Portfolio_Tala

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Make-Space

Selection of Works

Tala Amini

CONTENT

PLUG & PLAY

A Case for Modularity

STRANGE STRUCTURE(ES)

A Case for Computation

INTIMATE DWELLINGS

Close to Home

CHAMBER OF MOVING

A Case for Theatrical Spaces

PLAYFUL LIVING

A Case for Playfulness

HYPER LOOP

A Case for Fabrication

MATERIAL MATTERS

“Echoes of Alchemy” Irthi x AUS

MINIATURE FANTASIES

A Case for Illustration & Poetry

PICTURES

PLUG AND PLAY

A Case For Modularity

Project Time: Spring 2024

Project Type: Core studio, Multi-function, High-rise building

Role: Conception, Render Visualizations, Site Mapping, Drawings, Modelling

Instructor: Kenneth Tracy

Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Partner: Penar Qanbar

As the working man makes his way through the bustling district of Kadikoy, Turkey, he heads towards the same banal office building with large glass panels looking into the soulless employees. He dreams of a change of space. Somewhere far away, where nature grows at large expanses, envisioning large urban rooms that could breed social interactions and play.

We aimed to break out of you normative office layout, creating a versatile system that is able to adapt to our ever-changing needs. “Plug & Play” is conceived of as a system. The elements composing this system are three different sizes of cubic volumes, defined by mass-engineered timber structural segments. These cubes are then aggregated, mutated creating various spatial configurations. The variety found in our of final aggregation was made possible using our “universal joints”. Allowing for the differently sized linear segments defining them to always “plug into” each other. Playscapes are then plugged-into our largest module dispersed throughout the megastructure.

As a result of its saturated connectivity, our urban megastructure becomes a public amenity in a state of fluid response to the needs of an entire city. With the system taking shape of any site its “dropped” onto. Aiming to create a recalibrated urbanism that inspires imagination and growth.

Conceptual Collage- “Working Among the Greens”, expressing our projects aim to break out of your normative office, submerging it between play and greenery.

The typical Working man makes his way through the bustling streets of the city, first thing, grab a warm cup of coffee, and run to the nearest tram station. Its crammed most of the time and finding a seat is a rarity. He heads to his banal office, consumed by a feeling of dread. Aching for a change in space.

Site Mapping- Map of Kadikoy district of Istanbul, Turkey. Demonstrating road networks proximate to the site.

“Process Sketch”- Proposed connection throughout four cores of our structure.

Place-Making- Adjacencies to our site: Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. Our proposal is dropped onto the site, and takes its shape. Southern Facing Exterior Elevation

1) Varying dimensions of module segments are joined using the “Universal Joint”.

3) The varying segments are fitted together using our “Universal Joint” system.

2) The opposing joint slots into the bottom joint, creating lock and key situation, maximizing the variety in segments.

4) Resulting in a completed uniquely fitted column, allowing for different sized modules to connect asymmetrically.

Close-up Render: “Joints in Action”, emphasizing the asymmetry that is resulted from the assembly of our three sized modules.

Plug-in-Functions Types- Playscapes

Exterior Render- “Walk in the Park”, highlighting the porous nature of our facade, creating a floating cloud-like megastructure

megastructure that weaves through the city.

STRANGE STRUCTURE(ES)

A Case For Computation

Project Time: Fall 2023

Project Type: Elective, Speculative, Illustrative, imaginative

Instructors: George Katodrytis, Gregory Spaw.

Type Independent

This project explores the universe of computational design, revolving around mathematical functions defined by vertices, connected by edges and faces through utilizing standardized modular systems within Axolotl plugin in grasshopper. Developed by ETH Zurich, the calculation of arithmetic values allows for creative freedom whilst existing within the realm of standardized printing technologies. Manipulation of forms are controlled, through intricate lattice structures that enable for weight reduction of material being used.

With this geometric exploration, I aimed to create a narrative that revolves around structures of the end of time. Slowly but surely the rising water will devour our cities. Man will seek shelter, some place, any old structure to hide under would do. Until man catches sight of an aging structure, overrun by decomposing organisms.

Exterior Render: “ Towers of the End of Time”, I Attempted to express an architecutre of rresillience. Man attempts to survive as the city sinks.

Classifications Diagram of Lattice Structures- Form Finding

Classification Key

(A)- Gyroid Cell

(B)- Noise Cell

(C)- Sine Tissue

(C2)- Sine 3d

(D)- Lattice

(D2)- Lattice Polar

These distinct Lattice modules demonstrate the various mathematical models used in Axolotl in grasshopper. Highlighting how these organic forms can be controlled through computation.

The classification diagram aims to explain the wide variety of customization within computation (through axolotl) that allow for strategic deformation that would still be printable and functional.

(

(A)(B) (C2)
Grasshopper Scripting-
Axolotl) Plug-in.
Lattice Module
Noise,Sine& Lattice
(D)- Lattice
(A)- Gyroid

Facade Speculation (C2) #1- Biofilic facade.

Front Elevation- Decomposing Tower, backbone structure is a Lattice module (C)

Facade Speculation (B2) #2- Bio-fabricated Mycelium as facade.

INTIMATE DWELLINGS

A Case For Re-housing

Project Time: Fall 2022

Project Type: Core studio, Competition, Rehousing Displaced peoples, Finalists, Highly Commended GUA

Role: Conception, Elevations, Planning, Modelling, Renders, Post Production Illustrations

Instructor: George Newlands

Location: Bamiyan, Afghanistan

Partners: Meera, Nada, Mrinalini, Sabiha

Located in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, this project calls for housing that can accomodated 150 families that have been displaced, due to 40 year long upheaval and violence. The prosposed location is on a 4 hectare tract of land approximately 4 km east of the existing Bamiyan Buddhas. hese displaced villagers were once taking shelter in the cavities of the Bamiyan cliffs below the Hindu Kush Mountains that were resulted from the Taliban’s demolition of the Buddhas which were once erected into the mountains. Frequently being subject to explosions and unrest, these make-shift domiciles are becoming more unsafe. Our new housing units focus on both the micro and macro scales of living. With a deep understanding of constructibility, cost, source of materials, and how labour will be affected. The vernacular typology of housing in Afghanistan is earth building. Including, rammed earth, stone, fired clay bricks, which were all implemented in our proposal, to be constructed by the dwellers as a community. Our aim was to attempt to restore their sense of community, and individuality, whilst focusing on their traditional living patterns,through the two housing typologies we proposed. One of which is the roof-scape and the other is the free-standing dwelling. Both of the typologies are composed of stone foundation, adobe bricks and rammed earth flooring. However, the difference lies in their roof structure. The structure of these dwellings can allow for self expression, and the practice of their age old weaving crafts. In the hopes of restoring the residents sense of identity and pride.

Interior Render- “Close to Home”- Depicting a mother using the structure of her new home to weave a dress for her children.

South Elevation- Free-Standing Housing Typology, roof consisting of corrugated metal,south facing skylights.

South Elevation- Roof-scape Typology, built into the landscape of the site. Allowing for farming at the roof

Plan of Roofscape Dwellings- Housing Typology #2

Plan of Free-Standing Dwellings- Housing Typology #1

1:500 Physical Model of Dwellings- Model demonstrating the built relation between the two dwelling typologies.

Longitudinal Section of Free-Standing Dwellings- Illustration demonstrating the attempt to create a wholistic community, in hopes

hopes of renewing their autonomy, immersed within the landscape.

CHAMBER OF MOVING PICTURES

A Case For Theatrical Spaces

Project Time: Spring 2023

Project Type: Core studio, Public building, entertainment centre

Role: Conception, Drawings, Renders, Post production, illustration

Instructor: Roberto Castillo

Location: Ajman, UAE

Partner: Lijiana Ma

Located in Al Riqa Neighbourhood, at the Ajman-Sharjah border. Sharjah being the first emirate to host the first cinema in the UAE in 1940, screening feature films and documentaries. At the time, Sharjah was a vital military outpost, where the cinema was held at the RAF Sharjah base, open to locals and militants. Gaining huge popularity, Sharjah Paramount Cinema created a paradigm shift in bringing cultures and ideas from around the world. Featuring universal international films including Bollywood, Arabic films, and sometimes Western cinema, it began to create an environment of tolerance and mutual respect. This emphasizes the role of cinema in uniting people together. Our design proposal aims to design a film and media centre that nests and envelopes its viewers. Our filleted auditorium space juxtaposes the features of our media centre’s sharp gridded edges, as it peeks above the canopy, invoking curiosity as one approaches the building. The proposal is heavily inspired by the camera obscura, the antecedent of digital photography. It is a box or room with a hole in one side that allows for rays of light from the outside to pass through the hole, resulting in a scene being produced. We embodied that in our auditorium space through the east-facing window that acts as the “pinhole”, looking out into the entrance. This window can be covered by a rolling projector that allows the room to be multi-functional and versatile.

Interior Illustration of Auditorium- “Vibrant Movements”- Depicting the features of the main Auditorium space, with panelled walls, and Calder-esqu acoustic clouds.

Supported by a steel structure system consisting of I beams laid out in an 8 x 9m grid, the enveloping polycarbonate facade invokes a

Site Conditions- Large Expanses with clusters of houses surrounding Mosques.

Site Sketches- Houses Built by the people for the people. Through visiting the site, many curious qualities were recorded, such as exterior conditions that resemble interiors.

- Plan of our Film and Media Center.

Sectional Chunk Model-- Expressing the nested quality of the auditorium, highlighting the idea of layering materials, and light

Shaded Exteriors- Canvas canopy shading exterior informal seating

Detailed Section Chunk Drawing - Section demonstrating the details of the auditorium, and its relationship towards the polycarbonate facade and canopy.

Exterior Illustration- “Between The Flora”- Render depicting the perforated canopy at play, allowing in cool air, and showering the space

TOWARDS A PLAYFUL LIVING 05

A Case For Playfulness

Project Time: Fall 2023

Project Type: Core studio, Residential

Role: Conception, Drawings, Digital & Physical Modelling, Renders, post production illustration

Instructor: Camillo Cerro

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Partner: Nada Barqawi

Aiming to bring a version of residential housing to the UAE, this project de-constructs and adapts traditional co-housing into a model that can respond to socio-cultural issues and serve people’s needs. With this goal in mind, we proposed an urban community that focuses on adapting to changing family structures over time. Developing a language of design elements, including double entries, courtyards, puzzle-like façades and grid system were ways in which we created a cohesive community. Central to the concept of flexibility and evolution, lies our grid system. The neighbourhood is tailored to address technological and environmental challenges by building sustainable, inclusive and economically viable housing. Situated in Abu Dhabi, adjacent to the coastline and the Jubail Mangrove Park, the site becomes a critical focal point for biodiversity. With the NYUAD campus being nearby, the development of a community center was crucial to designing this residential proposal, as a dormitory was designed throughout this complex facing the mangroves. Giving students with a focus in biology the chance to reside near the mangrove. Making architecture a didactic tool. Heavily studying Kevin Lynch’s “Image of the City”, we broke down the site into edges (sidewalks), nodes (dispersed follies and kiosks), paths (walkways between houses) through the use of a of a modular system developed out of a 5x5m grid.

Exterior Perspective-“In-Between”- Depicting the exterior conditions that take place, specifically, the grid, the double entry condition, courtyards, and pathways in between the houses.

Physical Model- The common language across all residential units include the grid system as a primary organizational tool to space making.

Outdoor communal areas consist of a playground, a skate-park, kiosks, and shaded pathways running throughout the community. Puzzle like façades are seen throughout all buildings, heavily inspired by Steven Holl’s Storefront for Art and Architecture.

Ground Floor Plan - Comprising of three residential units, outdoor communal areas, and a dormitory. Double entries to each residential unit, courtyards and the underlying grid system is demonstrated.

All three residential units are composed using the same design language. A grid that arranges spaces, double entry leading up to the house, and an exterior courtyard. Interior flooring made of terracotta and walls of concrete.

Outdoor communal areas consist of a playground, a skate-park, kiosks, and shaded pathways running throughout the community. Puzzle like façades are seen throughout all buildings, heavily inspired by Steven Holl’s Storefront for Art and Architecture.

Physical Model- Exploring various materials including : Beech wood, MDF, and vegetation.

Physical Model- Showing the Couple’s house.

A. Dividing the site into a grid of 5 x 5 m
B. Shifting volumes according to spatial needs
C. Circulation paths weaving within
D. Communal amenities placed on site
E. Sun path study F. Facade Analyses

Perspectival Section- “Family House” Demonstrating the double entry condition as a result of our grid system, creating an exterior courtyard.

courtyard. Interiors are personalized with built in furniture to maximize space and comfort.

A Case For Digital Fabrication

Project Time: Fall 2022

Project Type: Advance topics in material fabrication, Design build elective

Instructor: Gregory Spaw

Type: Independent

Through the use of advanced computational design and material fabrication technologies, this course investigates the relationship between technology and design through the development of advanced skills related to digital fabrication techniques in architecture. Extracting both analog and digital information for fabrication processes, predominantly using the KUKA robot with grasshopper outputs as the main language in which our aluminum pipes were bent. The process of trial and error in making these looped forms enabled me to grasp the contstraints in which the robot operates within, in order to maximize our design inventions. Recognizing the inseparable relationships between materials, geometry, and tooling.

course.

of Loop-“HyperLoop” - Powder coated Aluminium piped structure in Advanced Topics in Material

Photograph

of

Start by creating two hexagons with the radius of 300 mm and distance them from each other in the Z direction at 700mm.

Diagram of Loop Prototype 1

With further bisection of each hexagon six segments are created. Resulting in six smaller equilateral triangles

Start by creating two hexagons with the radius of 334.2mm and distance them from each other in the Z direction at 700mm.

Kuka And Human

Along the perimeter of the base triangle, create triangles that span across the length of each side and connect at one of the three points on the triangle above. A

To form the second duplicate module, mirror the created module following the perimeter of the triangle.

Module (a) becomes a parallelogram comprised of a flipped module (a).

With further bisection of each hexagon, six segments are created. Resulting in six smaller equalateral triangles.

The final outcome of the multi-planar loop tube bending

Along the perimeter of triangle, create triangles across the length of each connect at one of the three the triangle above. A single module is formed.

Genarative Diagram of Loop- Diagram demonstrating the multiplanar loop, comprising of 3 repeating shapes generated through a hexagon.

Grasshopper Simulation of Bending Progression
Diagram of Loop Prototype

of Parts- Bent aluminum parts ready for assembly KUKA & Human- Process of KUKA bending aluminum pipes through grasshopper.

Photograph of Loop as Sculpture- Powder coated aluminium piped structure as a sculptural piece, could potentially become table base.

Grasshopper Simulation of Bending Progression
Kuka And Human Photo
Diagram of Loop Prototype
Photograph

MATERIAL MATTERS

“Echoes of Alchemy” Irthi X AUS

Project Time: Fall 2022-Spring 2023

Project Type: Material Research, prototyping, fabrication

Role: Creating tiles for proposed column design to be used in Milan design week

Collaborators: Raghad Al-Ali, Habiba Mohammad, Nadine Ghazal, Lijiana Ma. Event: Irthi at Milan Design Week 2023

For Milan Design Week 2023, Irthi Craft Council’s “Echoes of Alchemy” cocurated by Mr. Lawrence Milan exhibition, an extensive collaboration with American University of Sharjah under the guidance of fellow Raghad Al Ali. In the effort to translate fabrication lab research into a a curated exhibition that demonstrates the abundance of UAE’s traditional crafts, diverse topography, and sustainable architecture at an international level. Accompanied by a publication created by Irthi expressing our intensive recipe based research to highlight the pivotal role various natural found ingredients and ways of craftsmanship methods play within the United Arab Emirates constructed environments. My task throughout this year long research was to develop tiling blocks made out of natural based resin and UAE sand, with local motifs imprinted on them using three-dimensional stamps created using grasshopper digital computing.

Photograph of Irthi Council’s Display in Milan- Exhibit co-curated by Mr. Lawrence Milan. Image demonstrating coral motif on the column tiles used to support table with display materials. Image courtesy @IrthiCouncil.

In its abundant landscapes, the United Arab Emirates was our site of study. Through material compositional analysis, soil extraction, these samples were takien to the lab for deeper exploration and analysis, to ultimately create bio-material recipes for design. Constantly asking questions on matters of sustainability and local analysis enable us to be more focused on urgent topics pertaining to the lanscapes of the UAE.

Mixture:

a) Sodium Alginate

b) 2L water

c) Fine Sand

d) Arabic Gum

Oasis

Age old traditional Arab Shipping Vessel, typically crafted from wood, specifically teak or Mahagony.

Scripting- 3d-Printed Stamps

Result

The process of threedimensional stamping was a dialogue between natural materials and innovative fabrication techniques, involving the use of computer aided manufacturing. Highlighting the importance of technology in the advancement of materials experimentation, and the extent to which we can push boundaries of standard design. Becoming a representational tool that symbolize local motifs and narritves.

UAE Desert Sand
Coral: Complanata Cnidarian

Photograph of Resulting Tiles - The final motifs created comprise of, Coral patterns of Complanata and Cridarian families, and the pattern of UAE desert sand.

Photograph of Irthi Council’s Display in Milan- With the works of multidisciplinary designer Reem Saif Almazrouei displayed on the table highlighting Sadu and Safeefah weaving craft of UAE, coupled with the motif blocks creating the columns. Image courtsey of @IrthiCouncil

Photograph of Material Collection Library- Documentation of Stones and Flora collected from Hafeet Mountain, Al Ain during site visit.
of Farah Abughazi.
Tala Amini

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