contentsPART A

A.0. IntroductionA.1. Designing Futures

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1 A.0. Introduction 2

Over the past three years I have had to quickly aquire skills in various modelling, render-ing and design presentation softwares at a high standard. This typically was not the smoothest learning curve for a heavily arts-and-craft-reliant guy like me, however with time I gained more experience and continued to improve myself. The first time I encountered Rhinoceros was in first year, studying a course called Virtual Environments. The subject outline required students to under-take a design process in which they transform an analog 3D physical model into a digital presenta-tion of that form which will then be panelled and modelled using Rhino. Employing a technique I’m very fond of, chronophotography, I traced the path of a falling leaf that is subjected to wind pres-sures from various directions. I then transformed that path into an abstract physical representa-tion. Through Rhinoceros, I was able to realise such an abstract form and successfully construct it. That was my first experience using a 3-Dimen-sional modelling software. It opened my eyes to the various possibilities that are now avail-able in the industry cause of softwares like this. I have no previous experience in grasshopper, however I do expect it to widen my range of abili-ties and allow me to expand further on the possibili-ties of architectural design.

Past Work

My name is Fady Ghabbour, I am a third year student at the University of Melbourne undertaking the bachelor of Envi-ronments, majoring in architecture. I come from an Egyptian background. I was born in Lybia and I returned to Egypt at the age 4 and moved to Australia when I was 14. I enjoy painting and art in general and I am highly interested in studying theology.

Studying architecture was always something that I have been interested in, and over my last two years in high school this idea was confirmed in my mind. Pursuing a career in architec-ture is not only an engaging path, challenging the mind and even the body, but has been a most rewarding experience for me as well.

ArboSkin Pavillion

The free-form pavillion, in Stuttgart, Ger-many, is a step in the direction of green sus-tainable construction and structural design.Designed by students and professors from Stuttgart University’s ITKE (Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design), the pavillion demonstrates a new form of construction us-ing a bioplastic containing over 90% renew-able materials as it’s sole structural element.

Currently, materials made from oil-based plas-tics, glass, or metal are mainly used to encase structures and in building facade elements. What bioplastic construction proposes is a resource-efficient alternative in the future. Bioplatics are materials made from re-newable biomass sources such as starches, cellulose or other polymers.(1)

Thus an alternative to plastics procured from fossil fuels. The bioplastic used in the ArboSkin Pavillion is called Arboblend and is derived by German firm Tecanro.

Arboblend combines the high malleabil-ity and recycability of plastics with the en-vironments benefits associated with materi-als consisting of renewable resources. This means that in the future, architects, manu-factures, engineers, product technicians,

can construct materials for facade clad-ding of at least 90% renewable resources.

The material can be produced in thermo-formable sheets. This means that this special type of bioplastic can be extruded into differ-ent shape and further processed as required. The sheets can be drilled, laminated, laser cut, CNC-milled, or thermoformed to pro-duce various shapes and moulded structures. The pavillion demonstrates one of many as-sembly methods of the individual pyramid-shaped modules. The pyramids are linked together with bracing rings and joists which makes the structure quite load-bearing.

The innovative approach of this research project by ITKE marks a milestone in building industry. It provides a highly sustainable ma-terial that can be recycled, which meets the high durability and flammability standards for building materials and is structurally sound. It also provides a material that can ful-fill and help realise complex architec-tural designs featuring complex ge-ometries and 3D facade components.

3 A.1. Design Futuring 4

Watercube WaterparkBeijing National Aquatic Center

PTW Architects

Built alongside the Beijing National Sta-dium is the Watercube National Swim-ming Centre for the swimming compe-titions of the 2008 Summer Olympics. PTW Architects coming together with CSCEC + CCDI + ARUP won the interna-tional design competition to design the aquatic centre for the 2008 games.(2)

The cuboid structure is comprised of a steel fram which holds the largest clad struc-ture worldwide with over 100,000 m2 of ETFE pillows (Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene).ETFE is a fluorine based plastic which is de-signed to have a high corrosion resistance a high structural strength in order to make it suitable for external cladding of buildings. The ETFE cladding allows more natural light and heat to access the building than nor-mal glazing. This is importnat as the facade of the stadium resulted in 30% reduction in energy cost increasing it’s efficiency.

The Watercube’s ETFE facade maximised the capture of solar energy to heat in-ternal spaces as well as all pools. This, of course, eliminated the reliance on standard HVAC and plant equipment,

which was not only economic and sus-tainable in terms of energy usage, but al-lowed to have a larger interior space. The way in which the facade responds to energy concerns shows the tech-nological sophistication of the build-ing and a state-of-the-art materiality.

The building envelope therefore does not only serve an aesthetic function, but also ex-pands on future possibilities for energy savings and energy generation using solar energy.

5 A.1. Design Futuring 6

7 References

References

1. http://www.dezeen.com/2013/11/09/arboskin-spiky-pavilion-with-facademade-from-bioplastics-by- itke/ (accessed on 10th March, 2014).

2. PTW Architects, Watercube National Swimming Centre Project, http://www.ptw.com.au/ptw_project/watercube-national-swimming-centre/ (accessed on 10th March, 2014)