Final Year Portfolio - Majd Bayakli

Project 1a: Architecture is a Verb

Map

Project 1b: Designing the Un/Measurable Site Drawings

Site investigation

Precedent Studies

Charette designs

A week long collaborative project with architectural engineers, civil engineers, and architects to produce a sustainable, community driven COP 28 center.

Design Development

Final Design Package

1:20 Section

TO EXTRACT

1.remove or take out, especially by effort or force

Similar:

take out - draw out - bring out - pull out – remove – withdraw – extricate – uproot – unsheathe – produce - free – release - deracinate

Defining the verb to extract is to take out or remove something that may or may not be of use and can be interpreted in different ways. Extracting a specific thing that would stand out or bring to your attention. Extracting an idea from research. Exploring the verb through the 100 meter line site brings many components from the measurable and unmeasurable. Extracting the design of forms, views from the canal, actively extracting and passively, the scale of buildings compared to each other, extracting the senses of the site. Located along the Dubai water canal the 100 meter line cuts through different building scales and typology

Beginning from a mass office block then cutting through a semi-open carpark building, along a smaller scale caffe, and finally ending at the openness of the canal. Visually extracting the building form and physically since Dubai water canal was completed the earth was extracted. Each user group of the site has different points that are extracted towards their personal interest. The stages throughout the lines highlights the main key measurable and unmeasurable aspects for the user observing different hierarchies of the spaces and elements. From the macro of the building design to the micro of the signages, extracting can bring out a piece of information that is relevant and necessary for the development of design

Ideation sketch of the verb ‘to extract’ using many different elements and intersecting them thus creating the intersection of extraction.

Sketch illustrating careful extractions of the 100 meter line, beginning of the journey looking into the user values and building extractions of scale.

Extracting key visuals of the 100 meter line site from the macro to micro establishing the context of extracting the building scale and user values along the line.

100 meter line site 50m

0m

Project 1b: Designing the Un/measurable - “TO EXTRACT”

Aerospace Office - NASA

-Extracting relevant research material from space

-Extracting the values of each part of the reaserch

-Understanding spatial requirements of the functional office

To Extract - Function

-Extracting valuable materials and information/ exploration

-Using a fragment of the bigger element/ picture

-Careful extractions of different elements to intersect and unlayer opportunities

Architectural Elements of NASA Aerospace Office:

-Introverted / Double height spaces / Limited window openings / High tech / Private / Hierarchy

-Initial testing iterations

Conference Room

-User group: Chief of technology, policy, strategy

Microelements

Laboratory

Extracting Space

Central Aerospace Computer Lab

Extracting Space

Aerodynamics safety Lab / resting space

-User group: Chief health and medical officer

Extracting Space

-User group: Chief scientist/ Chief climatre advisor

Extracting Space

-User group: Chief information officer and general council Space Material Workshop

-User group: Chief engineer

Project 1b: Designing the Un/measurable - “TO EXTRACT”

Testing Devices:

Function

Orientation

Good Access

Transparent

Iteration 1, Devices used:

Function

Orientation

Juxtapose/ Varying Orientation

Limited Access

Enclosure

Parellel Ground Various Ground Heights

Iteration 2, Devices used:

Good Access

Transparent

Circulation Circulation

Juxtapose/ Varying Orientation

-Combining two devices together to create further experimentations of extraction.

-pulling each leaver to figure out the key device element for ‘to extract’

Limited Access

Enclosure

-Using varying axis orientation of extraction to form a functional design while making the function sizes greater that the circulation percentage.

-Restricting access by elevating the model, different entry points and have the spaces more transparent used as a development model iteration.

Project 1b: Designing the Un/measurable - “TO EXTRACT”

Main Aerospace Computer Lab

Main Aerospace Computer Lab

Main Aerospace Computer Lab Space Material Workshop

Conference Room

Conference Room

Micro-elements Laboratory

Aerodynamics safety Lab / resting space

Aerodynamics safety Lab / resting space

Using the devices of function greater than circulation area and varying orientation to create a new spatial design relating the the verb extract, the different functions and circulation is a way to express the variation of the verb.

Having good access while enclosing the space while having a central area that creates the spaces extracted from it as a method of extraction through form and circulation.

Using the devices of transparency with varying ground heights/levels the model created expresses extraction within the spaces moving from one to another to create variations and methods.

Site:

Site 1 - Creek metro station

1.-Waterfront/ underdeveloped/ elevated metro/ bus terminal/ the site is already extracted from society, being underdeveloped limits the possibilities of extraction. -low activity/ low user groups/ no historical background.

Site Options

Site 2 - Karama metro station

Site:

1.-Residential and commercial (dense and dilapidated existing buildings) -elevated metro, semi-populated activity zone, medium activity levels, dry land majority hardscape, interesting extraction of metro station, parallel geometrical grid

1) Site selection criteria

Site investigation – Extracting the scale of the surrounding -identifying tangible extractions – extracting the value of point of exchange relating to manifesto the intersection

Site 3 - Selected Site - Baniyas metro station

1.dense/ mixed-use/ midrise/ underground metro. Many elements/components on site in relation to extract. - underground metro key extraction -ample variety of user groups/ interesting underlaying grid of urban infrastructure, multiple visual corridors, availability of natural landscape, challenging the verb.

busy city (opposing different elements and components that can be users/views/natural landscape/historical background/ passer buyers) / accessi

Site investigation -identifying tangi point of exchange relating to

Site Selection

1) Site selection criteria – ‘To Extract’ -Challenging the verb by h busy city (opposing to an already extracted quiet site from society) different elements and components that can be ‘extracted’ –users/views/natural landscape/historical background/busy scene passer buyers) / accessibility to city (urban connection)

Site investigation – Extracting the scale of the surrounding elements -identifying tangible extractions – extracting the value of the user’s activity within the site point of exchange relating to manifesto the intersection of extraction.

Site Selection:

Site 1 - Creek Metro

- waterfront/underdeveloped terminal -the site is already extracted from society underdeveloped activity/ low user groups

hardscape, interesting extraction of metro station, parallel geometrical grid.

hardscape, user groups

The primary road system extends along the site that generates edges and barriers with its urban structure showing the dense site and compact alleyways creating many in-between spaces and walkways. The two key features are the baniyas park and the dubai creek, giving character to the area.

The site has many different functions within walking distance. Majority of the use are hotels and residential buildings bringing in many people from around the world to explore the unique site. Baniyas park is a ket urban area within the site making the value of the green space increase to its users.

Designing the Intersection of Extraction - Architecture of Extraction

To Extract

The base stie plan shows the importance of baniyas park since it is the only open green space within an urban chaos.

To Extract

Majd Bayakli

can be explored through many series of devices and elements in the architectural world from the intangible and tangible realm. Now, spatially selecting the valuable components that create the term to extract. We believe that identifying the key design tool will pave the way of relating individuals to space and time.

relating individuals to space and time through the functions that are extracted from the values of interest. From the core of intersecting interactions between users and space, different opinions and values are carefully extracted to accommodate the specific type of function/ activity.

To Extract

is achieving it spatially through a growth with engagement of functions allowing passer buyers to spontaneously engage and breaking personal boundaries. This will cause a greater understanding of how architecture can be used to create human interaction and break the boundaries created by extracted common spaces. Surely extracting a sense of unity and equilibrium.

To Extract

technical visions of the structure of floating spaces, isolated yet connected, play with heights yet grounded, connecting nature to the sky There must be an experience in the vertical and horizontal axis extracted into the context. Extracting the ideation of building blocks should be breaking the edges and integrating into the context creating a contextually driven aesthetic. It is certain that skin and bone exploration of structure with an additional fin and body design brings along the extraction of identity in a world of similar design characteristics.

03 - Site investigation

Ignorance

Extracting user identity

The need to develop

03

Extraction of Scale/building geometry Extracting Values

struggle

Economic

calamity

Extraction of movement/ transitions/ transactions

Site investigation - Extracting the scale of the surrounding elements - examining the building void/mass -identifying tangible extractions - extracting the value of the user’s activity within the site - extracting points of exchange relating to manifesto the intersection of extraction

to survive

Site investigation categories:

Extraction of Scale/building geometry

Mapping road hierarchy vs movement

Extracting Values /hierarchies

Extraction of transitions

Extraction of Boundaries

Extraction of Movement Extraction of transactions

Mapping user circulation vs site safety

Pedestrian circulation paths through the site

High vehicular movement

Low vehicular movement

Hierarchy of vehicular movement within the area of intervention which leads to identifying potential access points where vehicular movement is low for safety.

Hierarchy of value on site

Safety locations away from the loud and fast moving roads extracting valuable points to analyze points of intervention

Representing user hotspots with a minimum of 5-7 people per location

70-80% of users only pass by through the area of intervention rather than stay within the perameter

Mapping transactions vs barriers vs orientation

Building extraction details

Interactive edge conditiontransaction

Site barriers

Grid orientation

The different values on the area of intervention show the relevance of the metro station on site.

Many physical boundaries exist on site with the vehicular intersection centralized and interactive edge conditions around it.

Visual corridors and details

Many people gather and rest in the park showing its importance on an urban scale, while the narrow pavements are busy with working passer buyers

Vertical circulation to ground level

Concourse Level

Assessing the area of intervention as a cube to extract vertical boundaries/barriers from the underground, ground, and the above. Thus selecting the specific area that includes the metro station from below to allow new opportunities to arise focusing on the extraction of boundaries accross different level variations

Underground internal vertical circulation

Platform Level

Under-Platform Level

Exploded diagram of the submerged metro station to enhance the knowledge of extracting barriers and boundaries easing the flow and allowing opportunity for the users to have an experiential journey from the underground to the ground level and to the above.

Baniyas metro station

Site Visual Mapping

Analysing the development of the site throughout the years which shows the park being extracted to build the metro station and the deviation of the roads which inform the development of the project.

Extracting concentrated user transitions

Focusing on the area of intervention extracting the various elements of analysis.

Upper

Extracting analysis of building scale, geometry, points of value

Extracting building relationship/ connections

Underground metro in relation with ground level. Locating the undergrund on the above

Metro line

Metro access on ground to underground level.

Location of escalators and stairs from underground to ground level.

scale

Area of Intervention

Ground

1:1000

scale 1:500

Maintain/give the rights to indigenous groups (highlighting global indigenous issues)

UNPFII (Permanent forum on indigenous issues indigenous groups/ people around the world, including U.A.E. bedouins, citizens, tourists , politicians, and world leaders.

-370 million indigenous people in the world (5% of world population)

-Extracting unique international cultures and combining in a safe modern space.

Economic and social development

Key Points:

1-Manifesto key points: ‘designing the intersection of extraction’ -extracting the core values of the site /intersecting interactions extracted from space and function-/Breaking boundaries and extracting passer buyers /-extracting the ideation of building blocks, breaking edges, boundaries, creating/revitalizing a design identity

2- Internal/external and landscape requirements – each space must create a certain flow and experience for every user passing by, engaging the community to the project and must be interactive. Many different elements must join to bring the extraction of interests to the site.

3- stakeholders to be considered: The local citizens of the surrounding site, the users impacted by the direct intervention should be able to positively interact and connect with the building. Making international indigenous people to flow through.

4- priorities/ hierarchy to design – the design must be unique to create an identity but be contextually driven. Experience from an urban to a human scale must have a positive impact and give value to the users.

5- spatial relationships – each space will be designed according to the hierarchy and level of importance given to the different floorplates, interactive, functional, and relaxing spaces relating to the senses.

6- The intended proposal should be a catalyst for the unique indigenous groups around the world and connect international cultures making it a one-of-a-kind project in the UAE.

7- The project will stand alone but be contextually driven to integrate with the urban and human scale.

Create a safe space for many international groups to interact UNPFII What they do:

Address issues faced and discuss indigenous issues related to -economy and social development

-culture

-environment

-education

-health

-human rights

design -1

Extracting the voids - designing within the voids

Identifying the voids within the cube which illustrates the free spaces within the underground, ground, and the above level with no physical mass/volume in the area.

design -2

Extracting Redundancy

Identifying the voids within the cube which illustrates the free spaces within the underground, ground, and the above level with no physical mass/volume in the area.

Extracting Redundancy - design input

Testing the office models on site.

Extarcting floorplate from existing building to guide the design process. Using the redundant building as an opportunity for enhancement.

Charette design -3 Extracting movement

Test/experimentation 2 - extracting movement

Nodes of high pedestrian flow/ 7-10 people every 5-10 minutes

elements

of design

Extruding pedestrian flow into 3D design

Pedestrianizing the site

To Extract

Extraction of Scale/building geometry

To Extract

Designing the Intersection of Extraction - Architecture of Extraction

Majd Bayakli

can be explored through many series of devices and elements in the architectural world from the intangible and tangible realm. Now, spatially selecting the valuable components that create the term to extract. We believe that identifying the key design tool will pave the way of relating individuals to space and time.

relating individuals to space and time through the functions that are extracted from the values of interest. From the core of intersecting interactions between users and space, different opinions and values are carefully extracted to accommodate the specific type of function/ activity.

is achieving it spatially through a growth with engagement of functions allowing passer buyers to spontaneously engage and breaking personal boundaries. This will cause a greater understanding of how architecture can be used to create human interaction and break the boundaries created by extracted common spaces. Surely extracting a sense of unity and equilibrium.

Designing the Intersection of Extraction Architecture of Extraction

To Extract

can be explored through many series of devices and elements in the architectural world from the intangible and tangible realm. Now, spatially selecting the valuable components that create the term to extract. We believe that identifying the key design tool will pave the way of relating individuals to space and time.

To Extract

To Extract

To Extract

relating individuals to space and time through the functions that are extracted from the values of interest. From the core of intersecting interactions between users and space, different opinions and values are carefully extracted to accommodate the specific type of function/ activity.

is achieving it spatially through a growth with engagement of functions allowing passer buyers to spontaneously engage and breaking personal boundaries. This will cause a greater understanding of how architecture can be used to create human interaction and break the boundaries created by extracted common spaces. Surely extracting a sense of unity and equilibrium.

technical visions of the structure of floating spaces, isolated yet connected, play with heights yet grounded, connecting nature to the sky

Designing elements of design

Majd Bayakli Site visual photo overlay on site section illustrating the continuous movement on site along with its unique character and key extractions

There must be an experience in the vertical and horizontal axis extracted into the context. Extracting the ideation of building blocks, should be breaking the edges and integrating into the context creating a contextually driven aesthetic. It is certain that skin and bone exploration of structure with an additional fin and body design brings along the extraction of identity in a world of similar design characteristics.

Site drawings

Empty

Section overlay

103m

Site section testing

95m

Empty plot

Testing through sectional studies of elevating the main road to the above. While allowing a new flow of pedestrians from the underground metro access the ground level easily extracting barries and boundaries throughout the site. Although the area below the elevated road may recieve less natural light the flow of user freedom increases.

Precedent Studies

Habitat 67 / Safdie Architects

354 identical and completely prefabricated modules, also known as “boxes,” were used in the construction of Habitat 67. These modules were stacked in a variety of configurations and were connected to one another by steel cables. Because each apartment is constructed from a group of one to four “boxes” that are 600 square feet in size and arranged in a different way, the apartments range in both shape and size.

To get to each apartment, there is a maze of pedestrian streets and bridges, as well as three vertical cores of elevators for the upper floors. Facilities for service and parking are located on the ground floor, but they are physically separated from the circulation routes used by tenants.

The exterior of the building is characterized by a stacking of identical geometric forms that are arranged in a variety of ways. The workplaces are enveloped in a rectangular ring of glass facades that are obscured by a white filter membrane. The ground-floor functions are housed in separate volumes, which, in turn, produce openings that serve as public entrances and draw the surrounding neighborhood into the heart of the structure.

Pixel is a mainly residential complex made up of 7 buildings ranging from studio to 3 bedroom apartments catering to the younger generation with a central main area for people to gather and enjoy the continuous edge of cafes and retial stores located within a new development in abu dhabi, U.A.E.

Denmark Architecture Center project Pixel - MVRDV

Underground metro system - concourse level -6m

Area of Intervention

Exploring the area of intervention through model making. highlighting the brown parts as unmovable space while the white/ clear parts are buildable and usable through the XYZ axis.

restricted zones

vertical circulation to platform level

access points

UN officials families

tourist circulation

existing users

the area of intervention required a lot of plays with the underground, ground, and the above; consequently, having an elevated structure to keep the ground floor open and connected is crucial to understanding the development of the design and output; resultantly, structural is the most important aspect of solidifying the design outcome. two potential structures during the early stages of design development, with an established structure plan included within. The one-of-a-kind structure is both innovative and contributes to the overall user experience.

Understanding the underground user journey and introducing two new access points that lead into the project thus extracting the ground floor from above and creating a direct journey for the users.

existing road kept

sky

The initial structural strategy explored the different modules based on their respective locations which later on developed into interconnecting the modules and clusters to create a steel frame that holds the structure which attaches to three main structural cores.

Environmental Analysis

The context of Baniyas park and its surrounding area allows an ample amount of sunlight throughout the site while the midto high rise towers provide some sort of shading for the users comfort it is key for the project to be design to allow sunlight and wind patterns to be used in an efficient way through active and passive sustainable strategies and technology. occaisonal winds pass through the site but are deflected from the facades of the building leaving corridors of wind force to pass.

Through the design development of creating the form it was evident that rectagular blocks for the building created a very non-dynamic, imposing, and unresponsive to the environmental conditions. Once the final design was completed, the use of many internal courtyards breaking the mass up gave the site a much healthier and sustainable approach to the response of its surroundings. The shading from the harsh sun has scattered across the site giving back to the users the comfort that they need to continue their life. It is shown the multiplte spots of cool areas within, below, and beyond the strucutre due to its contexually driven piece of architecture.

walk as ground extraction within area of intervention

conceptual massing studies

extension of park softscape

private spaces - UN offices / conference rooms - 2300sqm

public wing spaces - exhibition /metro access -950 sqm

cafe / library / bookshop -1300 sqm

structure attached to core structures on ground suspended structures

Sun path Wind

Initial relation back to original office models.

Initial starting point of scaled rectangular structures

The building envelope is made up of many different clusters of cubes, and these cube clusters may combine in certain functions similar to the building’s structural system. The building’s structural system is derived from the cores of the existing building, and it provides support for the suspended cube design throughout the project.

The exploded axonometric diagram shows three key concepts within the structure. The three main cores are evident to attach to the modulles. The existing redundant building is being re-used and the cores are elongated to provide space for additional modules in the future as well as a visual connection from afar.

Design development experimental section.

Modular Design

Good Access

Transparent

Limited Access

Transparent Enclosure Enclosure

Parellel Ground Various Ground Heights

The modular clusters were revisted from the office models to implement function in relation to the design. For office spaces, having good access while providing enclosure creates a connection between the users and the building. The second module used for the exhibition spaces for different level changes while having a sense of transparency relating to the UN agency UNPFII. The modules connect with each other to form connected clusters that provide structural support.

Module - UN offices group - 255 sqm

Module - Exhibition space 100 sqm

Module - Office space 100 sqm

Module - Exhibition space 200 sqm

Existing Building

Bookshop & Library

UN - Offices

Co-working space

Auditorium - conference hall

Temporary exhibitions

Indigenous groups permanent exhibitions

Indoor/Outdoor Cafe

Existing underground metro station

Materials

aluminum panelling stone Textured brown concrete

Textured grey concrete

steel double glazed windows

Textured beige concrete

The materials selected reflects the surrounding site context giving a sense of cultural similarity and identity

The detail shows a module attached to a main core used as the structural strategy with a column thickness of 0.9m to hold the whole building.

Elevation C

Interior Views

UN agency office spaces

Exhibition spaces

Collaborative Design Project

Appendix 1

-Project aim: A week-long project with architectural engineers, civil engineers, and architects to design a sustainable community focused building for COP 28Conference of Parties to the United Nations Frramework Commention on Climate Change (UNECCC).

- Jacobs / Heriot-Watt University, Dubai.

Appendix 02 - Learning and Unlearning

A series of exercises and techniques inspired by the Bauhaus teaching methods.