Digital Portfolio

Digital Representation Portfolio The American University in Cairo Department of Architecture ARCH 273/1521 Dr. Tamir el Khouly Jana Salah Osman 900213136

Table of Contents 01.

03.

Exploring 3D Form Composition & Curvilinear Surfaces

Mini Project 1

In Lab Task 1 Assignment 1 Assignment 2

02.

Visualization & Rendering Assignment 3

04.

Intro to B

In Lab Task 2 In Lab Task 3 Assignment 4

BIM Concept

05.

07.

Assignment 5

Project Portfolio & Paper

Interoperability

Final Project

06.

Visualization & Rendering Assignment 6

01

Exploring 3D Form Composition & Curvilinear Surfaces In lab task 1

2.0%

Assignment 1

6.0%

Assignment 2 6.0% Overall Weight 14.0% Overall Score

12.36%

In Lab Task 1 Requirements and Objectives: For this in lab task, were required to create a 3D model of Zaha Hadid's Riverside Museum, Glasgow, Scotland using Rhino. This task aimed to teach us how to convert simple 2D curves into an object with 3D dimensions.

Notes: - When using loft, select the curves in order to prevent a distorted shape.

Skills Learnt: This task allowed me to practice the loft and patch command which I later discovered - throughout the course- to be one of the most frequently used tools in Rhino that helps achieve my designs most accurately.

Challenges and Solutions: Some curves did not have a smooth surface after lofting and seemed distorted. However, I redid the loft command and double checked that all arrows were pointing in the same direction.

Reflection: Although I was a bit skeptical about my abilities in digital design, for my first task in the course, I found it to be very easy and did not face much difficulties.

Deployment of Rhino Commands: 37 / 40 Showing Proficiency in using Rhino: 27 / 30 Accuracy of the final project: 26 / 30

Grade Received: 1.8 / 2.0 %

Assignment 1 Requirements and Objectives: For this assignment, we were required to create a composition using Rhino which demonstrates two opposing concepts. Not only did this assignment aim to enhance 3D modelling using Rhino skills, but it also aimed to train us to represent abstract ideas through 3D design.

Notes: - Avoid direct analogy - Make sure to intersect shapes - Make sure to have clarity in delivering abstract concept Skills Learnt: - Creating several copies of the same orthogonal shapes - Bringing meaning behind composition Challenges and Solutions: I did not find this assignment to be challenging in terms of implementation as much as it was challenging to think of a composition that was not too literal while also adequately portraying the opposing concepts.

Reflection: I chose my opposing concepts to be danger vs safety as personally, when I envision these two words, I could immediately translate safety into a sphere and danger into sharp edges. I then built the composition up from there.

Design Concept: 30.5 / 40 3D Form Composition: 24 / 30 Proficiency in using Software: 17 / 20 Neatness and Precision: 8 / 10

Grade Received: 4.77 / 6.0 %

Assignment 2 Requirements and Objectives: For this assignment, we were required to create a scaled 3D composition of Calatrava’s Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport Railway Station, France.

Notes: - Work on separate layers to avoid confusion and stay organized - When tracing objects, scale them Skills Learnt: - Precision in work and representing an accurately scaled composition - Creating surfaces, meshes and wireframes - Assigning different materials and working on different layers in Rhino Challenges and Solutions: It was more difficult to work while being confined to specific measurements.

However, dividing the curves of the building into separate profiles and rotated each curve separately.

Reflection: In the end, I felt like dividing such a seemingly complex shape and extracting it into separate curves with separate layers helped me achieve an accurate output. Also, incorporating materials and extracting wireframes to form windows was an essential step towards evolving my skills in rhino as it gave the 3d objects a more realistic feel.

Deployment of Rhino Commands: 38 / 40 Showing Proficiency in using Rhino: 28 / 30 Accuracy of the final project: 28 / 30 Bonus: 2.5 / 3

Grade Received: 5.79 / 6.0 %

02

Visualization & Rendering Assignment 3 6.0% Overall Weight 6.0% Overall Score

4.47%

Assignment 3 Requirements and Objectives: For this assignment, we were required to render and create a scene for the building from the previous assignment.

This assignment aims to train us on how to render around light and shadow and create depth for an image.

Notes: - Hide horizon line to create depth Skills Learnt: - Utilizing the tools of photoshop Challenges and Solutions: In this assignment, it took me quite bit of time to get used to photoshop. Firstly, I had a hard time remembering commands and differentiating between using Photoshop on a PC and macbook.

Also, I struggled to make the image look realistic. In the end, I discovered that Photoshop is about practice.

Reflection: I found this assignment to be difficult due to my unfamiliarity with Photoshop.

In the end, I was not proud of the outcome as although I assigned materials on the building adequately, the scene around the building appeared unrealistic.

Dominance of Object: 15 / 20 Angle of Perspective Shot: 7.5 / 10 Light and Shadows: 15.5 / 20 Proportions of Canvas: 7.5 / 10 Harmony: 15 / 20 Perspective and Scale: 14/20

Grade Received: 4.47 / 6.0 %

03

Mini Project Phase 1

5.0%

Phase 2 10.0% Overall Weight 15.0% Overall Score

12.83%

Phase 1 Requirements and Objectives: For the first phase in the mini project, we were required to design and represent our idea of the term “metaverse” and literally and abstractly convery our concept. This project aimed to further train us on representing abstract concepts through 3D modelling, visualizing our model by creating a suitable scene on Photoshop and also effective poster design.

Form Generations: - Loft - Cage Edit - Pipe -Boolean Difference Skills Learnt: - Exploring new commands on Rhino and incorporating them into my work (e.g sub d and Cage edit) - Using photoshop to create a scene with harmony Challenges and Solutions: - Choosing a good shot → tried several shots before settling on one - Thinking of a concept → trial and error on Rhino along with lots of research Reflection: Although I believe that my model could have been tweaked on Rhino to appear more building-like, I believe I have immensely developed my photoshop skills through this project.

Concept: 16 / 20 Rhino Modelling and Precision: 36 / 40 Form Generation: 7 / 10 Visualization: 18 / 20 Poster Design: 8 / 10

Grade Received: 4.23 / 5.0 %

Phase 2 Requirements and Objectives: For the second phase of the mini project, we were required to create an additional shot to add to the poster to further emphasize the concept and give meaning to building while also keeping in mind feedback received the previous time.

Skills Learnt: - Taking an interior shot from Rhino - Ensuring that the interior and exterior of a building are in sync and match the function of it Challenges and Solutions: Because my building is huge, deciding on a place to take the shot from was challenging. However, I decided to utilize the most prominent part of my building which are the “cubicle glass rooms” which make up the pixelated tower.

Reflection: I think the interior shot reflected the technological aspect of my concept;however, it needed to be more realistic. The placement of components and furniture needed to be more organized and chairs needed to be added to show that it is an office. Also, as seen on the right, I only made minor changes to the design of the poster without changing the main shot.

Concept: 18 / 20 Rhino Modelling and Precision: 37 / 40 Form Generation: 9 / 10 Visualization: 15 / 20 Poster Design: 7 / 10

Grade Received: 8.6 / 10.0 %

04

Intro to BIM Concept In lab task 2

3.0%

In lab task 3

4.0%

Assignment 4 3.0% Overall Weight 10.0% Overall Score

8.44%

In Lab Task 2 Requirements and Objectives: This was the first assignment marked the first time in the course where we were introduced to technical drawings through Revit. In this assignment, we were required to replicate the plan, section and elevation for a guest room using Revit.

Skills Learnt: This task allowed me to practice precision and accuracy in my work.

Challenges and Solutions: The challenge in this assignment was that a single millimeter would completely ruin the measurements of the entire view. Therefore, using grid lines and making annotations after each line drawn was essential in keeping track. Also, I noted to measure from wall center line rather than wall face to be consistent.

Reflection: For my first Revit assignment, I found it to be a be quite challenging as often the measurements were not accurate and I had to kept tracing back; however, in the end I was able to build the guest room effectively.

Deployment of Revit Commands: 36 / 40 PDF Sheet: 26 / 30 Accuracy of the final project: 26 / 30

Grade Received: 2.64 / 3.0 %

In Lab Task 3 Requirements and Objectives: This task was a completion for the past in lab task. It aimed to further develop skills in Revit and incorporate new tools like creating stairs and slabs.

Skills Learnt: In this assignment, I started exploring more components which turn a model into a functional 3D building.

Challenges and Solutions: I had difficulty with the stairs as the stairs and railing appeared crooked the first time I created it. However, I redid the stairs several times adjusting the tread and height until it appeared correct and ensured the stairs was connected to the top level from the section.

Reflection: I believe my performance in this task was better than the previous task and it also took much less time in spite of the extra steps as I began to get used to the Revit software more.

Deployment of Revit Commands: 36 / 40 PDF Sheet: 26 / 30 Accuracy of the final project: 26 / 30

Grade Received: 3.52 / 4.0 %

Assignment 4 Requirements and Objectives: For this assignment, we were required to create practice a fundamental aspect of technical drawings: parallel projections. Given a 3D house, we were required to find the missing facade and project the section and ground floor plan.

Skills Learnt: - Parallel projection - Imagination and visualization in spite of missing information Challenges and Solutions: Many of the measurements in this assignment were missing or were left to imagination; therefore, approaching the assignment by imagining the missing views and sketching them was very challenging. Therefore, I opted for drawing construction lines and projecting each elements separately.

Reflection: In the end, I personally felt like I was able to project all the elements I could see and imagine in the building; however, I realized that I must have missed something as I received a low grade.

Elevation: 22 / 30 Section: 32 / 40 Plan: 22 / 30

Grade Received: 2.28 / 3.0 %

05

Interoperability Assignment 5 7.0% Overall Weight 7.0% Overall Score

6.16%

Assignment 5 Requirements and Objectives: This assignment was the first time the concept of interoperability was introduced. We were required to create a 3D form of the Centre Pompidou-Metz in Metz, France, on Rhino and then export the drawings to Revit to produce plans, views and sections. This assignment aimed to integrate both programs.

Skills Learnt: - Exporting elements from Rhino to Revit - Creating curtain systems Challenges and Solutions: I found the assignment to be very confusing as it was the first time to be working with several levels. However, I made sure to be working on the correct floor plan.

Reflection: This assignment was one of the most difficult for me by far as it combined the technical aspects of Revit with a form with complicated curves.

Rhino Model: 28 / 30 Interoperability in Revit: 36 / 40 PDF Sheet: 24 / 30

Grade Received: 6.16 / 7.0 %

06

Visualization & Rendering pt.2 Assignment 6 3.0% Overall Weight 3.0% Overall Score

-%

Assignment 6 Requirements and Objectives: For this assignment, we were required to produce scaled parallel projections and visualize and render the views using Photoshop.

Notes: - Don’t forget shadows - Additional of details to appear realistic Skills Learnt: - Drop shadows on photoshop - Manipulating opacity and color balance of elements to create harmony - Brush tool to blend harsh lines and creating lighting effects Challenges and Solutions: The challenging part for me in this assignment was to preserve the scale of the drawing and submit the rendered shot as 1:50. However, I discovered that the scale could be easily altered by using the ruler tool on photoshop and making sure the drawings stay within the lines.

Reflection: In this assignment, I could really see a vast improvement in my Photoshop skills than previous assignments. I became more capable of the tools and discovered new commands the more I practiced.

Grade Received: - %

07

Final Project & Portfolio Delivery Final Project Follow Up

2.5%

Final Project Submission 17.5% Paper 2.5% Portfolio 17.5% Overall Weight 40.0% Overall Score

-%

Final Project: Revit Requirements and Objectives: For the final project, we were required to apply interoperability on a larger scale by taking our mini project and integrating the Rhino model with Revit to produce plans sections and elevations.

Form Generations: - In Place Mass - Wall By Face - Floor By Face - Curtain System Skills Learnt: Challenges and Solutions: I faced several challenges on Revit including: - Incomplete importing of shape → simplify curves on Rhino - Crooked tower shape → using grid lines to redraw rooms - Several components not found on Revit → exporting desired components from Revitcity - Curtain systems did not appear → increasing radius of mullions Reflection: Revit was the most hectic part of the project as my model was not initially designed to be a realistic building; therefore, many of the shapes needed to be simplified to export and to be defined on Revit.

Final Project: Photoshop Requirements and Objectives: The next part of the project required rendering the technical drawings on Photoshop while also rendering a 3D shot.

Skills Learnt: In this part of the project, I focused on creating a “mood” for the shot; therefore, I altered the color balance, applied filters and altered the opacities to create harmony in the shots.

Challenges and Solutions: As there were several intricacies in the building, the magic wand tool was not able to select the components of the building accurately so I opted for using the magnetic lasso tool which was more time consuming but gave a neater result.

Reflection: I believe that the rendered 3D shot in this project was much better than the previous one as the materials assigned to the building seemed to compliment the concept and show its functionality a bit more. However, I found rendering the plan, section and elevation to be challenging as there was not much room to add details such as furniture due to the scale of the building.

Final Project: Close Ups

Final Project: Poster