AL BAHAR TOWERS 
[decoding the logic of the parametric facade's responsive system] 

Project location: Abu Dhabi
Architect: Aedas 
Completed: 2012
Facade system: folding panels, reactive to sun exposure 







Pseudo code, base geometries & folding mechanism: 




Code Development: 

Catalogue of facade iterations: 

 [CONFIGURATION 1]
// changed parameters: 
- rotation axis of the panels 
- change and invert domain start & end values of the angle (=> panels are closed around the attractor point) 
- change attractor point position + add a second attractor point

[CONFIGURATION 2]
// changed parameters: 
- use attractor point to vary the size of the panels in relation to their rotation angle
 (=> i.e when panels are closed they are full size & when they are open they also decrease in scale // to allow more light in)

[CONFIGURATION 3]
// changed parameters: 
- change grid type to rectangular 
- change grid size and panels size // triangle type 
- add a third attractor point 
- change rotation direction of the panels 
(add negative value to the rotation angle => mid point moves inwards) 

 

[CONFIGURATION 4] 
// changed parameters: 
- orient triangular panels’ direction according to the attractor point position 
- scale oriented panels based on attractor point 
- add structure behind panels

 

 Architectural application // Final Render

 [creating a light - responsive pavilion canopy] 







Parametric Skins // Al Bahar Towers is a project of IaaC,
Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia developed MAA01 in 2019 by:
Students: Stefana Zapuc 
Faculty - Tutors: Rodrigo Aguirre, Mohamad Elatab;
Tutor Assistants: Ivan Marchuk, Oana Taut