Abdullah Alsahafi - Architecture Design Portfolio - 2021

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2021

Abdullah Alsahafi

CONTENT

Next-Gen Precast Panel Aquarium Living Museum of Data Ambiguous Figures BIM Neural Pathologies Forms & Algorithms Chinatown Connections Solitude Pod

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Abdullah Alsahafi EDUCATION

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

alsahafi@alumni.upenn.edu

LinkedIn: bit.ly/3dJFdxR

University of Pennsylvania | Master of Architecture | Philadelphia, PA

May 2021

University of Michigan | Bachelor of Science in Architecture | Ann Arbor, MI

Dec 2016

University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA Graduate Student

2018-2021

− Collaborated with two students on desiging a custom, 4’x8’ concrete wall panel. It was later produced in full scale by Northeast Precast (NEP) in New Jersey. Personally handeled all communications with the project manager at NEP. − Designed a desk/chair for Tangen Hall, a new UPenn building. Implented the feedback of two furniture consultants. The desk/chair currently sit in Tangen Hall.

EXPERIENCE

Kieran Timberlake | Philadelphia, PA Extern

Jan, 2020

− Created drawings using Adobe Illustrator for the firm’s internal records and external submissions. − Met some firm principals regularly to discuss drawings and implement changes. − Utilized the firm’s internal digital archiving software to document previous projects.

Afniah Engineering Consultants | Dammam, Saudi Arabia Document Controller / Project Manager Assistant

Feb - Jun, 2018

− Coordinated all communications between the general contractor (GC) and my Afniah colleagues on a 750,000 sq.ft, six-story medical complex. − Utilized Microsoft Office Suite and to log, digitize, and archive all submittals delivered by the GC. − Handled the meeting minutes for the weekly meeting between Afniah, the GC, and the owner’s representatives. − Documented the progress of construction and ensured that all five members of the project team at Afniah were regularly reminded about all upcoming submittal deadlines.

Afniah Engineering Consultants | Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia Graphic Designer / 3D Visualizer

Jan - Feb, 2018

− Used Rhino, Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) to prepare drawings and presentations for client meetings and the firm internal publication. − Post-processed 3D renderings using Adobe Photoshop.

SKILLS

COMPETITIONS

Representation: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator

Machine Learning: RunwayML

Drafting: AutoCAD

Rendering: KeyShot, Twinmotion

3D Modeling: Rhino, Revit, Zbrush

Fabrication: Model Making, Laser Cutting, 3D Printing

Computational Design: Grasshopper, Python (Beginner)

Languages: English (Fluent), Arabic (Native)

Tangen Hall Furniture Competition | UPenn | Winner A competition organized by the Wharton School of Business to design a piece of furniture to be placed in the newly constructed Tangen Hall building.

Schenk-Woodman Competition | UPenn | 1st Place | Group Project A one-week intensive design competition organized by UPenn School of Design for 1st year students to design a temporary installation in Manayunk, Philadelphia.

Jul, 2020

Sept, 2019

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I. Next-Gen Precast Panel

Software Used

Rhino (Modeling)

Illustrator (Drawing)

Unprogrammed

Keyshot (Rendering)

Anywhere

Critic: Richard Garber | F19 | University of Pennsylvania Group Project with: Huadong Lin, Xiaoyi Peng

Role: Design, Drawing, Rendering, Project Coordination Manufacturer: Northeast Precast

A light-weight concrete panel that can be used as a screen wall. By creating openings in the panel, the weight is reduced and dynamic interaction between light and shadows emerges.

The openings also allow for air to pass through the panel to help with ventilation.

Due to the panel’s open design, placing steel rebars became a challenge. Our solution was to create a catalogue of rebar types and route around the opening.

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A plan showing the first layer of rebars

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4x

8x

8x

4x

1x

1x

A catalogue of all the rebar types needed for reinforcing the panel.

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A plan showing the second layer of rebars

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Speculative section of the panel

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A plan showing both layers of rebars

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Axon of Panel

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The mold before pouring the concrete.

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Close-up view of the steel reinforcements

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The finished panel sitting outside Northeast Precast in New Jersy.

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II. Aquarium Living

Software Used

Rhino (Modeling)

Illustrator (Drawing)

Residential Tower

Keyshot (Rendering)

New York City

Critic: Gisela Baurmann | F19 | University of Pennsylvania

In a city that is hyper condensed with people and buildings, providing a place to connect with nature is essential in a residence. The grand feature of the project is an aquarium that is placed in the center of the tower. The aquarium serves as both a visual connection with other species (i.e. fish, coral, grass, etc) and a circulation core. The aquarium does not only exist in the center but throughout the building, such as in between individual units and inside them.

Residents are always coexisting with the all species of the aquarium.

In a city that is hyper condensed with people and buildings, providing a place to connect with nature is essential in a residence. The grand feature of the project is an aquarium that is placed in the center of the tower. The aquarium serves as both a visual connection with other species (i.e. fish, coral, grass, etc) and a circulation core. The aquarium does not only exist in the center but throughout the building and inside the units.

Top: Early studies exploring concepts of aggregation and clustering.

Left: View of the hallway between the housing units the aquarium.

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Enlarged section of the aquarium.

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Enlarged typical floor plan showing the relationship between the aquarium and the individual units.

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Wall section detail.

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Wood Flooring Wood Board

Balcony Deck

Urethane Insulation

Bolt Steel Tube

Concrete Slab

Angeled Steel Plate

Close up of wall/slab/balcony deck connection.

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Peel-Away axon showing the relationship between a housing unit and the surrounding elements.

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View of an in-unit aquarium.

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III. Museum of Data Data Center and Museum Long Island City

Software Used

Rhino (Modeling)

Illustrator (Drawing)

Keyshot (Rendering)

Critic: Danielle Willems | S20 | University of Pennsylvania Group Project with: Michael Caine, Kerry Hohenstein

The subject of weight is present in the data centers current typology.

Iconic centers such as Digital Beijing and 33 Thomas Street, NY possess a brutal monolith heaviness which creates an interesting dichotomy with its immaterial data centers. In this spirit, we transition between elements of visual weight throughout the design. We propose to do this through uses of transparency, interplay of multiple geometric languages, and textural qualities through the structure.

Drawing from Brutalist and fictional architectural accounts, the building is to be a hulking mass ponderously inhabiting the site.

A space for reflection and engineered intrigue, as museums and technology lend themselves to be.

Rendering by: Abdullah Alsahafi.

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The ground floor of the building hosts multiple exhibit spaces and a public library.

Drawing by: Abdullah Alsahafi and Michael Caine.

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The underground floor hosts the data center and document storage facility.

Drawing by: Michael Caine.

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A cross section showing the different spaces of the data center and the museum.

Drawing by: Michael Caine.

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A longitudinal section highlighting the data storage facility.

Drawing by: Michael Caine.

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IV. Ambiguous Figures City Market / Maker Space Manayunk, Philadelphia Critic: Brian DeLuna | S19 | University of Pennsylvania

Software Used

Rhino (Modeling)

Illustrator (Drawing)

Keyshot (Rendering)

In the “The Architecture of The City,” Aldo Rossi introduces the idea of an other architecture. A design language that deviates from the traditional practices of architecture and focuses on objects instead. The object is seen as an underling guide to design the city while keeping rationality in mind.

The project explores the planar and the vertical building profiles in Manayunk. At first glance, Manayunk’s buildings seem to share extremely similar profiles. Looking closely, however, reveals that each building feature a unique exterior outline. Some have protruding cornices supported by brackets, while others have walls flushed with the roofs.

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Train Platform A

Admin Offices

Lecture Hall

Classrooms

Entrance

CNC Shop Robotics Lab

An axon showing the relationship between the different program spaces a, the pedestrian bridge, and the train platform.

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Site Plan

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Software Used

V. BIM

Revit (Modeling)

Mixed Use Philadelphia Critic: Patrick Morgan | S20 | University of Pennsylvania

Photoshop (Collaging)

The focus of this course was learning the major principles and techniques of Building Information Modeling and how it integrated into the architecture and construction industries.

The project is a speculative mix-use office building.

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20' - 7 1/2"

20' - 7 1/2"

20' - 7 1/2"

1 A301 A201 1

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20' - 8 3/4"

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DN

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UP

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A203

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20' - 8 3/4"

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A203

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FLOOR PLAN - TYPICAL OFFICE - LEVEL 3 1/8" = 1'-0"

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UP UP

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F F 2' 0" 2' 0"

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FLOOR PLAN - TYPICAL OFFICE - LEVEL 6 2 1/8" = 1'-0" FLOOR PLAN - TYPICAL OFFICE - LEVEL 6 1/8" = 1'-0"

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A201

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Date

Drawn By

Scale

Floor Plans Floor Plans

Date

Drawn By

Scale

A104 A104

3/5/2020 1:26:52 AM 3/5/2020 1:26:52 A AM ALSAHAFI A ALSAHAFI

1/8" = 1'-0" 1/8" = 1'-0"

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C:\Users\Abdullah\Desktop\UPenn - M.Arch\01 YEAR 2\Spring 2020\BIM\Week 6 - Assignment 5\Assignment 5 - OMO\Assignment 5 - WIP - Alsahafi - OMO - V2.rvt

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C:\Users\Abdullah\Desktop\UPenn - M.Arch\01 YEAR 2\Spring 2020\BIM\Week 6 - Assignment 5\Assignment 5 - OMO\Assignment 5 - WIP - Alsahafi - OMO - V2.rvt

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1901 WALNUT STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103

A201

1901 WALNUT STREET RITTENHOUSE PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103MIXED

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RITTENHOUSE MIXED

A301

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DN DN

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A203

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RCP - TYPICAL OFFICE - LEVEL 3 1/8" = 1'-0"

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RCP - TY 1/8" = 1

A201 1 1

A201

A301

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B B 2 A302 2 A302

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1901 WALNUT STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103

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1901 WALNUT STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103

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RITTENHOUSE MIXED

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REFLECTED CEILING PLANS REFLECTED CEILING PLANS Date

3/5/2020 1:26:55 AM A ALSAHAFI 3/5/2020 1:26:55 AM A ALSAHAFI

Drawn By 2 2

RCP - TYPICAL OFFICE - LEVEL 6 1/8" = 1'-0"

C:\Users\Abdullah\Desktop\UPenn - M.Arch\01 YEAR 2\Spring 2020\BIM\Week 6 - Assignment 5\Assignment 5 - OMO\Assignment 5 - WIP - Alsahafi - OMO - V2.rvt

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Date Drawn By

RCP - TYPICAL OFFICE - LEVEL 6 1/8" = 1'-0"

A113 A113

1/8" = 1'-0"

Scale

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1/8" = 1'-0"

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A

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1 A401

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BUILDING SECTION - NORTH/SOUTH 1/8" = 1'-0"

F E

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LEVEL 9 115' - 0" LEVEL 9 115' - 0"

EQ

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LEVEL 8 100' - 7 1/2"

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LEVEL 8 100' - 7 1/2"

LEVEL 7 86' - 3"

EQ

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LEVEL 7 86' - 3"

LEVEL 6 71' - 10 1/2"

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LEVEL 6 71' - 10 1/2"

LEVEL 5 57' - 6" LEVEL 5 57' - 6"

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2 A402

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Level B1 -12' - 0" 3 A401 1

Level B1 -12' - 0"

A310 3 A401 1

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Level B2 -24' - 0"

Level B3 -36' - 0" Level B3 -36' - 0"

Date Drawn By

BUILDING SECTIONS BUILDING SECTIONS

3/5/2020 1:27:02 AM A ALSAHAFI Date 3/5/2020 1:27:02 AM Drawn By A ALSAHAFI

A301

A301

1/8" = 1'-0"

Scale Scale

1/8" = 1'-0"

C:\Users\Abdullah\Desktop\UPenn - M.Arch\01 YEAR 2\Spring 2020\BIM\Week 6 - Assignment 5\Assignment 5 - OMO\Assignment 5 - WIP - Alsahafi - OMO - V2.rvt

Level 1 0' - 0"

1901 WALNUT STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103

Level 1 0' - 0"

RITTENHOUSE MIXED

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Level 2 14' - 4 1/2"

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Level 2 14' - 4 1/2"

C:\Users\Abdullah\Desktop\UPenn - M.Arch\01 YEAR 2\Spring 2020\BIM\Week 6 - Assignment 5\Assignment 5 - OMO\Assignment 5 - WIP - Alsahafi - OMO - V2.rvt

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LEVEL 3 28' - 9"

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LEVEL 3 28' - 9"

Level B2 -24' - 0"

150' - 6"

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LEVEL 4 43' - 1 1/2"

150' - 6"

LEVEL 4 43' - 1 1/2"

1901 WALNUT STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103

2 A402

RITTENHOUSE MIXED

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SECTION DETIAL - PARAPET AT CURTAINWALL 1 1/2" = 1'-0"

1901 WALNUT STREET

Level B3 -36' - 0"

RITTENHOUSE MIXED

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Exte Date Drawn By SECTION DETAIL - TYPICAL FOUNDATION 3 1 1/2" = 1'-0"

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LEVEL 9 115' - 0"

METAL COPING

PCRE CAST CONCRETE PANEL

PLYWOOD SHEETHING

BATT INSULATION

COLD FORMED METAL FRAMING

RIGID INSULATION

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SECTION DETIAL - PARAPET AT CURTAINWALL 1 1/2" = 1'-0"

LEVEL 9 115' - 0"

SECTION DETAIL - PARAPET AT CAVITY WALL 1 1/2" = 1'-0"

Exterior Details Date Drawn By SECTION DETAIL - TYPICAL FOUNDATION 3 1 1/2" = 1'-0"

3/5/2020 1:27:07 AM A ALSAHAFI

A401 Scale

1 1/2" = 1'-0"

C:\Users\Abdullah\Desktop\UPenn - M.Arch\01 YEAR 2\Spring 2020\BIM\Week 6 - Assignment 5\Assignment 5 - OMO\Assignment 5 - WIP - Alsahafi - OMO - V2.rvt

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1901 WALNUT STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103

Level B3 -36' - 0"

RITTENHOUSE MIXED

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VI. Neural Pathologies

Phase 1

Unprogrammed Governors island Critic: Karel Klein | F20 | University of Pennsylvania

Software Used

RunwayML (Machine Learning) Photoshop (Editing)

Ostagram (Style Transfer) Rhino, Maya (Modeling)

Zbrush (Sculpting)

Keyshot (Rendering)

This studio positioned AI as a partner, or collaborator, to the human decision maker, in order to challenge both the methods and the status of the artist/designer, and thereby obfuscating the notion that AI might be merely understood and deployed as a new kind of tool. This allowed me to collaborate with and employ the AI networks in order to develop different kinds of agencies for radical new material and tectonic forms and expressions in architecture.

Additionally, the studio deployed AI as genes – or more curiously, as pathogens. Pathogens, defined as specific causative agents of disease, can also be understood as disruptions or disordering of normative systems.

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A collection of pathogens generated by deep machine learning.

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Further developments of the pathogens using multiple methods indulging style transfer and collaging.

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Overview of the specimen.

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Tactile Receptors One of the many types of sensory devices found on the specimen body.

Tactile receptors respond to fine touch and pressure, but they also respond to low-frequency vibration or flutter.

Climate Protection

Compound Eye

Furthers for protection against

Composed of tiny units known as ommatidia.

harsh climates.

An ommatidium contains a cluster of photoreceptor cells surrounded by support cells and pigment cells.

Dorsal Ocellus Ocellus (plural: Ocelli), operate in conjunction with the compound eyes. Their visual sensory input is not enough for the specimen to move safely in its environment.

Connective Membrane The joint mechanism prevents harmful frictions between the different organs of the specimen. In addition, it allows the body of expands and contracts safely without the risk organ damage.

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A closeup detail of the specimen in a three dimensional view.

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VII. Neural Pathologies

Phase 2

Unprogrammed Governors island Critic: Karel Klein | F20 | University of Pennsylvania

Software Used

RunwayML (Machine Learning) Photoshop (Editing)

Ostagram (Style Transfer) Rhino, Maya (Modeling)

Zbrush (Sculpting)

Keyshot (Rendering)

In this phase, the design begins to investigate ways to re-imagine Governors Island with new textures and topographies. Particularly, the project envisions wood carvings and various types of vegetation taking over the island. The island become a porous landscape filled with many interior and exterior spaces.

The island is divided vertically into three layers, the existing geological soil, the new constructed ground, and finally the building. The textures encompass these three layers and make the separation ambiguous.

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A initial section study of the proposed project on Governors Island.

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A initial section study of the proposed project on Governors Island.

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South-facing section of the final proposal on Governors Island.

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North-facing section of the final proposal on Governors Island.

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Section showing the various textures covering the different layers of the island.

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VIII. Forms & Algorithms Unprogrammed Digital Space Critic: Ezio Blasetti | F20 | University of Pennsylvania

Software Used

Python, Grasshopper (Scripting) Photoshop (Editing)

Keyshot (Rendering)

The catalogue explores a pixel-based grid pattern. The pattern is influenced by a point attractor whose location changes the formation of the pattern. Additionally, there are other parameters that affect the pattern, such as UV Count “resolution” and an integer “F” multiplier.

The UV Count parameter smooths the ragged edges of the pixel pattern, while the F multiplier increase the density of the pattern. The moving point attractor changes the actual forms of the pattern.

z y x

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High-res pixel grid.

UV Count = 200

F multiplier = 0-20000

Attractor point moving along a parabola. All other parameters remain constant.

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High-res pixel grid.

UV Count = 200

F multiplier = 0-20000

Stationary attractor with increasing F multiplier and a constant resolution.

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IX. Chinatown Connections

Software Used

Rhino (Modeling)

Illustrator (Drawing)

Affordable Housing

Twinmotion (Rendering)

Chinatown, Philadelphia

Critic: Bryony Roberts | S21 | University of Pennsylvania Group Project with: Kevin He

Role: Research & Synthesis, Design, Drawing, Rendering

Philadelphia’s Chinatown is historically relevant because of its cultural legacy as an ethnic enclave as well as its continual persistence. As a community, Philadelphia Chinatown has organized around reclaiming ownership of its built environment for the needs of its inhabitants. Examining the historically damaging interventions to the site, such as Vine Street Expressway and surface parking lots for the Convention center, we see an enormous need for more spaces of play.

Using the publicly-owned surface parking lots in the area, our network of play stretches along the Vine Street Expressway and terminates next to Franklin Square Park to link the community to green space. Developed in phases, the network of play will utilize a community land trust model for equitable development. Physical interventions range from large-scale modular networks to green caps onto the expressway.

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IX. Solitude Pod* Desk Tangen Hall, Wharton School of Business, UPenn, Philadelphia Critic: Mikael Avery | S20 | University of Pennsylvania Furniture Consultant: Paul Downs Fabricator: Philadelphia Precision CNC

Software Used

Grasshopper (Parametric Design) Rhino (Modeling)

Illustrator (Drawing)

Keyshot (Rendering)

Being an incubator/maker space, the lobby of Tangen Hall is to going to be a very active place. While such spaces are great for fostering creativity and encouraging collaboration, they can become overwhelming, particularly for people who use them regularly or for extended periods of time. Therefore, it is crucial to provide an easily accessible “space of refuge.” A place inside this very active environment where people can enjoy a moment of privacy or semi-isolation.

The pod is meant to be that space. A space for impromptu working sessions to quickly get some light work done, like sending emails, double-checking fabrication files, etc.

* Winner of the ‘‘Tangen Hall Furniture Competition’’Currently Being Fabricated.

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Axon of the final design.

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Dimensioned Elevation Drawing.

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Interior Detail View

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Detail Exterior View

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Thank You! Abdullah Alsahafi 2021

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