Mashrabiya Parametric Facade

Mashrabiya Parametric Facade, Al Bahar Towers

Mashrabiya Facade Pattern

Al Bahar Mashrabiya FacadeThe objective of the project was to decode the logic, analyze and define the computational process behind the complex facade system; through the means of simple steps.

Al Bahar Towers, located in Abu Dhabi, was constructed in 2012 and designed by Aedas Architects. the purpose of the mashrabiya shading system was to keep the building cool without the need for a large amount o fair conditioning in an area that can reach temperatures of over 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

https://inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/01/Al-Bahar-Towers-28.jpg

https://www.archdaily.com/270592/al-bahar-towers-responsive-facade-aedas

Analysis:

The computational process adopted for this parametric facade comprises of a transformation of the hexagonal facade to a triangular facade. The transformation is a reaction of the suns position in order to cool the building.

Decode Geometry

Facade Process

Step 0: As in all code we start with 0

Keep in mind that this grasshopper definition does not have to scare you. It is possible for users of various skill levels to be able to create this parametric facade by following this simplified pseudo code.

Step 1: Create triangle grid within overall hexagon grid that reacts to an attractor point

Create hexagon grid
Find center of each hexagon in grid
Extract vertex’s from hexagons
Draw curves from hexagon vertex to center of hexagon
Join curves from hexagon to center of hexagon
Find center of triangle
Find mid-point of each side of triangle
Draw curve from mid-point of triangle edges to center of triangle (x3)
Create vector direction between end points of previous curve
Create point attractor
Measure distance from attractor point to mid-point of triangle
Remap point placement with distance and domain
Move point according to remap
Create surface from set of points
Array surface around mid-point (x3) to create triangle
Array three surfaces around mid-point of hexagon (x6)

Triangle Grid Responding to Attractor Point

Step 2: Create a structural frame around each triangle

Extract edges from triangle surface
Scale edges from center of each triangle
Extrude frame with a thickness
Array frame around mid-point (x3)
Array three frames around mid-point of hexagon (x6)

Create Frame for Triangle

Step 3: Create height of each triangle that reacts to attractor point

Move mid-point of triangle perpendicular to facade
Remap point according to attractor manipulation

Create Height of Triangle

Step 4: Making the triangles edges retract and expand

Remap point triangle edge point according to attractor
Use smaller domain and separate vectors to move edges in as triangle moves up

Move edges of triangle in as the center moves out

Step 5: Create structure connecting back to building facade

Create curve from center point of hexagon grid in the negative perpendicular direction
Create curve from one corner point of hexagon grid in the negative perpendicular direction
Pipe curves and cap
Array pipes, from corner, around center point of hexagon (x6)

Create structure point back to building

Step 6: Create Actuator system that moves with triangle expansion and retraction

Create curve from center of triangle and center point of triangle that is manipulated by the attractor point
Pipe curve

Create Actuator System

Step 7: Create structure for actuator system

Use end point of triangle and center of triangle to create a curve
Pipe curve and array around center of triangle (x3)
Array pipes around center of hexagon (x6)
Extract edge from “facade structure pipe” and extrude in the negative perpendicular direction
Offset surface with thickness