Alhadi_Rabeia_The+Living+Skyscraper_Architecture_Spring2011%5B1%5D (1)

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Draft

Rabeia Alhadi


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Accepted in Partial Fulfilment of the RequirementsFor the Degree of Master of Architecture

AtThe Savannah College of Art and Design

____________________________________________________________________________________________________/__/__Scott Dietz DateCommittee Chair

____________________________________________________________________________________________________/__/__Mohamed Elnahas DateCommittee Member

____________________________________________________________________________________________________/__/__Malcolm Kesson DateCommittee Member


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The Living Skyscraper

Mashrabbia; A Kinetic Envelope Represents Islamic Culture and ImprovesBuilding Energy Performance

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the ArchitectureIn Partial Fulfilment for the Requirements of

Degree of Architecture

AtThe Savannah College of Art and Design

By

Rabeia M. Alhadi

June/2011


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Dedication

To my father, Mahmoud A. Elfaitory, and my mother, Nabawia A. Eljerjawi,

t o whom I owe everything I have accomplished in my life,

and to my brothers and sisters, for all their love and support.


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Acknowledgements

I would like to express my gratitude to the Libyan Ministry of Education for its financial support, without which this research would never

have been possible. I was fortunate in having Prof. Scott Dietz as my committee chairman at SCAD. I am most grateful to him for encouraging

and advising me throughout my work, as well as for his advice, comments and valuable discussions during the preparation of the final

submission of this thesis. I am also very grateful to Prof. Mohamed Elnahas, my faculty advisor, for his advice and comments on my thesis prior

to submission. My thanks are also due to Prof. Malcolm Kesson, my topic consultant, for his comments and guidance throughout my work on

this thesis. I would also like to extend my gratitude for editorial help rendered by Mrs. Zeba Siddiqui for her valuable and ongoing assistance.

Many thanks also go to the staff of the SCAD Library for their assistance.

Outside the academic arena, my deepest thanks go to my family and in particular my husband, Mohamed A. Elmughrbi. Its various

members never stopped encouraging me to finish this thesis and they continued to bear with me throughout the period of my work because of

my academic interests.

Finally, I thank my Creator for His grace, for having such helpful people around me, and for the privilege of being able to complete this

research.


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Table of Content:

List of Figures

Abstract

Part One:

1.1 Theoretical Context

1.2 Arguable Position

1.3 Design Objective

1.4 Design Strategy

1.5 Expected Outcome

1.6 Active Research& Relevant Resources

1.6.1 Environmental effect on Islamic culture and its

relation to architecture1.6.2 Case Studies

Part Two: Context Analysis

2.1 Digital Context

2.1.1 Introduction

2.1.2 Kinetic Envelope Systems

2.1.3 Parametric Design of BIM

2.1.4 Design parameters for kinetic skins

2.2 Social and Cultural Context of Skyscrapers

2.2.1 History and Technology

2.2.2 Sustainable Skyscrapers

2.3 Context Analysis of Tripoli City, Libya

2.3.1 Background

2.3.2 Brief History

2.3.3 Economy

2.3.4 Demography

2.3.5 The Geology, Soil and Topography

2.4.6 Climate

2.4.7The residential land use change in Tripoli.

2.3.8 Architectural and Urban Fabric of Tripoli, New versus

old

Part Three: Site Analysis

3.1 General Information

3.2 Site Description

3.3 Land-Use Map

3.4 Circulation Map

3.5 Sun Path3.6 Prevailing Wind

3.7 Views from the Site to Its Surroundings

3.8 Views to the Site

3.9 Environment Simulations

3.9.1 Solar Radiation Analysis

3.9.2 Shadow Study

3.9.3 Wind Study

Part Four: Programming

4.1 General Overview of Needs and Desires

4.2 Tripolis Traditional Street Component

4.3 Program Summary

4.4 Program Distribution

4.5 Program precedents


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4.6 Program Quantitative Summary and Proportions

4.7 Conclusion

Part Five:

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Islamic Geometric Patterns

5.3 Types of Islamic Patterns

5.4 The Proposed Mashrabbia Patterns

5.5 Dynamic Mashrabbia Environment Simulations

5.6 Project Schematic Design

Part Six: Design Development

6.1 Dynamic Mashrabbia Pattern Development

6.2 Building Orientation

6.4 Building Design Development

6.5 Dynamic Mashrabbia Evaluation

6.5.1 Solar Radiation Analysis

6.5.2 Building Energy Performance Analysis

6.5.3 Dynamic Mashrabbia Benefits

Part Seven: Design Development7.1 Dynamic Mashrabbia Details

7.1.1 Dynamic Mashrabbia Behaviour during Daytime

7.1.2 Detailed Mashrabbia Design

7.1.3 Dynamic Mashrabbia Effect on Interior Spaces

7.2 Building Skin Layers and Ventilation system

7.3 Design Development

7.4 Conclusion

Bibliography


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List of Figures:

Part One:

Fig. 1.1: The old city of Tripoli, Libya

Fig 1.2: Courtyard HouseFig 1.3: Mashrabbia

Fig 1.4: Geometric Patterns of Tessellate Panels

Fig 1.5: Interior rendering of the Court yeard by Foster+ Partners

Fig 1.6: ABI's Strata System

Fig 1.7: Detail of ABI's Strata System

Fig 1.8: Perme System at Aldar Central Market

Fig 1.9: Abu Dhabi Investment Council Headquarters Towers

Fig 1.10, Investment-Council-Headquarters-Towers-Concept-Design

Fig 1.11: Investment-Council-Headquarters-Towers-Ground-Design

Fig 1.13: Faade Layers

Part Two:

Fig. 2.1: The kinetic faade of Arab World Institute, Paris

Fig. 2.2: Arizona State University's Bio-design Institute in Tempe

Fig. 2.3: (GSW) headquarters building

Fig. 2.4: Design parameters for kinetic skins

Fig. 2.6: The BIX electronic skin by Peter CookFig. 2.5: A/B-sampling data from sensors and information portals

Fig. 2.7: Sullivan's Wainwright Building

Fig. 2.8: Sears Tower

Fig. 2.9: Lift: Taipei 101 tower, right: Burg Dubai

Fig. 2.10: Menara Mesiniaga, Kuala Lumpur, 1992, T. R. Hamzah &

Yeang

Figure 2.11: Swiss Reinsurance Headquarters, London, U.K., 2004,

Foster and Partners

Fig.2.12 : The Solaire, Battery Park, New York City, 2003Figure 2.13: Pearl River Tower, Guangzhou, China, 2010

Fig. 2.14: Tripoli citys skyline

Fig. 2.15: Tripoli links between European and African cities

Fig. 2.16: Oil exports from Libya

Fig. 2.17: Temperature and rainfall averages, Tripoli, Libya

Fig. 2.18: Tripoli residential land use between 1960-2005

Fig. 2.19: The main entrance to the Medina, known as Bab Al-Hurriyah

(the Freedom Gate) the earliest fortified wall around the town was built in

the 4th century

Fig. 2.20: Marcus Aurelius arch

Fig. 2.21: Karamanli Palace

Fig. 2.22: Right: The main hall of Gurji mosque, Lift: Islamic Inscriptions

in the mosque

Fig. 2, 23: The Red Castel, Tripoli, Libya

Fig. 2.24: The modern shore of Tripoli reflecting the contrast between the

old and new buildings of the city

Fig. 2.25: The style of high-rise buildings in modern TripoliFig. 2.26: Residential high-rise buildings in modern Tripoli

Fig. 2.27: Commercial and Residential high-rise building in the modern

part of Tripoli

Fig. 2.28: Right, Alfateh tower. Lift: Abulaila tower


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Fig. 2.29:10-story residential building is under construction. (Picture: Sep.

07, 2010)

Fig. 2.30: Hydra Tripoli Tower

Fig. 2.32: The new skyscrapers of Tripoli (some of them are under

construction): dwarfing Boulayla and Alfatah towers.JW.Marriott Hotel (bottom right)

Fig. 2.31: Medina Tower, Tripoli, Libya

Part Three:

Fig. 3.1: The proposed site, Tripoli, Libya, North Africa

Fig.3.2: Zooming further to the site

Fig. 3.3: Tripolis district heights map

Fig. 3.4: Land-use map

Fig. 3.5: Circulation map

Fig. 3.6: Sun path of Tripoli city

Fig. 3.7 Prevailing wind, Tripoli, Libya

Fig. 3.8: Views from the site

Fig. 3.9: Views toward the site

Fig. 3.10: Summer solar radiation study result

Fig. 3.11: Winter solar radiation study result

Fig. 3.12: Summer shadow study result

Fig. 3.13: Winter shadow study resultFig. 3.14: Pressure study result

Fig. 3.15: velocity study result

Part Four:

Fig. 4.1: An example of Tripolis narrow traditional streets

Fig. 4.2: One of Tripolis medina streets

Fig. 4.3: Handicrafts in the old city of Tripoli

Fig. 4.4: Concept diagram

Fig. 4.5: A rendering of Medina TowerFig. 4.6: Some views of Medina Tower

Fig. 4.7: Program proportions

Part Five:

Fig. 5.1: The Root Two proportion systemFig. 5.2: Root Three proportion

system

Fig. 5.3: The Golden Ratio proportion system

Fig. 5.4: Islamic mashrabbias pattern case studies

Fig. 5.5: The various opening stages of Pattern

Fig, 5.6: Pattern I Environment Simulation Result, 20-foot depth space

Fig. 5.7: Pattern I Environment Simulation Result, 30-foot depth space

Fig. 5.7: Pattern II Environment Simulation Result, 20-foot depth space

Fig. 5.8: Pattern III Environment Simulation Result, 30-foot depth space

Fig. 5.9: Pattern III Environment Simulation Result, 20-foot depth space

Fig. 5.10: Pattern I Environment Simulation Result, 30-foot depth space

Fig. 5.11: The site

Fig. 5.12: First floor zoning

Fig. 5.13: Second floor zoning

Fig. 5.14: Section A-A

Fig. 5.15: Building elevations

Fig. 5.16: Perspective


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Fig. 5.17: Perspective

Part Six:

Fig. 6.1: Dynamic mashrabbia pattern ( Maya software)Fig. 6.2: Best building orientation study result, Tripoli, Libya (Ecotect

software

Fig. 6.3: Distributing the dynamic mashrabbia on the towers( Revit

software)

Fig. 6.4: Site plan

Fig. 6.5: Basement floor plan

Fig. 6.6: First floor plan

Fig. 6.7: Second floor plan.


Fig. 6.9: Top: South elevation. Down: West elevation

Fig. 6.10: Top: East elevation. Down: North elevation

Fig. 6.11: Project perspective

Fig. 6.12: Project perspectives

Fig. 6.13: Solar radiation study result (Vasari software)

Fig. 6.14: Building energy analysis result (Vasari software)

Part Seven:Fig. 7.1: Dynamic mashrabbia behaviour during daytime

Fig. 7.2: Dynamic mashrabbia detailed design

Fig. 7.3: Dynamic mashrabbia effact on interior spaces at different

opening stages

Fig. 7.4: Buildings skin layers, left: during moderate climate and at

nights, right: during hot climate.

Fig. 7.5: Building perspective

Fig. 7.6: Site plan

Fig. 7.7: Basement levels planFig. 7.8: First floor plan

Fig. 7.9: Second floor plan


Fig. 7.12: North elevation at about 4:00 pm

Fig. 7.13: West elevation at about 4:00 pm

Fig. 7.14: East elevation at about 10:00 am.

Fig. 7.15: South elevation at about 10:00 am



Fig. 7.19: Close perspective to the dynamic mashrabbia

Fig. 7.17: The sky gardens

Fig. 7.18: The caf

Fig. 7.16: The main entrance of the project and the main courtyard


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The Living Skyscraper

Mashrabbia; A Kinetic Envelope Represents Islamic Culture and

Improves Building Energy Performance

Rabeia M. Alhadi

June, 2011

Abstract

During the last couple of decades, Tripoli, like any other

major city has grown exponentially. Nowadays it requires

thousands of new homes per year; a situation that has created a lot

of controversy as urban planners propose skyscrapers and

Tripolians drastically refuse to change their beloved city.

With the growing populations in Tripoli, high-rise buildings are

becoming an important part of the city life. However, the new high-

rise buildings should accommodate the local style of life.

This thesis investigates how the use of new materials,

technologies, and the digital revolution can express the local

culture and make a building harmonizes with its surrounding

environment to take full advantage of the available natural

resources and provide an acceptable climate for its occupants.

The main aim of this design is to create an innovative and next

generation sustainable tower designed specifically for Tripoli city by

taking advantage of cutting-edge technologies while respecting the

traditional way of living that reflects the areas cultural roots.

The approach of this design is to develop a bio-inspired kinetic

envelope system which has the interactive access to the

surrounding environment. This kinetic faade is inspired by the

traditional Islamic mashrabbia and has the ability to responce and

adjust according to the sun movement to minimize undesirable

environmental impacts. A new Parametric Design method in

Building Information Modeling (BIMPD) and computational

simulation is used in this design.


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Part One

Topic Research


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1.1 Introduction (theoretical Context)

Recent years have seen an unprecedented growth in the

construction of tall buildings, with more, and taller, skyscrapers

being constructed than at any other time in history. Certainly on an

international scale, the past several years have been the most

active and dynamic in the history of tall buildings. 1

In particular, cities in developing countries seem to ignore

the local climate, culture and context and instead simply import the

However, too

many tall buildings continue to be designed in one of two

inadequate ways: either as vertical extrusions of an efficient floor

plan, or as iconic pieces of high-rise urban sculpture. In both

cases the only relationship with the urban setting is a visual one,

with the tall building usually dominating. This has led to the

syndrome of tall buildings as isolationist architecture stand-

alone, non-site specific models that are readily transportable

around the cities of the world.

1Anya Kaplan-Seem,As Economy Sank, Skyscrapers Soared Ever Higherhttp://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/090407skyscrapers.asp

Western model of the air-conditioned, rectilinear glass box. This

pattern of gleaming glass skyscrapers springing up in the tropics,

deserts and other extreme climates has led many to denounce the

tall building as inherently anti-environmental. In short, these tall

buildings are contributing to the degradation of both global (climate

change) and local (cultural) environments.

It does not, however, have to be this way. Tall buildings

have the opportunity to reinvent themselves as a typology for a

sustainable urban future featured centres of life, work and play

with innovative functions, technologies and environments to face

the challenges of the future climate-changed world. This new

typology needs to be inspired not only by environmental issues, but

also by the cultural and vernacular traditions of the location they

are placed in. This is especially important in maintaining the cultural

integrity and continuity of any urban domain, but especially in

developing countries where the embrace of Western models is both

enthusiastic and rapid. In short, tall buildings need to be inspired by

place both culturally and environmentally. This thesis seeks to


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acceptable climate for its occupants. This thesis explores what role

traditional Islamic architecture can play in digital architectural

design of a tall building and discusses how solar control and natural

ventilation systems can be integrated into kinetic facade systems to

minimise the environmental impacts. Sun shading should be

considered as an integral part of fenestration system design that is

adapted into the facade design.The product of this thesis is a

mixed-use skyscraper in Tripoli city, Libya, representing the Islamic

culture and coping with the region hot climate.

1.3 Design Objective

The objective of this project is to design a self-reliant

building that appropriately respects and recognizes its surrounding

site while subtly reflecting Islamic culture. The main aim of this

design is to create an innovative and next generation sustainable

tower designed specifically for Tripoli city by taking advantage of

cutting-edge technologies while respecting the traditional way of

living that reflects the areas cultural roots. In this design, the focus

will be on the skin of the tower, which will introduce a kinetic facade

that minimizes undesirable environmental impacts by integrating

solar control, daylight and natural ventilation systems, and

encompassing a wide range of strategies resulting in an energy

efficient building design. Such facade systems minimize

overheating and excessive solar gain during summer and hot

seasons.

1.4 Design Strategy:

This project proposes a possible solution by creating a

community-like skyscraper that takes Tripolis street life to the sky.

This community offers residents the opportunity to live according to

their traditional life style which incorporates an Islamically-

acceptable level of privacy and desired access to nature. The

design will be generated and moulded by the surrounding

environment, and some of the parameters that will be employed in

distinguishing the building are natural lighting, shade and stable


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conditions in the harsh climate through the design of a dynamic

skin that has the ability to adapt, mutate and adjust according to the

local climate. The approach of this design is to develop a bio-

inspired kinetic envelope system which has the interactive access

to the surrounding environment like solar radiation, daylight, etc. A

new Parametric Design method in Building Information Modeling

(BIMPD) and computational simulation will be used in this design.

The design of this skin will be inspired by the traditional

Islamic architectural element Mashrabbia (a wooden screen with

different patterns used to provide privacy and allow air movement),

and will almost play the same role of Mashrabbia in providing

shade, privacy, and a more comfortable internal environment. It will

also incorporate a photovoltaic panel system in the Mashrabbia to

provide energy self-sufficiency.

The project will be a mixed-use development with housing,

suq (shopping center), public library, gym, parks, a madrassa

(education center) and even a primary health center. It will be

designed according to green building techniques, and aims for

urban sustainability.

1.5 The Expected Outcome

As the fi rst green skyscraper in the city, the project will play

a crucial and irreplaceable role in improving the Libyan way of life

by redefining what we understand as a skyscraper and initiating

new architectural knowledge incorporating a sense of economic,

environmental and cultural responsibility.

The project also will enhance the local neighborhood by

adding additional living space with other commercial and cultural

facilities.

At the same time, the project will propose a possible

solution for coping with hot- climate architecture utilizing advanced

building technologies with vernacular architectural elements. The

resulting system will intelligently provide thermal comfort, natural

energy and reduce energy usage of HVAC system according to

outdoor climate condition, which creates an Acclimated Building.


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The expected long term achievement of this project is an innovative

design approach integrating BIMPD and biomimicry for thermal

comfort and developing building energy efficiency.

1.6 Active Research and Relevant Resources

1.6.1 The Islamic cultural response to high-rise buildings

The brilliant Egyptian architect, Hassan Fathy had explained

very perfectly Old Islamic houses have filigreed windows and

central courts, for example, to admit light without glare, coolness

without air conditioning. The same principles could easily be

incorporated even into high-rise buildings (CNN, 1974).

For generations, Islamic culture has exhibited various

fundamental principles of sustainable ways of living. It is the

intention of this design to revive and utilize these fundamental

principles into the modern design of a contemporary multi-story,

mixed-use tower in Tripoli city. However, the idea of high-rise

buildings brings a new scale into Islamic architecture. Moreover,

high-rise buildings also require the application of new technologies

and expertise in every aspect of the design and construction, and

require a thorough understanding of the life style and culture of the

region in which they are to be located.

1.6.1 Environmental effect on Islamic culture and its

relation to architecture

The heritage of the traditional Arabic architecture has

influenced and developed in response to three main factors: the

regions hot and humid climate, social and religious aspects, and

local availability of building materials. In general, its main features

are simplicity, functionality, durability and suitability for climatic

environments and social life.3

In response to the hot and humid climate, four architectural

elements are visible. First, buildings were constructed close to each

other. This type of high-density structure created narrow alleys,

which were shaded for most of the day. The narrowness of the

3Robert Hillenbrand, Islamic Architecture: form, function, and meaning, 1994.


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alleys caused the wind to increase in velocity as it breezed through,

creating a comfortable pedestrian zone (Fig 1.1).

Fig. 1.1: The old city of Tripoli, Libya

The second element is the courtyard house, in which most

of the rooms, which may have shaded verandas, face inward

toward the courtyard,which was in the center of the house (see Fig

1.2). The existence of the courtyard generates wind movement

inside the house by allowing hot air to ascend, while cooler air to

replaces it from the surrounding rooms. Such courtyards also

reduce cooling loads in the hot climates. At night, cool air comes in

lowering the temperature in the thermally massive courtyard walls

and floor. These elements hold the coolness throughout the hot

day, which represent natural and environmental sustainability (Fig.

1.3).4

Courtyards could be included in a single house or multiple

houses could share the same open space to take advantage of

protected outdoor space. Courtyards may be of different sizes and

accommodate multiple functions. In addition to providing privacy

and stable conditions in the harsh climate, they may function as a

central hall to connect the different rooms of a single house, a

space where extended family, neighbors or guests, gather,

providing a main street for a neighborhood, gathering or common

space for families.

5

In these days, although the location of the courtyard is

more likely to be at the edges of the house, it is still one of the

major characteristics of the Arab house.

4Ibid.5Ibid.


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Fig 1.2: Courtyard House

Wooden screens (mashrabbia), were also widely used in

Arab houses. They allow cool breezes to enter through the wooden

lattices, thereby enabling the entry of air currents, which reduce the

temperature; reflected heat, solar radiation, and the intensity of

traffic noise(see Fig 1.3).6

6Ibid.

Fig 1.3: Mashrabbia

The effect of religion and social interaction on local

architecture can be observed in two ways. Firstly, the Islamic

religious teachings encourage privacy and modesty, and courtyard

houses fulfil this condition by providing an inward-looking house

whose privacy cannot be breached from the street. All the first floor

rooms opened onto the courtyard, while the exterior walls were

mostly solid , apart from some small ventilation openings at a

considerable height, thereby preventing pedestrians from looking


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mathematicians. As these patterns align and diverge, the visual

effect is of sparse geometric patternshexagons, circles, squares,

and trianglesthat blossom into an opaque mesh (see fig 1.4). The

result is a kinetic surface that spans 122 square meters and imbues

the building with the functional capacity to dynamically change its

opacity.8


8Adaptive Building Initiative, http://www.adaptivebuildings.com/simons-center.html,accessed on Nov 12, 1010.

http://www.adaptivebuildings.com/simons-center.htmlhttp://www.adaptivebuildings.com/simons-center.htmlhttp://www.adaptivebuildings.com/simons-center.html


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Tessellate is controlled using location-based sensory data

to respond to light and weather conditions and fully integrates into

the building management system. For instance, when high levels of

direct light are detected, the metal panels diverge, and their

patterns completely overlap, blocking the suns rays. The sensors

are programmed in a variety of ways to maximize energy efficiency

and savings.9

Faade:

Adaptive Shading Coverage: 124 sq. m.

Materials: Waterjet-cut steinless steel, glass

Dimensions: 5.6m Wide x 6.7m Tall

2- Strata System at City of Justice (AP + TSJ)

Architect:Foster + Partners

Ciudad de Justicia, Madrid, Spain, 2006-2011, Strata

The new Campus of Justice in Madrid is the largest single

site dedicated to law courts in Europe. Following the master plan,

9Ibid.

Foster + Partners has designed two distinctly circular buildings,

Tribunal Superior de Justicia (High Court) see fig 1.5, and

Audiencia Provincial (Appeals Court).

Fig 1.5: Interior rendering of the Court yeard by Foster+ Partners

Both buildings were designed to minimize unwanted solar gain,

while allowing natural daylight inside. As a key part of this

environmental strategy, ABI systems were used to develop a

customized shading scheme. Each building will use ABI's Strata

system; when extended, the system will cover the triangulated roof


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grid. When retracted, their profile will 'disappear' into the structural

profile of the roof (see figs 1.6, 1.7).

During the day, the primary function of the system will be

sun shading. A custom algorithm combining historic solar gain data

with real-time light-level sensing will control the shading units.10

Fig 1.6: ABI's Strata System

AP:- 20,000 sq. feet of shading area

- System Geometry: Hexagonal

- Number of operable units: 257

TSJ:

10Ibid.

- 7,000 sq. feet of shading area

- System Geometry: Parallelogram


- Materials: Aluminum, Steel

- Control System: Each unit driven by a servo motor with custom

array control

Fig 1.7: Detail of ABI's Strata System

3- Perme System at Aldar Central Market, Central Market , Abu

Dhabi, UAE , 2006-2010.

Architect:Foster + Partners

Abu Dhabi's historic Central Market has been transformed

into a dynamic new quarter with markets, shops, offices,

apartments and hotels. One of the oldest sites in the city, Central


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Market is a reinterpretation of the traditional marketplace and a new

civic heart for Abu Dhabi. The project comprises a combination of

lower-rise, ecologically sensitive levels of retail roof gardens

forming a new public parkand three towers.

Using the Adaptive Building Initiative's Perme system,

Hoberman Associates developed several exterior shading roofs in

three public squares within the retail complex. The kinetic design

works off an operable grid. In its covered configuration, the shading

roof resembles a traditional coffered Islamic roof. When retracted,

the roof becomes a slender lattice that complements the Foster

team's designs for fixed shading (see fig 1.8).11

- Adaptive Shading Coverage: 3,000 sq. ft.


- Materials: Aluminum, Steel

- Control System: Each unit driven by a servo motor with

custom array control

Adaptively Benefits

11Ibid.

- Ventilation and airflow control

- Dust and debris protection

- Reduced solar gain and glare

- Shading control

- Privacy control


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Fig 1.8: Perme System at Aldar Central Market

The following case studies were selected as examples of

skyscrapers whose architects attempted to mediate between the

modern building typology and the local identity.

4- Abu Dhabi Investment Council Headquarters Towers

Architects: Aedas+Arup architects

Height:476 ft (145m), Client:Abu Dhabi Investment Council

Location:Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Site area:11,500sq m

Number of floors: 29 floors

Total ground floor area:Over 32,000sq m

Area of Curtain Wall:67,500m2

Curtain Wall System:Unitized and Stick Curtain Wall

Fig 1.9: Abu Dhabi Investment Council Headquarters Towers

CONCEPT: The design of the towers considers both traditional

Islamic architecture as well as sustainability. It includes and utilises

sustainable techniques, including a state-of-the-art computer

operated shading system. The designers have also striven to fuse

Islamic architecture with the modern design, basing the entire


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structure of the building on a mixture of two-dimensional circles and

three dimensional spheres. The entire structure is designed to

reflect a single geometric theme. "Our concept for the Abu Dhabi

Investment Council headquarters was generated from a

mathematically pre-rationalised form which was in turn derived from

Islamic principles, said Aedas deputy chairman Peter Oborn. Its a

thoroughly modern building rooted in tradition.12(see Fig. 1.10)

Fig 1.10, Investment-Council-Headquarters-Towers-Concept-Design

12Wordpress Theme, Architecture View , http://www.architecture-view.com/2010/10/24/gorgeous-investment-council-headquarters-towers-for-abu-dhabi/,accessed: Nov 20, 2010.

Use: Commercial office use, as well as facilities for a full-service

restaurant, caf, a fully configured auditorium for up to 150 people,

a multi-use conference space, and prayer rooms for the buildings

estimated 2,000 office workers.13

Fig 1.11: Investment-Council-Headquarters-Towers-Ground-Design

13 Ibid.
http://www.architecture-view.com/2010/10/24/gorgeous-investment-council-headquarters-towers-for-abu-dhabi/http://www.architecture-view.com/2010/10/24/gorgeous-investment-council-headquarters-towers-for-abu-dhabi/http://www.architecture-view.com/2010/10/24/gorgeous-investment-council-headquarters-towers-for-abu-dhabi/http://www.architecture-view.com/2010/10/24/gorgeous-investment-council-headquarters-towers-for-abu-dhabi/http://www.architecture-view.com/2010/10/24/gorgeous-investment-council-headquarters-towers-for-abu-dhabi/


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DETAILS

Fig 1.13: Faade Layers

Both towers are covered from top to bottom with a dynamic

mashrabbia screen, which opens and closes in response to the

position of the sun (see Fig. 1.9). The mashrabbia comprises over

1,000 translucent moving elements on each tower and is controlled

by specially designed computer software. It will reduce solar gain

by an estimated 20%, and provide 80% to 90% of the shading on

the building.14

The mashrabiya is made of a translucent fabric mesh

(PFTE), providing occupants closed. The honeycomb design is not

only practical in terms of shading, but is also very resilient and

difficult to damage.

15

These sustainable initiatives will lead to an estimated 20%

reduction in electricity consumption, due to a reduced in the need

for air conditioning and lighting, a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions

and a 15% in cooling plant capital cost.

16

14Ibid.15Ibid.16

Bridgette Meinhold, Inhabitat, Solar-Powered Crystalline Towers Unveiled for AbuDhabi,http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-crystalline-towers-unveiled-for-abu-dhabi/abu-dhabi-investment-council-headquarters-towers-13/?extend=1,accessed: Nov 20,2010.
http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-crystalline-towers-unveiled-for-abu-dhabi/abu-dhabi-investment-council-headquarters-towers-13/?extend=1http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-crystalline-towers-unveiled-for-abu-dhabi/abu-dhabi-investment-council-headquarters-towers-13/?extend=1http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-crystalline-towers-unveiled-for-abu-dhabi/abu-dhabi-investment-council-headquarters-towers-13/?extend=1http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-crystalline-towers-unveiled-for-abu-dhabi/abu-dhabi-investment-council-headquarters-towers-13/?extend=1http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-crystalline-towers-unveiled-for-abu-dhabi/abu-dhabi-investment-council-headquarters-towers-13/?extend=1http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-crystalline-towers-unveiled-for-abu-dhabi/abu-dhabi-investment-council-headquarters-towers-13/?extend=1


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Part Two

Context Analysis


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2.1 Digital Context:

2.1.1 Introduction

How to make buildings acclimate to the climate has been

the challenge of architecture for Thermal comfort. Reducing the

outdoor high temperature differences is still the significance of

building energy efficiency. In particular, there are many locations

with great daily or seasonal variation in climatic temperature. The

temperature can swing around 40 C degrees from winter to

summer and around 10 C degrees from night to day17

17

Z. Xie, H.-X. Cao, Asy mmet ric Changes in Max imum and Minim um Temp eratu re inBeijing, Theor. Appl. Climatol. 1996, vol. 55, pp. 151-156

. Currently,

the common strategies for addressing this wide temperature range

of climate are the HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air-conditioning)

systems. Much energy of HVAC system is needed in these

locations for indoor thermal comfort. There are lots of studies

focusing on the high-tech or high-efficient HVAC system to save

energy. However, we believe the fundamental point is the building

design rather than external treatment like the HAVC system. That is

why many design standards and handbooks are used for

recommending building orientation, materials and other design

strategies for reducing the energy usages of HVAC systems. Since

this thesis suggests design of a bio-inspired dynamic envelope

system responding to solar radiation and local climate conditions,

and in order to explore the envelope system, this research reviews

important literatures related to biomimetic design in architecture

and kinetic/interactive building envelope applications.

2.1.2 Kinetic Envelope Systems

The optical and thermophysical properties of building

envelopes are one of the most important design parameters

affecting indoor thermal comfort and energy conservation18

18

Gul Koc Zerrin Yilmaz, Building form for cold climatic zones related to buildingenvelope from heating energy conservation point of view , Energy and Buildings,2003, vol. 35, pp. 383388.

.

Regarding the interactive or kinetic envelope, it belongs to the

issue of kinetic architecture that initially was first demonstrated by

the literature Kinetic Architecture wrote by William Zuk and Roger

H. Clark in 1970. It shows a systematic knowledge about kinetic


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architecture, also proposed a combination between natural

organisms and buildings19. Building envelopes tend to be smarter

with more moving parts, and the main trend driven by kinetic

envelopes is sustainability and indoor comfort20. Also, some

practices and research consistently justify that interactive

envelopes can offer promising energy savings and indoor comfort

212223

There are many examples among which the following ones are

worth mentioning. Consider, for instance, eye adaptation that the

pupil controlling the amount of light entering the eyes

.

24

19William Zuk, Roger H. Clark, Kinetic Architecture. New York: 1970

. This was

contributed to design camera shutters and then inspired an

interesting faade of Jean Nouvels design, Arab World Institute in

Paris (Fig.2.1). The kinetic envelopes will control the amount of

20Sullivan, C. C., RobotBuildings. Pursuing the Interactive Envelope, ArchitecturalRecord, 0003858X, 194: Issue 421

Thanos Tzempelikos, Integration of Dynamic Facades with other BuildingSystems, Automated Buildings Magazine, 2007, May.22

Sullivan, C. C.23Thanos Tzempelikos24

Carlos Ernesto Ochoa, Isaac Guedi Capeluto, Strategic decisionmaking forintelligent buildings: Comparative impact of p assive design strategies and activefeatures in a hot climate, Building and Environment, 2008, pp.18291839.

incident sunlight according to the outside daylight illumination

conditions. In the result, the indoor lighting environment will be

balanced and save the electrical lighting energy.

Fig 2.1: The kinetic faade of Arab World Institute, Paris

Another example involves automated shades which have the

attributes of highly transparent and relatively unarticulated building

enclosures. At Arizona State University's Bio-design Institute in

Tempe (Fig 2.2), researchers used interior aluminum louvers

controlled continuously by photocells and sun-tracking embedded

computation instead of the large expanse of window walls at Gould

Evans and Lord Aeck Sargent Architecture. A manual override


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accessible through occupants' computers allows personal

adjustments to be made25.

Fig 2.2: Arizona State University's Bio-design Institute in Tempe

In addition, the envelope systems of the Gemeinntzige

Siedlungsund Wohnungsbaugesellschaft (GSW) headquarters

building(Fig. 2.3), designed by Sauerbruch & Hutton Architects,

demonstrate the views that the envelopes of buildings may like the

skins of living organisms to breathe, change form, and adapt to

variations in climate26

25Sullivan, C. C.

. Its kinetic envelop systems offer the

naturally ventilation for 70 percent of the year, and provide

26Michael Wiggington, Jude Harris, Breathing in Berlin, Architecture Week 2003, 0903, pp.

E1.1.

extremely good daylight to the office floors through shading

systems and much reduce the need for electrical lighting.

Fig 2.3: (GSW) headquarters building

Current intelligent kinetic systems arise from the

isomorphic convergence of three key elements: mechanical

engineering, embedded computation and responsive architecture.

Based on morphology and biology about tissue systems which

include three basic types- nervous tissue, connective tissue and


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skin tissue, at the architectural counterpoints, the interactive/kinetic

envelope systems can be also arose from the isomorphic

convergence of three key elements: sensor / monitor systems,

embedded computation and kinetic components. Sensor/monitor

systems like the biological nervous tissue are to sense and record

indoor air condition parameters involving pollutants, air flow rate

and etc. Next embedded computation deemed as connective tissue

analyzes the data received from the sensor/monitor systems

through embedded programs given by designers or users, and in

turn the kinetic components related to the skin tissue can adjust

their configurations, shaping or composing according to the

commands from embedded computation. Multiple building tissues

of envelopes are grouped together and carry out a specific

acclimated function for outside and inside air condition signals, and

then form an integral kinetic system, which can be deemed as an

interactive/kinetic building organ27

27Bettig B., J. Shah, Derivation of a standard set of geometric constraints for parametric modelingand data exchange, Computer-Aided Design, 2001, vol.33, pp.17336.

.

2.1.3 Parametric Design of BIM (BIMPD)

Most issues related to parametric design is for exploring,

representing or optimizing geometric shapes rather than capturing

and describing real architectural needs related to environments or

occupants 28 29 30. However, the term BIMPD is a new and

different area and includes 3D knowledge-rich parametric modeling

information from geometry to shape, from materials to

constructions and from occupancy activities to environmental

conditions. Lee and Sacks 31

28

Ibid.

extended BIM to domain knowledge

and explored the ability of an object in BIM to respond to internal or

external stimuli (i.e., change its form in response to changes in its

context) through complex constrains defined by users or

environmental conditions. On the other hand, BIM can utilize

external software to access necessary parameters for building

29B. Bruderlin, D. Roller (Eds.), Geometric Constraint Solving and Applications, Springer,Berlin, Germany:1998.30J.Y. Lee, K. Kim, Geometric reasoning for knowledge-based parametric design usinggraph representation, Computer-Aided Design, 1996, vol. 28, pp. 831 841.31

Ghang Lee a, et al, Specifying parametric building object behaviour (BOB) for abuilding information modeling system, Automation in Construction, 2006, vol.15, pp. 758 776.


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energy performance analysis. Schlueter & Thesseling 32

The BIM-based design with parametric methods presents the

possibility of kinetic building configuration for indoor thermal

comfort according to constraints like the relation between solar

radiation and changes of multilayer envelopes. These

configurational changes will be driven by the biologic conceptual

manipulation of spatial/configurational, physical/behavioral and

material/constructional aspects of design. Also, this process allows

discussions of design ideas and analytical tests combined with

existing computational techniques like EnergyPlus at multiple

points during the design process. The BIMPD method ultimately

results in an iterative design process supporting kinetic

conceptualization, materialization, and construction information.

developed

a prototypical tool DPV integrated into a BIM authoring tool

(Autodesk Revit) enabling the instantaneous energy simulation and

the visual representation of outputs.

32Arno Schlueter, Frank Thesseling, Building information model based energy/exergy

performance assessment in early design stages, Automation in Construction, 2009,vol.18, pp.153163.

2.1.4 Design parameters for kinetic skins

According to Rickey and Dorin in indicating where

design decisions of kinetic skins occur and the range of parameters

that may require consideration. This preliminary outline is intended

to identify the general range of factors to be considered, rather than

the prescription for any particular design approach. A flaw of all

generalist models is that the specificity of each project makes some

aspects redundant. However, as a means to articulate the

ontological shift that occurs when considering kinetic process as an

outcome rather than a design aid, the scope of decisions occur

around three interconnected groups of parameters. As the diagram

below suggests these are:

1- Choice of input or sampling;

2- The manner in which these samples are processed by

the control system;


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directed and bottom-up approaches where parameters are set for

the evolution of behaviour35

On tectonics:

.

What technology is available to implement an interactive

skin? Typically, composition in architectural design is based on a

tectonic approach in which the aesthetic is largely based on

fabrication methods, articulation of joints, and materials. As

evidenced by the Arab Institute faade by Jean Nouvel, this attitude

to engendering aesthetics can be extended to environmental

control systems. Similarly the example of the BIX electronic skin by

Peter Cook et al indicates the tectonic design of electronic displays

can in itself be important (Fig 2.6).

35Ibid.

Fig 2.6: The BIX electronic skin by Peter Cook

The interactive skin can be manifest in either physical or

electronic form and both require detailed design in terms of their

physical appearance as well as their performance. We can make a

broad distinction between passive systems with minimal

mechanics such as the wind walls of artist Ned Kahn (Fig 2.5-E)

and more complex mechanical systems such as the Agesis

Hyposurface (Fig 2.5-F).


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Fig 2.5: A/B-sampling data from sensors and information portals; C/D-visual programming

interface controlling prototype facade (Janssen and Kramer); E-tectonic wind wall (Ned

Kahn); F- agesis hyposurface (Gaulthorpe et al)

In order to evaluate and develop this conceptual model for

the design of kinetic skins, the next stage will be to undertake a

taxonomy of available technology using the sampling / control /

tectonic categories. It is anticipated this will produce a useful

design resource, but also act as a research methodology, flushing

out gaps for the development of new design approaches and

technology36

2.2 Social and Cultural Context of Skyscrapers

.

2.2.1 History and Technology

The term "skyscraper" was first used during the 1880s,

shortly after the first 10 to 20 story buildings were built in the United

States. Combining several innovations: steel structure, elevators,

central heating, electrical plumbing pumps and the telephone,

skyscrapers came to dominate American skylines at the turn of the

century37

36Ibid.

.

37Dirk Stichweh, New York Skyscrapers, Prestel: Munich, Berlin, London, New York, 2009


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across continental Europe for the first half of the twentieth century

(with the notable exceptions of the 26-storey Boerentoren in

Antwerp, Belgium, built in 1932, and the 31-storey Torre Piacentini

in Genoa, Italy, built in 1940). New York City developers competed

among themselves, with successively taller buildings claiming the

title of "world's tallest" in the 1920s and early 1930s, culminating

with the completion of the Chrysler Building in 1930 and the Empire

State Building in 1931, the world's tallest building for forty years.

The first completed World Trade Center tower became the world's

tallest building in 1972 for two years. That changed with the

completion of the Sears Tower (later renamed the Willis Tower) in

Chicago in 1974(Fig. 2.8), which became the world's tallest building

for several decades40

40Ibid

.

Fig 2.8: Sears Tower

From the 1930s onwards, skyscrapers also began to appear

in Latin America and in Asia. Immediately after World War II, the

Soviet Union planned eight massive skyscrapers dubbed "Stalin

Towers" for Moscow; seven of these were eventually built. The rest

of Europe also slowly began to permit skyscrapers, starting with

Madrid, in Spain, during the 1950s. Finally, skyscrapers also began

to be constructed in cities of Africa, the Middle East and Oceania

(mainly Australia) from the late 1950s.


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In the early 1960s structural engineer Fazlur Khan realized

that the rigid steel frame structure that had "dominated tall building

design and construction so long was not the only system fitting for

tall buildings", marking "the beginning of a new era of skyscraper

revolution in terms of multiple structural systems." His central

innovation in skyscraper design and construction was the idea of

the "tube" structural system, including the "framed tube", "trussed

tube", and "bundled tube". These systems allowed far greater

economic efficiency, and also allowed efficient skyscrapers to take

on various shapes, no longer needing to be box-shaped. Over the

next fifteen years, many towers were built by Khan and the

"Second Chicago School", including the massive 442-meter (1,451-

foot) Willis Tower.41

A landmark skyscraper can inspire a boom of new high-rise

projects in its city, as Taipei 101 has done in Taipei since its

opening in 2004 (Fig. 2.9). Large cities currently experiencing

skyscraper building booms include Miami in the United States,

41Ibid

London in the United Kingdom, Shanghai in China, Dubai in the

United Arab Emirates which now the location of the tallest building

in the world, Burj Dubai, about 2000 ft.42(Fig. 2.9).

Fig 2.9: Lift: Taipei 101 tower, right: Burg Dubai

The 21st century is now bringing together, new elements:

smart skin, responsive materials, parametric design in curtain wall

technology, customization and digital fabrication. Tall buildings will

42Ibid


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use smart skins that will respond to changes, environmental and

emotional. Smarter programmable elevators will distribute traffic

more efficiently vertically and travellators will do the same

horizontally, between the lobbies of clustered skyscrapers43

2.2.2 Sustainable Skyscrapers

.

In 1983, the UN established the World Commission on

Environment and Development in an attempt to resolve the

conflicts arising out of the aspirations of the developed and

developing worlds. In 1989 they published Our Common Future or

the Brundtland Report44

43Ibid

, which launched the concept of

sustainable development and was reinforced in 1992 at Earth

Summit in Rio. It called for Development which meets the needs of

the present generation without compromising the ability of future

generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable architecture is

environmentally conscious, energy-saving, and utilizes responsive

and renewable materials and systems. Ecological and

44Wced, Our Common Future. World Commission on Environment and Development,

Oxford University Press, Oxford, U.K. WILLIAMSON, T., RADFORD. A., and BENNETTS,H., (2003).

environmental concerns have expanded beyond the issue of the

consumption of non-renewable energy sources. Sustainability

essentially aims for ecological balance45

High Performance Tall Building:

.

Environmental awareness extends to both the urban

environment and the context in which a tall building is placed as

well as its interior environment. The issues ofoutdoor microclimate

and indoor air quality as well as the potential toxicity of materials

and chemicals used in building components, systems, and

furnishings are also of concern to the building users. In a broad

sense the term green is often used for a sustainable, which

essentially describes design, construction and maintenance

practices that minimize or eliminate the negative impact of a

building on the environment and on the users. Tall buildings are

massive consumers of energy.They are the dominant elements in

urban architecture due to their scale and purpose, and should be

45NewmanMAN, P. Sustainability and Cities: The Role of Tall Buildings in the New

Global Agenda. Proceedings of the CTBUH Sixth World Congress, Melbourne, Australia,2001, pp. 76-109.


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Faade Technology:Daylighting and shading are usually the key

aspects to faade design for typical green buildings. The faade

covers over 90 to 95 percent of the external building surface area in

a tall building, that is, the roof area is almost insignificant compared

to faade areas. Thus, the energy gain or loss for a tall building

depends very much upon the materiality and technology employed

in the faade treatment50

Combined Heat and Power: A highly efficient technology for

energy saving in densely built-up urban areas is the Combined

Heat and Power (CHP) system. CHP is the simultaneous

production of power, heat and, occasionally, chilled water for air-

conditioning, and is also known as co- or tri-generation. CHP

avoids transmission losses as electricity is generated close to the

point of use.The result of using CHP systems is a cost saving and

reduction of CO2 emissions of over 30 percent with respect to

generation from coal-fired power stations and over 10 percent with

respect to gas fired combined cycle gas turbines. CHP technology

.

50Ibid

can be applied as well to the considerable loads of individual tall

buildings or groups of tall buildings where the electricity load and

annual cooling requirements are similar. A typical distribution of

total energy output from a CHP system is shown in Table 151

.

Table 1: Energy Output Distribution of CHP System

Rainwater harvestingcollects the rain onto roofs, then stores it in

a tank, intended for eventual use. The recycled water is used for

toilets, washing machine and outside tap use. Grey water recycling

is another process in which water from bath, shower, and hand

wash basin is reused. This grey water is more suited to residential

tall buildings in which sufficient amounts are generated regularly for

reuse in toilets, washing machines and outside tap52

.

51Smith, P. P. (2007). Sustainability at the Cutting Edge: Emerging Techniques for

Low Energy Buildings. Elsevier. London, New York et. al52Ibid


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Building Management Systems

Innovative building technologies such as computer-based

smart or intelligent building systems can play a major role in

managing the energy usage. The increasing reliance on computer

technology and automated systems can be directed toward

achieving a sustainable functioning of skyscrapers. The Building

Management System (BMS) is a centralized control system to

manage the operations of the various building systems such as fire

protection, security, communication networks, elevators, HVAC

systems, etc. The environmental data collection and control system

is usually incorporated within the BMS which can also be used to

control more passive features like opening windows and shading

devices. The component of the BMS that deals with energy-related

services is controlled by the Building Energy Management System

(BEMS), also known as the Energy Management and Control

System (EMCS), which may in some circumstances function

autonomously. The control system need not to be located on-site

and the supervision of the system can be centrally for multiple

building complexes or for a number of similar buildings in outlying

areas53

Case Studies

.

A new generation of sustainable tall buildings is

challenging conventional high-rise building practices and setting

trends for future projects incorporating innovations in materials and

intelligent building systems. Menara Mesiniaga: Ken Yeang and T.

R. Hamzah were among the first architects to apply ecological

principles to their bioclimatic skyscrapers. The Menara Mesiniaga

in Subang, Malaysia (Fig. 2.10), designed in 1992, presents an

early model building for the physical translation of ecological

principles into high-rise architecture54

53Ibid

.

54Abel, C. Sky High: Vertical Architecture. Royal Academy ofArts. London, 2003.


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Figure 2.10: Menara Mesiniaga, Kuala Lumpur, 1992, T. R. Hamzah & Yeang.

The fifteen-story tower expresses its technological innovations on

its exterior and uses as little energy as possible in the production

and running of the building. Instead of a continuous facade, the

building open and closes in sections arranged in stages around the

tower. It has an exterior load-bearing structure of steel with

aluminium and glass, and a crowning superstructure for the roof,

planned as a future support for solar cells. The interior and exterior

structure of the tower is planned around climatic considerations and

its orientation toward the daily path of the sun. Deep incisions and

suspended aluminum sunscreens on the south facade ward off the

direct rays of the noon and afternoon sun into the interior55

Swiss Reinsurance Headquarters: Foster and Partners

developed new technological, urban planning, and ecological

design concepts in the Swiss Reinsurance Headquarters building

(see Figure 3) constructed in 2004 in London. The steel spiral

diagrid structure creates an aerodynamic form that provides the

lowest resistance to wind and diminishes demands on the load-

bearing structure, as well as the danger of strong downward winds

in the area around the building. The net-like steel construction of

the load-bearing structure lies directly behind the glass faade and

allows support-free spaces right up to the core. The most

innovative element in the inner structure is the inclusion of

triangular light shafts behind the facade, which spiral upwards over

the whole height of the building. These light and air shafts are

interrupted every six stories by an intermediate floor, to minimize

the development of drafts and noise.

.

55Ibid


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Figure 2.11: Swiss Reinsurance Headquarters, London, U.K., 2004, Fosterand Partners.

The slimming of the buildings profile at its base reduces

reflections, improves transparency, and increase daylight

penetration at ground level. The aerodynamic form of the tower

encourages wind to flow around its face, minimizing wind loads on

the structure and cladding, and enables the use of a more efficient

structure. Natural air movement around the building generates

natural ventilation within the building56

The Solaire: Located at Battery Park in New York City, the Solaire

(see Figure 5) is the first residential high-rise building in the U.S. to

integrate green features in a comprehensive way (Carey, 2006). It

is a 27-story, 293-unit luxury apartment building located on the

Hudson River developed by the Albanese Organization and

designed by Cesar Pelli & Associates. Its sustainable features

include PV panels incorporated into the buildings facade, a planted

roof garden, and fully operational blackwater treatment system. It is

based on guidelines developed by the Battery Park City Authority,

which address five areas of concern: 1) Enhanced indoor air

.

56Foster, N.Modeling the Swiss Re Tower, Architecture Week,www.architectureweek.com,2005.
http://www.architectureweek.com/http://www.architectureweek.com/http://www.architectureweek.com/http://www.architectureweek.com/


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quality; 2) Water conservation and purification; 3) Energy efficiency;

4) Recycling construction waste and the use of recycled building

materials; and 5) Commissioning to ensure building performance57.

Figure 2.12 : The Solaire, Battery Park, New York City, 2003

57Carey, H. L. The Solaire: Green By Design. Battery Park City Authority, New York, 2006.

The Pearl River Tower: The Pearl River Tower (Fig. 2.13) is a

990-foot (300-meter) tall net-zero energy mixed-use building,

Guangzhou, China. Designed by Adrian Smith and Skidmore,

Owings & Merrill, it has a curved glass faade that directs air flow

through narrow openings in the facade that drives large, stainless

steel wind turbines to generate electrical energy. The buildings

aerodynamic shape, was developed in collaboration with Rowan

Williams Davis & Irwin, Inc. of Ontario, Canada using the RWDI-

Skin suite of proprietary analysis tools, including its Virtual wind

simulation modeling (RWDI Group,2007)58.

Figure 2.13: Pearl River Tower, Guangzhou, China, 2010

58Rwdi Group, Promotion brochure, Spring, SLOCOMBE, D.S. ,Environmental Planning:

Ecosystem Science and Ecosystem Approaches for Integrating Environment and Development.

Environmental Management. 17(3), 2007, pp. 283-303.


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2.3Context Analysis of Tripoli City, Libya

2.3.1 Background

Fig. 2.14: Tripoli citys skyline

Tripoli is the largest and the capital city of Libya, North

Africa. It has a good strategic geographical position and a profound

history. Tripoli lies at a latitude of 32 56 north, and a longitude of

13 10 east and is on the south coast of the Mediterranean Sea in a

central position. It forms a vital link between the eastern and

western cities of the Arab world and between European and African

cities 59(see Fig 2.1).

Fig 2.15: Tripoli links between European and African cities

2.3.2 Brief History

Tripolis history reflects the history of the country. It has

known ups and downs but its historical architectural monuments

are a testimony to the great Libyan civilisation. Tripoli was founded

59Temehu, Tripoli: The Bride of The Mediterranean,www.temehu.com/Cities_sites/Tripoli.htm


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by the Phoenicians in the first half of the first millennium B.C. under

the name of Oea. Among the Greeks Oea, together with the

colonies of Sabratha and Leptis Magna, was called Tripolis (in

Greek, three cities), a name that was retained for Oea. In 105

B.C., it was conquered by the Romans. In the fifth century A.D., it

was conquered by the Vandals, and during the sixth and seventh

centuries it was part of the Byzantine Empire. In the seventh

century it became part of the Arab Caliphate. From 1551 to 1911,

Tripoli was part of the Ottoman Empire. In October 1911, the city

was captured by the Italian Army, which remained there until 1943,

when British troops took over. Until Libyas declaration of

independence (1951), Tripoli was one of the centers of the national

liberation struggle. It was a capital of the Kingdom of Libya from

December 1951 until Sept. 1, 1969, when it became the capital of

the Libyan Arab Republic60

60Ibid.

.

2.3.3Economy

Tripoli is the countrys principal commercial, industrial, and

financial center. It is a port, and it is a highway junction. The city

has an international airport. About 75 percent of Libyas industrial

enterprises are concentrated in Tripoli. The Libyan economy

depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which

contribute about 95% of export earnings, about one-quarter of

GDP, and 60% of public sector wages. Libyan oil and gas licensing

rounds continue to draw high international interest; the National Oil

Company set a goal of nearly doubling oil production to 3 million

bbl/day by 201561

GDP: $74.72 billion (2010est.)

.

GDP growth rate: 8.5%

Industries: petroleum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles,handicrafts, cement

Agriculture: wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables,peanuts, soybeans; cattle.

61About Libya,http://www.lipoexpo.com/1st/libya.html,accessed on Des. 12, 2010
http://www.lipoexpo.com/1st/libya.htmlhttp://www.lipoexpo.com/1st/libya.htmlhttp://www.lipoexpo.com/1st/libya.htmlhttp://www.lipoexpo.com/1st/libya.html


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Exports:crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas62

Fig 2.16: Oil exports from Libya

2.3.4 Demography: The Tripoli metropolitan area (district area)

has a population of 1,682,000 (Feb, 2010 est.) 63

62Ibid

.

2.3.5 The Geology, Soil and Topography

Geology: Tripolis land consists different layers, the most important

one is the sand rock which is on the top. Its allows rain water to

drain and gather under the ground and creates wells64

Soil: The soil of Tripoli is suitable for agriculture

.65

Topography: The city of Tripoli rises 49 feet above sea level and

mostly flat

.

66

2.4.6 Climate:Tripoli gets under the influence of the subtropical zone.

The climate of Tripoli is Mediterranean with hot dry summers, cool

winters and some modest rainfall. Weather can be variable,

influenced by the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea which

moderates daily temperature ranges.The percentage of humidity is

between 53%-72% and it is higher in the summer. The temperature

in Tripoli is between 8 -18 Celsius in the winter, and sometimes

becomes 46 Celsius in the summer.Rainfall in Libya is pretty low.

.

63True Knowledge, Tripolis population in 2010,http://www.trueknowledge.com/q/tripoli's_population_in_2010,accessed on December 14,2010.64Ibid65

Ibid66Hosam Bsimam, The Old City of Tripoli: (Tripoli, 2006).
http://www.trueknowledge.com/q/tripoli's_population_in_2010http://www.trueknowledge.com/q/tripoli's_population_in_2010http://www.trueknowledge.com/q/tripoli's_population_in_2010


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Much of the rain occurs in winters. The average annual

precipitation is less than 100 mm67.

Table 2: Weather average conditions of Tripoli, Libya

The following bar chart shows the years average weather

condition readings covering rain, average maximum daily

temperature and average minimum temperature for Tripoli, Libya.68

67

Ibid68BBC Weather, http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT00033

Fig 2.17: Temperature and rainfall averages, Tripoli, Libya

2.4.7 The residential land use change in Tripoli.

The residential area in the city of Tripoli had been on

increase between 1969 and 2005. In 1969 the residential land use

was at 1,126.8 hectares or 7.6% of the total city area. This figure

climbed in 1980 to 4,573.3 hectare or 30.8% of the total area, and

to 6,783.3 hectares or 45.7% in 2005

69

69

GEOGRAFIA Online, Malaysian Journal of Society and Space 4 (71 - 84) 2008,Changes in residential land-use of Tripoli city, Libya: 1969-2005

.

http://pkukmweb.ukm.my/geografia/images/upload/7.2008-osama%20kh%20ali-english-1.pdf
http://pkukmweb.ukm.my/geografia/images/upload/7.2008-osama%20kh%20ali-english-1.pdfhttp://pkukmweb.ukm.my/geografia/images/upload/7.2008-osama%20kh%20ali-english-1.pdfhttp://pkukmweb.ukm.my/geografia/images/upload/7.2008-osama%20kh%20ali-english-1.pdfhttp://pkukmweb.ukm.my/geografia/images/upload/7.2008-osama%20kh%20ali-english-1.pdfhttp://pkukmweb.ukm.my/geografia/images/upload/7.2008-osama%20kh%20ali-english-1.pdf


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Fig 2.18: Tripoli residential land use between 1960-2005

2.3.8 Architectural and Urban Fabric of Tripoli, New versus old

Al-Madina (The Old City of Tripoli)

The northwesternpart of Tripoli is the Old City, or Madina,

which was rebuilt during the second half of the 16th century. It is

located on a rocky cape and is walled on two sides. (See Fig. 2.6)

In the south and southeast is the New City, with public and

commercial buildings, as well as residences.

Fig. 2.19: The main entrance to the Medina, known as Bab Al-Hurriyah (the Freedom Gate)the earliest fortified wall around the town was built in the 4th century.

The Madina or the historic city of Tripoli, now occupies the

site of ancient Oea which was built by the Phoenicians in the

seventh century BC. In 46 BC Tripoli was captured by the Romans

who developed the city and built many temples, markets and public

baths surrounded by residential buildings. The Ottoman presence

that followed lasted until 1911, and most of the existing mosques

and public buildings were constructed during this period. Suburbs

began to spring up outside the walls at the end of the 19th century.

The ramparts were damaged during the Italian presence and when

it was bombed during the Second World War. The old city of Tripoli


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was designed along the lines of other Arab cities. Its narrow streets

are often covered and vaulted to shore up the walls of adjoining

houses70

The Islamic walled city or Madina possesses important

environmental and aesthetic characteristics. In the Madina both

resident and visitor alike can experience and enjoy the city's most

significant architectural values, its design, style, building materials,

skilled workmanship, beauty and uniqueness. A variety of buildings

and other features of the Madina serve to remind people about the

past, providing insight into the culture and history of previous

generations. These features show the different activities of people

who lived and worked in the Madina many centuries ago. In

addition to its distinctive architectural values, the Madina has a high

spiritual and symbolic significance based upon its history. Sense of

place and continuity through time are well expressed. The Madina

still hosts many special, long-standing cultural events and

.

70The World Heritage Center, UNESCO,http://portal.unesco.org/culture/es/file_download.php/3e14cf4c9202cf4efa37a11a6e2135a0Newsletter+no9.htm,accessed on December 13, 2010

celebrations throughout the year which also link people with their

heritage.

The unique space design in the Islamic Madina cannot be

found in other medieval or historic cities. The space is well defined

and organized with attention to privacy and community, its ancient

designers recognizing its inhabitants' cultural and social needs.

These values make the city worthy of being conserved and

promoted for today's use71

Marcus Aurelius Arch

. Among Tripolis ancient architectural

landmarks are the Marcus Aurelius triumphal arch (A.D. 163164),

the Karamanli Palace (1736), the Gurgi Mosque (1833), and the

Castle, or Citadel (first centuries A.D.; rebuilt in the 14th, 16th, and

20th centuries).

The arch is dating back to 163-164 AD, and its served as

entrance to the city. It was the only one of Oea. The arch contains

71Temehu, Tripoli: The Bride of The Mediterranean,www.temehu.com/Cities_sites/Tripoli.htm,accessed on Dec. 13,2010.
http://portal.unesco.org/culture/es/file_download.php/3e14cf4c9202cf4efa37a11a6e2135a0Newsletter+no9.htmhttp://portal.unesco.org/culture/es/file_download.php/3e14cf4c9202cf4efa37a11a6e2135a0Newsletter+no9.htmhttp://portal.unesco.org/culture/es/file_download.php/3e14cf4c9202cf4efa37a11a6e2135a0Newsletter+no9.htmhttp://portal.unesco.org/culture/es/file_download.php/3e14cf4c9202cf4efa37a11a6e2135a0Newsletter+no9.htmhttp://www.temehu.com/Cities_sites/Tripoli.htmhttp://www.temehu.com/Cities_sites/Tripoli.htmhttp://www.temehu.com/Cities_sites/Tripoli.htmhttp://portal.unesco.org/culture/es/file_download.php/3e14cf4c9202cf4efa37a11a6e2135a0Newsletter+no9.htmhttp://portal.unesco.org/culture/es/file_download.php/3e14cf4c9202cf4efa37a11a6e2135a0Newsletter+no9.htm


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fine decorations, showing Apollo and Minerva. Now-empty niches

contained statues of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus72

.

Fig 2.20: Marcus Aurelius arch

Karamanli Palace

Karamanli palace is dating back to the early 19th century,

built by Yusuf Karamanli. Some rooms on the 1st floor have been

turned into exhibits with dolls acting out everyday life. The

Karamanli family ruled Tripoli through most of 18th and half way

through the 19th century. With their fall, the house became

72Liberty International, Libya, Tripoli,www.liberty-international.org/libya/excursions-tripolitania/,accessed on Dec. 13, 2010.

consulate for the Italian state of Tuscany. The house was restored

during the early 1990s and became known as Tripoli Historical

Exhibition73.

Fig 2.21: Karamanli Palace,

Gurji Mosque:

The mosque of Gurji is Located west of Marcus Aurelius' , it

was built by Mustapha Gorji in 1834 AD, who was the head of the

port. The building includes a school and a tomb (or a grave) of the

founder. The project completed the maintenance and restoration of

73Ibid
http://www.liberty-international.org/libya/excursions-tripolitania/http://www.liberty-international.org/libya/excursions-tripolitania/http://www.liberty-international.org/libya/excursions-tripolitania/http://www.liberty-international.org/libya/excursions-tripolitania/http://www.liberty-international.org/libya/excursions-tripolitania/http://www.liberty-international.org/libya/excursions-tripolitania/


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this architectural group in the year 1994. The building is considered

one of the best examples of Islamic stone carvings and floral motifs

in the capital74(Fig. 2.22).

Fig 2.22: Right: The main hall of Gurji mosque, Lift: Islamic Inscriptions in the mosque

The Red Castel:

The castle of Tripoli, known as Assai al-Hamra or the Red

Castle, has been the fortress of many lords of this region through

the centuries. It was briefly the stronghold of Christian knights in

the 16th century, only to be expelled by Muslim pirates. It is

74Ibid

assumed that the first fortress was built in the 7th century, to

protect against the Muslim Arab invasion of Libya.

Fig 2, 23: The Red Castel, Tripoli, Libya

At least until the 17th century, it appears that all sides of the

fortress were surrounded by water. Much of the present structure

dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries, the plan is distinctly

Ottoman and includes a mosque, harem and numerous courtyards.

Additions by each ruling group in Tripoli give the building an

eclectic but beautiful style (Fig 2.23). The castel is today used by

the Jamahiriya Museum75

Modern Tripoli

.

In the face of rapid economic development, population

growth, people's increasing needs and changing lifestyles, large

75Ibid


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concrete buildings and busy streets dominate the new part of the

city. The old city is nearby (Fig. 2.24, 2.25), but these roads and

structures have a distinctly modern feel. Buildings are popping up

at a furious rate, in an effort to draw investors and demonstrate

Libya's success as an independent, self-sufficient nation.

Fig. 2.24: The modern shore of Tripoli reflecting the contrast between the old and new

buildings of the city

Fig. 2.25: The style of high-rise buildings in modern Tripoli

The modern city of Tripoli has been heavily influenced by

the global city type. Dominant urban features include commercial

city centers, multistory residential buildings, large shopping malls,

wide boulevards, an extensive network of highways, and sprawling

new suburbs. However, the residential concrete and glass boxes

that have been built in the modern part of the city dont

accommodate the local life style, inconsequence, nobody likes to

live in these undesired boxes, and people who occupy these blocks


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are either immigrants or needy people, who cannot afford their own

houses because of the high land cost. This kind of unintended

ignorance of the city context and the local culture leads the city to

lose its unique identity.

Fig. 2.26: Residential high-rise buildings in modern Tripoli

Fig2.27: Commercial and Residential high-rise building in the modern part of Tripoli

The most notable pieces of contemporary architecture in

modern Tripoli can be found on Tripoli's waterfront in the

northwestren part of the city, close to the port and the old

madina. Alfateh tower, a 26-floor office building was built in

1998, and it is one of the most famous towers in the city.

Alfateh tower was the tallest building in the city until 2010,

when the tower of Abulaila was built as a 34 - floor investment

tower.

Fig. 2.28: Right, Alfateh tower. Lift: Abulaila tower


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Projects in progress:

The following are some pictures that show some of Tripolis

ongoing high-rise buildings style, most of these projects are still under

construction, and they are representing the new generation of Tripolis

architecture. Most of these buildings continue to be designed as vertical

extrusions of an efficient floor plan and some of the modern ones are

iconic pieces of high-rise urban sculptures, and no one of them is

inspired by place, culture, or environment.

Fig. 2.29:10-story residential building is under construction. (Picture: Sep. 07, 2010)

Hydra Tripoli Tower

Location: Tripoli

Use: mixed-use tower includes: retail, hospitality, and offices76


.

Status: Under construction

Fig. 2.30: Hydra Tripoli Tower

Medina Tower high rise development in Tripoli

Location: Tripoli/Libya

76Walid El-Tigi / Yasser Fathy, Hydra Properties unveils Tripoli Towers in Libya,

zawea.com, Zawya,http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20081124090455/Hydra%20Properties%20unveils%20Tripoli%20Towers%20in%20Libya,accessed: Des 04, 2010
http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20081124090455/Hydra%20Properties%20unveils%20Tripoli%20Towers%20in%20Libyahttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20081124090455/Hydra%20Properties%20unveils%20Tripoli%20Towers%20in%20Libyahttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20081124090455/Hydra%20Properties%20unveils%20Tripoli%20Towers%20in%20Libyahttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20081124090455/Hydra%20Properties%20unveils%20Tripoli%20Towers%20in%20Libyahttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20081124090455/Hydra%20Properties%20unveils%20Tripoli%20Towers%20in%20Libya


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Use: Mixed-use includes apartments, a health club, offices, retail

space, conference and food and beverage facilities77

Site area: 12,500 square metres

Status: under construction

.


Fig. 2.31: Medina Tower, Tripoli, Libya

77Sidell Gibson Architects, Medina Towers, Tripoli,http://www.sidellgibson.co.uk/projects/hotels-and-overseas/medina-towers-tripoli.php,accessed on Des. 10, 2010.

New proposed skyscrapers on the sea front of the city

Fig. 2.32: The new skyscrapers of Tripoli (some of them are under construction): dwarfing

Boulayla and Alfatah towers.JW.Marriott Hotel (bottom right)
http://www.sidellgibson.co.uk/projects/hotels-and-overseas/medina-towers-tripoli.phphttp://www.sidellgibson.co.uk/projects/hotels-and-overseas/medina-towers-tripoli.phphttp://www.sidellgibson.co.uk/projects/hotels-and-overseas/medina-towers-tripoli.php


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view of Tripoli's waterfront afforded by the site is an additional

incentive for the choice of the site.

The tower will be constructed in Tripolis central business

district a short walks distance from the city's main square, as well

as the Gold Market. It will be 10 minutes away from Matiga Airport,

20 minutes away from the international airport, and within walking

distance of public transportation to all the citys localities.

Fig3.2: Zooming further to the site

The selected site is placed in the high-rise building district in

the current land-use map of the city of Tripoli (Fig. 3.3).78 At

present, the site is under excavation in preparation for the

construction of the new tower (Fig 3.7).

Fig 3.3: Tripolis district heights map

78Tripoli City Centres Urban and Architectural Charter, Tripoli urban fabricmap,http://www.iau-idf.fr/index.php?id=615&etude=717,accessed on Jan 10,2011.
http://www.iau-idf.fr/index.php?id=615&etude=717http://www.iau-idf.fr/index.php?id=615&etude=717http://www.iau-idf.fr/index.php?id=615&etude=717http://www.iau-idf.fr/index.php?id=615&etude=717


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3.3 Land-Use map

Since the site is located in Tripolis central business

district, diverse land uses, such as commercial, residential,

manufacturing, religious, and public gardens, are found in its

vicinity. The elevations of these buildings ar

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