts. A gripper to grab the pole firmly in place while drilling and meanwhile align its center to the rotary axis. A rail and an adjustable wagon for different pole lengths. And a rotator to orient the pole at the right angle.

After the form design phase, the BIM modeling

Visualizing the design Alternatives (with details:

Extracting Fabrication Data (shop data & Preparing Coordination Model for Assembly

We decided to buy a low-cost 3-jaw concentric gripper for one end and 3D print a cone-shaped piece for the other end that would attach to a plywood wagon. It was built to go easily along the Y-axis on a rail, making it flexible to the length of the bamboo pole.

Parametric Modeling Process

We knew that each bamboo pole must be connected to its relevant joints by four screws, one pair at each end and the two pairs are not

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

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. Also, the shop data of bamboos is delivered. This data is used for sawing bamboos & drilling them with a rotary CNC machine. And the last output is the numerical statistics about the BIM model like elements count and length.

CUSTOM DIGITAL FABRICATION TOOLS

We knew that each bamboo pole must be connected to its relevant joints by four screws, one pair at each end and the two pairs are not parallel.

The workflow starts with getting two general inputs from the user: First, the wire mesh which is the result of the form design phase, and second, some numerical inputs about bamboo, CNC machine, Screws, and node

ACADEMIC PROJECTS

For the bamboo poles, we understood they would need four bolts at each end and not alighned to one another to connect to their respective joints. Three-axis CNC milling machines already existed that could drill vertically through the bamboo poles. Our poles couldn’t be rolled due to the fact that the

We already had a three-axis CNC milling machine that could drill through the bamboo poles vertically along its Z-axis. Since the drilling is only in one direction, we were short in one more axis around which we could roll the poles. We had to either purchase a rotary axis that would cost more than our budget and might not even

After receiving these data and processing them It outputs the fully detailed 3D model including labels for each element. This means that it can also be used as a coordination model in the assembly process.

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. Also, the shop data of bamboos is delivered. This data is used for sawing bamboos & drilling them with a rotary CNC machine. And the last output is the numerical statistics about the BIM model like elements count and length.

After receiving these data and processing them It outputs the fully detailed 3D model including labels for each element. This means that it can also be used as a coordination model in the assembly process.

We already had a three-axis CNC milling machine that could drill through the bamboo poles vertically along its Z-axis. Since the drilling is only in one direction, we were short in one more axis around which we could roll the poles. We had to either purchase a rotary axis that would cost more than our budget and might not even fit on our CNC bed or build a customized one ourselves. We decided to build one. The rotary consisted of three main parts. A gripper to grab the pole firmly in place while drilling and meanwhile align its center to the rotary axis. A rail and an adjustable wagon for different pole lengths. And a rotator to orient the pole at the right angle. we built a harmonic drive, also known as a strain wave gear, using 3d printed and laser cut parts, ball bearings and a stepper motor along with An Arduino board. The rotation angles of each pole are retrieved from the BIM model provided in grasshopper, and the Arduino program for each rotation is generated using this information.

PARAMETRIC MODELING PROCESS

Images: Fabrication

Raw Iranian Bamboo (Kheizaran) Flamed Iranian Bamboo (Kheizaran)

Academic Project | Team work

Tehran, Iran | Summer 2023

Role: Asociate Concept Developer |

Participant DigitalFUTURES Workshop for more info click HERE

INTRODUCTION

The essence of the Cavilion project is based on the utilization of bending to induce elastic deformations within its structural framework. Through the active-bend methodology, an inventive perspective is introduced to conventional flat-based manufacturing processes. The core objective of this fabrication approach is to achieve a bending-active structure, exemplified by the doublecurved surface of Cavilion, which emerges from the elastic deformation of initially planar components. stages described in the following sections.

The DigiPy workshop, held during the summer of 2023, hybrid digital fabrication workshop organized by digitalFUTURES in collaboration with Digital Craft House and Dahi Studio. workshop aimed to familiarize participants (48 students) computational design and digital fabrication, providing with the opportunity to construct a pavilion on a 1:1 scale. learning about the computational design and general concepts of digital fabrication, students started designing and proposing various forms for the final pavilion. The best design alternative was selected for proceeding to the design development shop drawing generation phase. From the production of structure’s elements using a three-axis CNC machine, to the assembly of the elements, students were actively involved gaining hands-on experience in the digital fabrication process. The final bending-active structure, named “Cavilion”, assembled at the University of Tehran in three days.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

To prepare the form for digital Fabrication, a BIM model including the detailed 3D model of the elements (LOD 400) and related information regarding each part is needed. This process was carried out by the instructors using the Grasshopper plugin. Due to the complex curvature of the form (anticlastic), its surface was not developable and could not be flattened without distortion. Therefore, the form was divided into narrow and expandable strips to increase its constructability. To maintain stability and curvature, the structure was designed in two main layers consisting of strips perpendicular to each other (i.e., radial and peripheral). However, due to the limitations of the available CNC cutting machine, the strips had to be divided into smaller pieces to fit within the length limit of the machine (240cm). This division resulted in gaps in different parts of the form, which compromised the continuity of the curvature. To address this issue, a third layer was added, consisting of short pieces used as reinforcement patches at these weak points. To connect these three layers, screws were used at the overlapping points. The holes required for the screws were incorporated into the 3D model and subsequently cut by the CNC machine.

Academic Project - Individual (Final Project)

Kerman, Iran | Summer 2019

Supervisor Dr. Soltanzadeh

Email msoltan@uk.ac.ir

Technology House

At the time of choosing a subject for my final project I realized that there were fabrication labratories for architecture students. Not only did we not have a fab lab in our university but also we did not have one in our town. Therefore, I decided to design a technology house that provides architecture students with educational spaces besides fablab in our city.

Throughout my education period I realized that it is crucial to have communication with other students in different majors for architecture students. This is because all architecture students need to deal with a vast veriety of deciplines ranges from urban design, new technologies in matertial and construction to social and economic matters. Thus, I designed a central space to provide students with a space to socialize with each other and share their experiences. This space is the core of my design that gathers all other spaces together. Students and faculty members can sit there and enjoy optimum natural light and pleasable environment there.

One of the places that visitors are welcomed to visit is the auditorium. In order to manage the visitors and seperate them from members, I designed a stair case on facade to directly guide them to the auditorium. Not only does it facilitate the access but it also enhances the inviting level of the building to have more visitors and be more productive.

NORTH ELEVATION

Professional Project - Team work

Role Designer

Kerman, Iran | Spring 2021

Esperloos

This project is a residential building that has three comercial units in the ground floor. Our client wanted to have 10 residential units with different plan design. We designed 5 different plan type to address the client demands. It also had to allocate 13 parking unit on the ground floor that increased the complexity of stucture design as well as plan design.

The building has 3 faces that recieves light. Our client wanted to use brick for the most of his building facade. In order to prevent the facade design from becoming monotonous we decided to utilize various brick detailings which are shown in the diagrams. Moreover, due to the fact that the east face of the building recieves direct horizontal sunlight from morning to noon we designed a wall with few openings that filter the direct light. This is the reason that the windows in this face are designed narrow and vertical. Also, the balconies have porous brick walls in their eastern side.

Professional -

Individual Project

Winter 2020

Chabahar, Iran

Beach Cafe 06

This project was my first individual professional project. My client wanted to have a cafe on beach at chabahar. There were some limitation for construction codes at this location as well as challenges for the tropical climate it has and the merely low budjet of my client. Therefore, I tried to address all the limitation and chanlleges by researching on my own and consulting with professionals.

Because of the construction code in the location it was not allowed to have balconies in the first floor and my client wanted to have such place. My idea was to have a window that act not only as it’s function but also as a balcony. Therefore, I researched what kind of windows are available in the market. The best one was frameless deployable window that enables us to have both opportunities.

To implement a sustainable architecture as well as reducing the expenses of consruction I suggested to use local material at that place. The types of wood that are used for the building are Chesh(for the facade), Kart(for the stairs), and Konar(for the main structure) that are available in Chabahar. These woods are suitable for the tropical climate and are cheaper than other materials there. Also, they enables the main structure of building to be light. For the spandrell I suggestef to use the woven Kheizaran strings, a local wood. The ceiling of terrace is a concept of sea waves with the local cloth and they will have movements by wind blowing.

07 Setare-Sarv GFRC Shells

Professional Project | Team Work

Tehran, Iran | Fall 2020

Role : Computational Designer Intern

Cooperation with Dahi Studio

Email : info@dahistudio.com

Setare-Sarv is a commercial building in Tehran. It contains four freeform shells. These shells are divided into several free-form panels with maximum thickness of 5 centimeters which are supposed to be constructed with GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) material. Due to the fact that each panel has a unique free-form shape, the fabricator company had to build a specific mold for each panel. A 6-axis robotic arm milling machine was supposed to carved these mold shapes from a concrete foam cube. Our team was responsible for delivering the shop drawing for these molds. Also, we had to rationalized the shells’ form and paneling to reduce the complexities of the fabrication processs.

Several teams were engaged with this project and they did not use a unified numbering system for the shells and panels. So our team developed a numbering system for all other teams in order to facilitate the communications between the teams.

Numbering System for Panels

Mold Carving Process

Sample of Final Mold Model

Panels edge & Overlapping Detail

Layers diagram Shell Position between floors

Outer Layer

Middle Layer

Inner Layer

Resolved Issues in Shell A after Rationalizing

Parametric House Experience

Parametric Modeling as Educational Content

In 2022, I started my collaboration with parametric house which is a one of the famous educational sources for learning parametric modeling with grasshopper. Through this collabroation I have utilized my knowledge in parametric design to develop educational content for learners around the world. Preparing these example files is always challenging and it has helped me to broaden my coding knowlege. Below are the links to some of my example files in Parametric House website.

PHYSICAL MODELING

GEOMETRICAL MODELING

MECHANISM SIMULATION

ARCHITECTURAL MODELING

SPIROGRAPH

MECHANISM

Individual project 2022

For full video of the simulation and process click HERE

At first I developed a grasshopper code to simulate the spirograph mechanism for parametric house and then I found it intresting to fabricate. To simulate the movement of the mechanism I came up with the 3 gear idea that works together with a single handle. In order to implement the speed difference between the wheels in the computer simulation, I designed right gear 10 percent smaller than the left one. The gears’ center positioning and the tooth count of each gear had to be calculated precisely in order to result in a drawing similar to the computer simulation.

Ternary Tower

Growing Ring Gear Simulation Voronoi Box

Triangulated Lamp

Proximity Connection

Noise on Mesh

Deployable Membrane Structure

Mesh Pattern

Linkage Mechanism

Radial Gear

Panelized Canopy

Circle-Packing Boundary

Louis Vuitton Store

Sunflower Tower

Elizabeth Quay Bridge