Mahi Tawfik- AUC - ARCH 473/3522

Student Portfolio

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: Mahi Tawfik

Student ID: 900181803

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

Mahi Twfik Architecture Student

My name is Mahi Tawfik, I’m majoring in architectural engineering at AUC. At the very begin of the semester, I had zero knowledge of computational design. The beginning of project 1 was fun as we started exploring different materials and creating irregular forms. Later on we were introduced to the grasshopper program which I found extremely difficult at the beginning. Midway I started to get familiar with it and actually found it a very interesting designing program.After experimenting with grasshopper’s tools and trying to create different panels and using multiple array tools, I observed that small changes make a huge difference in designing on grasshopper programs. The forms that have been created can be used as a skin facade, shading device, or tensile structure. Overall, it may be used in many different aspects.

Table of Contents

01 Project 02 Project

Gypsum & Glue Gun Sticks Forms

Exploring Materials

Attempt 1

Materials Used: Aluminium Foil

Ratio: 1:1 Process:

Attempt 2 Materials Used: Aluminium Foil Ratio: 1:1 Process:

Attempt 3

Materials Used: Gloves, Sprite Can Ratio: 1:2 Process:

GRASSHOPPER

Attempt 1 (Failed)

Rectangle in order to control points

Attempt 2

Rectangle Form

Sphere divided randomly inorder to create the spider-web pattern as in the physical model

Lines to stretch the sphere

Created strings (spider-web)

Strings similar to physical phase

DIFFERENT VARIATIONS

- Square Form

- Can’t contol points

- Thin strings (spider-web)

- Rectangle form

Decreased number of strings

- Irregular Form

-Increased number of strings & thickness

-More incontrole

Leanier Array

Top view Side view

No connection

Polar Array

Lost conection

Leanier Array

Top view 3D

Changed Scale of pannels

Irregular Pannels (Local parameters)

CLUSTER VARIATION

Increase size of the panel

3D

Change spacing and numbers of pannels

Leanier array Size controle

Used irregular form which lead to creation of connectivity among pannels

Scale change Polar array

After experimenting with grasshopper’s tools and trying to create different panels and using multiple array tools, I observed that small changes make a huge difference in designing on grasshopper program. The forms that have been created can be used as a skin facade, shading device, or tensile structure.

PROJECT DISCRIPTION

In this project, the objective is to explore and parametrically generate a prototype for a building façade skin that takes into consideration issues of environmental comfort, spatial relations and human aspects using a passive approach. We are required to develop a parametrically driven building skin for the building shown (National Bank of Egypt Branch, South Teseen Rd, New Cairo). The main façade of the building is in a South/Southwest orientation, and so we are required to devise an appropriate envelope that provides adequate shading and sun protection.

The building skin designs should originate from my explorations in Project 1. We should capitalize on ideas captured in the material exploration and the subsequent single/cluster iterations to develop conceptual approaches based on the derived parameters, rules and relationships in order to define design alternatives. My approach should devise a parametric logic for the design of the façade skin based on environmental, spatial, functional, and/or aesthetic considerations. I am to assume functional and behavioral scenarios and settings during your investigation.

CLASSIFICATION OF DOUBLE SKIN FAÇADE SYSTEMS BY TYPE:

Buffer System:

These façades date back some 100 years and are still used. They predate insulating glass and were invented to maintain daylight into buildings while increasing insulating and sound properties of the wall system. They use two layers of single glazing spaced 250 to 900 mm apart, sealed and allowing fresh air into the building through additional controlled means – either a separate HVAC system or box type windows which cut through the overall double skin. Shading devices can be included in the cavity. A modern example of this type is the Occidental Chemical/Hooker Building in Niagara Falls, New York. This building allows fresh air intake at the base of the cavity and exhausts air at the top.

Extract Air System:

These are comprised of a second single layer of glazing placed on the interior of a main façade of double-glazing (thermopane units). The air space between the two layers of glazing becomes part of the HVAC system. The heated “used” air between the glazing layers is extracted through the cavity with the use of fans and thereby tempers the inner layer of glazing while the outer layer of insulating glass minimizes heat-transmission loss. Fresh air is supplied by HVAC and precludes natural ventilation. The air contained within the system is used by the HVAC system. These systems tend not to reduce energy requirements as fresh air changes must be supplied mechanically. Occupants are prevented from adjusting the temperature of their individual spaces. Shading devices are often mounted in the cavity. Again the space between the layers of glass ranges from around 150 mm to 900 mm and is a function of the space needed to access the cavity for cleaning as well as the dimension of the shading devices. This system is used where natural ventilation is not possible (for example in locations with high noise, wind or fumes)

Twin Face System:

This system consists of a conventional curtain wall or thermal mass wall system inside a single glazed building skin. This outer glazing may be safety or laminated glass or insulating glass. Shading devices may be included. These systems must have an interior space of at least 500 to 600 mm to permit cleaning.These systems may be distinguished from both Buffer and Extract Air systems by their inclusion of openings in the skin to allow for natural ventilation. The single-glazed outer skin is used primarily for protection of the air cavity contents (shading devices) from weather. With this system, the internal skin offers the insulating properties to minimize heat loss. The outer glass skin is used to block/slow the wind in high-rise situations and allow interior openings and access to fresh air without the associated noise or turbulence.

Hybrid System:

The hybrid system combines various aspects of the above systems and is used to classify building systems that do not “fit” into a precise category. Such buildings may use a layer of screens or non-glazed material son either the inside or outside of the primary environmental barrier. The Tjibaou Center in New Caledoniaby Renzo Piano may be used to characterize this type of Hybrid system.

The Air Space:

Appropriate design of the air space is crucial to the double façade. Variations allow for improved airflow, sound control and other benefits. The actual size of the airspace (non leasable area), not the expense of the additional glass layer, can be the economic factor that deters commercial implementation of these systems. The cavity in the Occidental Chemical building is 1.5 m wide. The cavity in the Caisse du Depotet Placement in Montreal is 150 mm wide. As a result of the reduction in air space with, to the casual observer and office occupant, the wall section at the CDP does not greatly differ from a traditional façadesystem that incorporated both fixed and operable glazing panels.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Double skin facades are typically made up of two layers of glass with a transitional void through which air can flow. Natural ventilation of the cavity, a fan aiding air circulation, or mechanically operated ventilation wings are necessary to prevent excessive heat and condensation. Stick, double skin, and unitized systems are among the more expensive structural elements due to their numerous and diverse components.

PRECEDENTS

Doha Tower

Metal grating on each story provides additional shade by utilizing the solar chimney effect. Acts as a shade mechanism, shielding the entire glass front of the tower from the sun and sandstorms. The screens continue to serve their original Islamic function of shading the structure from high temperatures and protecting it from the unpleasant sand residue found throughout the region. The facade reduces total cooling load by 20%.

Al-Bahr Tower

using a parametric description of the actuated facade panels’ shape, the team was able to simulate their behavior in response to solar exposure and shifting incidence angles throughout the year.

A screen of this type is expected to reduce solar gain by more than 50% and reduce the building’s need for energy-intensive air conditioning.

Each triangle has a fiberglass coating and is designed to react to the movement of the sun to reduce solar gain and glare. In the evening, all the screens close.

AFFORDANCES AND LIMITAIONS OF DOUBLE SKIN FACADE SYSTEMS

Egypt has a hot desert dry climate characterized by high levels of direct sunlight and sunny skies. These climatic factors necessitate specific façade treatments to minimize heat gain.

Advantages

Reduce heating demand, providing views, control solar gain, thermal, insulation, enhanced security, allowing natural ventilation

serves as pollution barrier, reduced artificial lightening m-Increased building life span, Improve occupants’ comfort, future proofing, providing emergency egress, acoustic protection etc.

BASIC ANALYSIS OF SITE CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Egypt has a hot desert dry climate characterized by high levels of direct sunlight and sunny skies. These climatic factors necessitate specific façade treatments to minimize heat gain.

Overheating from direct sunlight on the facade

The building is mostly made of glass, which creates a greenhouse effect by allowing sunlight to penetrate and become trapped inside. Because the facade is smooth, the sun’s rays are not impeded.

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

Radiation Analysis

Sun Light Hour Analysis

FACADE CONCEPT AND DESIGN

The form of the facade is designed according to the dirction of the sunlight rays. The solid and voids are designed based on the amount of light that needs to enter the building that matches the users experience.

Mahi

SLAB MODIFICATION

The slabs are offseted and with diffrent formes inorder to shade one another and match the form of the parametric facade.

1st Floor 2nd Floor 3rd Floor

4th Floor 5th Floor 6th Floor

Mahi

Biblography

- Different Types of Shading Devices. | Download Scientific Diagram. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/ Different-types-of-shading-devices_fig1_337904958.

- “Kinetic Architecture and Kinetic Facades.” Alubuild, 18 May 2022, https://alubuild.com/en/architecture-kinetic-facades/#:~:text=The%20kinetic%20fa%C3%A7ade%20is%20an,thus%20changing%20the%20

indoor%20environment.

- Ghatge, Prajakta ranjeet. “20 Creative Kinetic Facades around the World - Rethinking the Future.” RTF |

Rethinking The Future, 14 Jan. 2022, https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architects-lounge/a429-20-creative-kinetic-facades-around-the-world/.

- Cao, Lilly. “What Are Kinetic Facades in Architecture?” ArchDaily, ArchDaily, 14 Aug. 2019, https://www. archdaily.com/922930/what-are-kinetic-facades-in-architecture.

- Souza, Eduardo. “How Do Double-Skin Façades Work?” ArchDaily, ArchDaily, 20 Aug. 2019, https://www. archdaily.com/922897/how-do-double-skin-facades-work.

- Author links open overlay panelSeyed MortezaHosseiniaPersonEnvelopeMasiMohammadiaAlexanderRosemannbTorstenSchrödercJosLichtenbergc, et al. “A Morphological Approach for Kinetic Façade

Design Process to Improve Visual and Thermal Comfort: Review.” Building and Environment, Pergamon, 2 Mar. 2019, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132319301416.