Source:

http://www.ahr-global.com/Al-Bahr-Towers

ASSIGNMENT BRIEF:
To decode the logic of complex facade systems, analysing and defining the

computational process behind them and propose several configurations that reflect

the parametrization of the building skin.

PROJECT DETAILS:
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Year of completion: 2012
Architects: AEDAS U.K.

ABOUT THE FACADE:
The concept was to design a responsive facade inspired by the
“mashrabiya”, a traditional Islamic lattice shading device. The screen opperates as a curtain wall, sitting two meters outside the buildings’ exterior on an independent frame. Each triangle is coated with fiberglass and programmed to respond to the movement of the sun as a way to reduce solar gain and glare. In the evening, all the screens will close.

Using a parametric description for the geometry of the actuated facade panels, the team was able to simulate their operation in response to sun exposure and changing
incidence angles during the different days of the year.

Original parametric facade

PSEUDO CODE:

FOR TOWER:
1. Generate shape of tower by drawing curves in
Rhinoceros
2. Create surfaces using Loft command in
Grasshopper

FOR SKIN:
3. Make hexagonal grid
4. Divide into triangles
5. Obtain medians and centroid for the triangle
6. DIvide triangle into three small triangles
7. Connect centroid to mid point of the opposite side and set vector
8. Create a point in Rhino and assign as tractor point (sun)
9. Depending upon the distance from the outer point to the the centroids control the movement of the midpoint along the vector created, to simulate the opening and closing movement.
10. Create surface of the triangle
11. Use polar array to create the hexagonal surfaces
12. Raise the centroids of the triangles along Z axis to give thickness to the skin

TO WRAP SKIN ON THE SURFACE OF THE TOWER:
13. Rotate the skin through 90 degrees around the Z axis
14. Map the skin onto the surface

Iterations:
1. Twisted Tower: Changing the shape of the tower
2. Square grid

Iteration 1: Twisted tower

Original skin

Iteration 2: Rectangular grid

Computational Design // IaaC, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia
Developed at Master in Advanced Architecture in 2018 by:
Student: Gayathry Mohan
Faculty: Rodrigo Aguirre, David Andres Leon
Assistant: Daniil Koshelyuk