Computational Design: Dendrite-ing the Extension of the Architecture Department

Student Portfolio

A R C H 4 7 3 / 3 5 2 2 - D I G I TA L D E S I G N S T U D I O A N D W O R K S H O P Nadine Hani Spring 2019

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: Nadine Hani Student ID: 900150398

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

Nadine Hani Architecture Student

As I approch my thesis semester and graduation, I cannot help but reflect on my whole journey in AUC, includiing my architectural experiences, extracurriculars and personal development. Throughout my experience at AUC, I have developed greatly as a person.

I am more aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I have built stronger relationships. I have even discovered talents in me, that I never whould have thought exhisted. I have found passion in photography and refuge in poetry. I have discovered a love for teaching through MUN and MAL that I never new existed. I have applied my dream of travel to many places, both solo and alone. Overall, my experience at university is nothing short of rewarding.

Nonetheless, i cannot overlook the tremendous impact that my Architectural Studies have had on me.

Though I started the major, quite doubtful of my creative abilities, it was quite soon that I learnt that I was the only one holding myself back. I have experimented with user groups, from the addicted to the blind. I have discovered a new eye for the humanities that shows the impact of our surroundings on both our mundane and our universal life experience. Yet, nothing was as impactful as Design 4 and ARCH 473, on my view of Architecture and my general mindset. In these courses, I had to push my mind to its farthest limits. I had to dig deep, really deep, into every idea that comes to mind.

I truly understood hat just because I believe that the building will work in such a way does not mean that it truly will. It will forever be critical to doubt every step that I take, and to try as much as I can to unviel all the secrets that my target user or concept might hold.

At the end of the day Architecture is not art, Architecture must be felt.

Connecting lines between the intersection points, and exploding them at the attractors.

01 Learning from Nature

8 Natural Manifestation

Manganese Oxide

Silver

Ice

Lab Experimentation

Water on Thread

Identical Snowflakes

Copper Purification Portfolio

Learning from Nature

9

Mobility - Shape determined by the possibility of the particles to reach the cluster via Brownian Motion - Stops when: - Particles are used up - Temperature warms up - Pressure Decreases - Arms of cluster catch similar particles, so they cannot get to the inner parts - Growth one particle at a time

ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019

Nadine Hani

10 Abstraction of Behavioral Logic

Mobility - Shape determined by the possibility of the particles to reach the cluster via Brownian Motion - Stops when: - Particles are used up - Temperature warms up - Pressure Decreases - Arms of cluster catch similar particles, so they cannot get to the inner parts - Growth one particle at a time

Portfolio

Learning from Nature

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Alteration Parameters: - Stickiness coefficient of particle - Geometric environment - Number of initial clusters

ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019

Nadine Hani

Connecting lines between the intersection points, and exploding them at the attractors.

02 Capturing Mobility

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Portfolio

Capturing Mobility

15 The chosen site is at the intersection between SSE and the steps plaza. It also has several physical protrusions.

Choice of Site - Expand on Multiple geometries - Connection With different user categories (SSE, HUSS and events) - Multiple attachment opportunities for multiple clusters - Highest user density for more opportunities for crystallization

ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019

Nadine Hani

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Portfolio

Capturing Mobility

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ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019

Nadine Hani

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Crystallization at Physical Protrusions Virtical Protrusions - Tilted Windows Horizontal Protrusions - Benches and Fountain The phyrical protrusions are used as attractors, where the particles (interacting lines) stick to eachother creating nodes of interaction.

Crystallization at User Entries Entrances to the courtyard are concieved as points of high density, thus attracting particle (user) flow.

The highest density occurs at the intersection between the circulation paths, resulting in nodes that are utilized at main activity spaces.

Portfolio

Capturing Mobility

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Alternative I Only Physical Attractors

Alternative II Only Phenomenological tractors

At-

Alternative III Both Physical and Phenomenological Attractors, with the fom exploding at the points of highest density

ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019

Nadine Hani

20

Glass Enclosure Surface from Curves

Form Generation

Steel Structure Ts-pipe

The circulation paths intersect creating connecting nodes of low stickiness that do not have a definite form. At the points of entrance, the stickiness coefficient is at its highest, thus the form starts to create a defined area, wherin the main activities can occur.

Form Outline Lines

Portfolio

Capturing Mobility

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Nadine Hani

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Capturing Mobility

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ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019

Nadine Hani

The shape shifting panel protrudes and opens up, in response to its attractor, the sun.

03 Patterns of Mobility

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Patterns of Mobility

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Panel Design A voronoi shape was chosen in order to morphe well with the full form that looks like a voronoi. The panels pull out and turn left and right, in attraction to the sun. As the sun approaches more light is let into the studios, and as the sun leaves, the studios are closed off. This is in order to create a constant connection with the outdoors.

STEEL STRUCTURE 15.0 CM

MULLION STEEL 12.0 X 8.0 CM PANEL GLASS 1.0 CM

SHADING PANEL WOOD 2.0 CM

ELECTRO-MAGNET Ø 1.0 CM

Detailed Section This detail shows the layers of connections and the relation between the panel, the glass enclosure and the steel structure.

OPERATING BAR ALUMINUM 2.0 CM HINGE STEEL Ø 2.0 CM

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Nadine Hani

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Patterns of Mobility

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ARCH 473/3522 - Spring 2019

Nadine Hani

The Layout of the building shows the nodes of activity and the interaction of the panels with the nodes, creating multiple levels of interaction with the stickiness coefficient.

04 Visualization and Process Documentation

36 Ground Floor Plan

Computer Lab Main Entrance

Lobby

Design Studio

Portfolio

37 Section A-A

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Nadine Hani

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Biblography

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https://earthsky.org/earth/how-do-snowflakes-get-their-shape https://www.noaa.gov/stories/how-do-snowflakes-form-science-behind-snow https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/2013/01/21/the-science-behind-snowflakes/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-snowflakes-crystal/ h t t p s : / / w w w. u r a n t i a . o r g / s t u d y / s e m i n a r - p r e s e n t a t i o n s / c r y s t a l l i z a t i o n - w a t e r - v a por-what-may-we-discern-snowflake

ŠAll rights reserved, American University in Cairo (AUC) May 2019