Dianne El Abd- AUC - ARCH 473/3522

Student Portfolio

Dianne Harvey

The American University in Cairo (AUC)

School of Sciences and Engineering - Department of Architecture

ARCH 473/3522 - Digital Design Studio and Workshop (Spring 2019)

Student portfolio documenting samples of work submitted along the course, including research, experimentation, 3D modeling, digital fabrication, parametric design and modeling, physical model realisation and analysis.

Student name: Dianne Harvey Student ID: 900191759

© The American University in Cairo (AUC), May 2019

Dianne Harvey ArchitectureStudent

About me:

My name is Dianne Harvey, I’m a senior majoring in architectural engineering. I’ve always wanted to work in interior design which is why I chose architecture. I’ve always loved art and have been painting for as long as I could remember, which is why I always try to re ect my artistic side into my designs at university. I also love sports and have been playing since I started school.

I train kickboxing at an academy and play football for fun. I was born in Egypt and have lived here my whole life, but I love to visit new countries during my summer holiday.

I love travelling and getting to know new cultures and just explore new places. I also love hiking and doing adventures that I wouldn’t normally participate in. This has been rooted in me since I was young from my scouts group, as we are always going on camps and new adventures. I believe scouts was a huge part pf my childhood that taught me a lot about discipline and dedication, which I’m very grateful for as it helped a lot in my university life.

Table of Contents

01 Project 1 02 Project 2

GypsumForm

ExperimentingWithMaterials

Thesearetherstthreetrialsthatwerecarriedout,howevertheydidnotturnoutasexpectedduetosome parametersthatwerenotconsideredwhencarryingoutthemodel.Forexample,intrial3,thegypsum layerwastoothinsoitwasveryfragile.

Trial1: Intrial1,Iatteptedtoputobjectsofdierentshapesinto thegypsum.However,my moldwasaboxsoitwasvery limiting

Trial2:

Intrial2,Iattemptedtoworkwitha plasticbagandaddedacircularobjectthatcutsthroughtheform.

Trial3: Intrial2,Ialsousedaplasticbag andtiedthemupinaverticalpositionandthenpouredthegypsumoverthem

Trial4:SelectedPanel

Approach to trial 4:

Photos of process:

Sticking the tape on the plastic bag and create the desired shape

Start pinching and creating more interesting shapes

Tape the plastic bag as desired and then stick it to the existing mold

Make the formula of the gypsum and start mixing

Carefully pour the gypsum into the mold

FormworkandProcess

Parametersconsidered:

Plastic bag folding creates overlaps that give this natural cave - like e ect

Pouring the gypsum carefully and taking into consideration that some parts should be longer than others created an interesting e ect

Tilted bowl created the surface to be dynamic and not a at surface (gravity)

Relationship Diagram:

Work ow Diagram:

GrasshopperDe nition

Formgeneration

Array lines in one axis & change spacing between them randomly

Manipulate lines amongst the Z direction di erentlyCut

Loft lines

Create another array of lines & manipulate di erently

Loft both curves together

erentlyCut curves into three di erent segments

Start playing with the end points of curve to create folding e ect

Choose selected curve

SinglepaneldesignvariationsCreation

variationsCreationofdi erentiterations:

Experiment with different graph to create several iterations of the single panel. This could be done through trying different graph types and looking at the outcome

Sine graph

Interpolated graph

Parabola graph

One datum that is subdivided into Panels are repeated amongst drawn curve

Change the end points of the curves and allow them to create the folded flowy shape

ClusterGlobalandLocalParameters

Spacing between panelsNumber amongst Y direction

Number of panels amongst X direction

Global Parameters:

- How many panels in the X direction

- How the panels are moving amongst curve

Local Parameters:

- Thickness of spacing between panels

- Thickness of each individual panel

Different variations of the cluster

I chose this skin to try and imagine it as a building skin facade. I imagined it to be a skin that could be flexible and may change accordingly to the sunlight, to allow the building to be more eco friendly. The panels could openup during winter to allow sunlight, and close during the summer time to prevent too much heat from going inside of the building. The skin facade is also very aesthetic and can be made using sustainable materials.

Precedents

These panels are arrayed in a way that allow sunlight to enter differently throughout different seasons.

(Sowers,

(Sowers, Charles)

Charles)

Re ections

In this phase, I learned how to experiment with different formwork materials and with gypsum. I also learned how to predict the parameters without seeing the end result first. The phase after was then trying to transform this physical model into a digital one. The first step here was writing down the parameters that I considered when I was doing it manually. It was also very interesting to see how creating different variations of one model may completely change the outcome.

Parametric Facade

The aim behind this project is to create a skin facade that is parametrically generated. This skin facade should consider all kinds of environmental factors, such as the sun, radiation, shade and shadows, etc. The building that we are c reating a facade for is the National Bank of Egypt in the South Teseen Road. The orientation of the facade that we are designing is on the south orientation, therefore a lot of sunlight and radition enters the building throughout the day, Therefore, we must nd a solution to this problem with our facade designs. When desigining this skin facade, we must put into consideration all the parameters in order for it work in real life.

SiteAnalysis

Site location & orientation:

This building is a 7 story building, and it’s main facade is facing the south side. This means that it is extremely exposed to the sunlight, and that a double skin facade is needed to help control the temperature and stop the building from overheating.

EnvironmentalAnalysis

Strongest winds come from the north direction, especially the north east. The south side barely gets any winds, which means that there may be a chance of the facade overheating.

Due to the extreme sunlight during the summer, especially during the months between March and August, Shade is needed

Dry bulb temperature high from March to October

Direct southern sunlight

Normal glazed glass

A) Open natural convection: The upper part of the outer skin or its upper surface is where the air exits, while the bottom part or its lower surface is where the air enters.

B) Closed natural convection: Air is trapped between the two crusts, where it naturally circulates because the heat uxes of the inner and outer crusts are di erent. This system operates by natural convection

C) Forced convection: Using this technique, a fan moves warm air from the central gap to the room or building entrance.

(Norouzi and Motalebzade)

Di erent types of double skin facades according to di erent structures

(Norouzi and Motalebzade) (Norouzi and Motalebzade)

DoubleSkinFacades

Why are double skin facades used?

Double skin facades are used to protect the building from incoming heat that comes from solar energy. This solar energy then enters the building through the glazing of the building facade.

(Norouzi and Motalebzade)

There are two kinds of uses for solar energy in a building. The first method is a direct passive system. This is where sunlight directly passes through the walls that are transparent, which leads to the heating of the internal building parts. The second method is the indirect passive system. This is where walls that are energy saving such as a water wall, absorbs the energy, so then it also leads to the heating of the internal building parts.

(Stansfield)

ResponsiveArchitecture

Responsive architecture is when the form is designed to change its shape, depending on the season, day/ night, weather conditions, sunrays, and many other factors. It is also designed to adapt and respond to the environment around it.

This can be done through a facade design. It can be exible and change its shape when needed. This can also be done using motors to automatically open or close the windows when needed, if there is a temperature change. This can also be done using solar panels. They can respond to the sunlight and change their positions to face the sunlight.

(Stansfield)

(Boake and Arch)(Dragana)

(CCS Group)

Precedents

Wave Wall by Charles Sowers:

Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), Livingston, LA.

This consists of a wall of 122 wind activated pendulumns that are magnetically connected with the ones around it in order to move the whole wall as a surface together. When the wind gets too strong, the magnetically coupling e ect breaks between the pendulums This can be done automatically or manually.

SolarRadiationAnalysis

From the key range and the colours we can see that the dynamic alterations led to a much improved lux being cast on the building

SolarRadiationAnalysis

The solar radiation here was applied to the slabs of the building.

SunpathAnalysis

The sun path was then added with the location of egypt, to correctly analyse how the sun path will affect the sunlight going inside of the building

Paanels opening up and closing up depending on sun attractor point and sun rays.

Fabrication

Time needed before optimisation

Time needed after optimisation. This was achieved by rotating the facade.

The slabs here are o setted towards and outwards, creatin a staggering e ect that will cast shadows on one another. There is also an opening in the rst three oors of the building, acting as an atrium.

FacadeConceptandDesign

Panels that are magnetically connected to one another and change accordingly to the sunlight that enters the building throughout the day.

FacadeConceptandDesign

The idea behind this facade is that it is kinetic and the panels rotate according to the sunlight that enters the building. When the sun is needed during winter, the panels open up and allow the sun in to heat up the building. However, during the summertime, the panels closeup more when there is sunlight to stop the building from overheating.

Plans

The plans show how the shade was casted from one oor on to the other.

Ground FloorFirst FloorSecond Floor

Sections

Sectional 3D shot showing how the slabs vary throughout the foors, and showing the openings in the rst few oors.

Sections

This section shows how the double skin facade is held. The structure is composed of a vertical and horizontal grid (horizontal grid at slabs) that are carrying steel rods holding the hexagonal panels amongst the facade.

Blow up of section showing structural details

Elevation

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VRExperience

This experience was a very interesting one, because you could actually imagine yourself inside of the building. This also allowed me to look at how the panels would change with the sunlight. It also allowed me to closesly look at my structural system and make sure there are no mistakes.

Di erent timings of the day seen through the VR. It was interesting to see the pattern and the experience that the panels create through the shadows.

Re ections

This phase was personally my favourite one. I got to see how my form could be turned into a real skin facade for a building. There were a lot more parameters that needed to be considered in this phase. It was also very interesting to attach it to the building, see how the sun in its location affects it, and analyse the shade and shadows inside of the building. We also got to experience the inside of our buildings with the VR and it was very interesting to see how the shadows change throughout the day, especially since my facade is a kinetic facade.

Biblography

• /author/dragana-petrushevska-274/. “France’s Akuo Energy to Build 270 MLN Euro Solar Park in N. Macedonia - Govt.” Renewablesnow.com, renewablesnow.com/news/frances-akuo-energy-tobuild-270-mln-euro-solar-park-in-n-macedonia-govt-762796/.

• Boake, T., and M. Arch. “[PDF] Hot Climate Double Façades : Avoiding Solar Gain: Semantic Scholar.” [PDF] HOT CLIMATE DOUBLE FAÇADES : Avoiding Solar Gain | Semantic Scholar, 1 Jan. 1970, www. semanticscholar.org/paper/HOT-CLIMATE-DOUBLE-FA%C3%87ADES-%253A-Avoiding-Solar-GainBoake-Arch/b41b7dbef13cfc93c54f68de3811ab28736a756f.

• Hosseini, Seyed Morteza, et al.“A Morphological Approach for Kinetic Façade Design Process to Improve Visual and Thermal Comfort: Review.”Building and Environment, vol. 153, 2019, pp. 186–204., doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.02.040.

• “Modern Building Facade Ideas That Are Changing the Feel of Present-Day Architecture.”CCS Group, ccsgroup.co.in/modern-building-facade-ideas-that-are-changing-the-feel-of-present-day-architecture/.

• Norouzi, Rouhollah, and Rogaye Motalebzade. “E ect of Double-Skin Façade on Thermal Energy Losses in Buildings.” Exergetic, Energetic and Environmental Dimensions, 2018, pp. 193–209., doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-813734-5.00012-3.

• Stans eld, Kat.“Place-Responsive Solar Design on Buildings - CPRE, the Countryside Charity.”PlaceResponsive Solar Design on Buildings - CPRE, the Countryside Charity, www.oldsite.cpre.org.uk/ what-we-do/energy-and-waste/climate-change-and-energy/update/item/4383-place-responsivesolar-design-on-buildings.

• “Wave Wall.”Charles Sowers, www.charlessowers.com/new-page-2.