Tectonics

What is Tectonics?Tectonics is a word that has various meanings at different levels. So in order to define it we need to explore those levels (in relevance to Architecture).

Tectonics and Architecture Tectonics as a Model of Analysis Tectonics as a Design Tectonics as a Sustainability Approach

Tectonics and Architecture (Architectonics):

It’s the study of how the walls, roofs, floors, and other visual (normally) planar elements of the building are assembled.

Tectonics should be defined by its origin, which was simply "to build”.

Its also the discussion of the form of the building, and the designers use of physical elements to create the general design of the structure.It usually involves the specific revelation of building elements, and pulling mechanical functions, circulation, or even the structure outside the buildings envelope.

Tectonic Architecture brings focus to 3 main fields:

The use of resources (material)

The methods of processing (fabrication)

The definition of systems (context)

“Tectonics is to create material realities that reveal narrative

meaning. Tectonics is to construct with cultural

references”

“A raw construction holds a special poetic dimension by being both finished and unfinished at the same time. The raw building shows the very essence of its constructive nature and challenges the creativity and involvement of the users to compose their own layers of meaning upon what is already there.”

ʻTectonic thinking – defined as a central attention towards the nature, the making, and the application of building materials (construction) and how this attention forms a creative force in building constructions, structural features and architectural design (construing) – can be used to identify and refine strategies for improving contemporary building industry

Tectonics as a Model of Analysis:

For Tectonic Analysis the following three levels are suggested: Product level – focusing

on assembly of various elements or building components

System level – focusing on integration of various systems

Building level – focusing on organization concepts for various building constructions/designs

Tectonics as a Design:Tectonics is both the making of a building and the rationale of its construction. It gives shape, scale, texture and warmth to architectural space. It is considered a design when the material and technique have a significant impact on the initial idea about form, in such a way that the final structure/design can be said to be a consequence of material and technique

It is regarded as artistic creation – having only secondary focus on the functional content in architecture.It discusses artistic design based on architectural physical structures and materials – rather than focusing on functional aspects of architecture and its everyday use.

Its having an organized and unified structure that suggests an architectural design

Tectonics as a Sustainability Approach:

By focusing on tectonics in the design of buildings, a link between the design of the structure and the way it is understood by the user/owner of the building is formed.

The user gets actively involved in the understanding of the potentials embedded in the structure. This knowledge can help the user both in the handling of the building at a daily basis and in a future reconstruction of the building structure.

In this way, Tectonics can form the platform for strategies in order to ensure a sustainable use of resources through the lifespan of the building by creating an understanding of the logic and the potentials of the building construction among the users/owners.

Project Proposal

Tectonic Sustainable Design for Buildings in Sudan

What is Sustainable Design?• Sustainable design is a philosophical approach

to design, that seeks to maximize the quality of the built environment while minimizing or eliminating the negative impact to the environment.

• Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance.

• The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments

• Sustainable design principles include the ability to:

– optimize site potential;– minimize non-renewable energy consumption;– use environmentally preferable products;– protect and conserve water;– enhance indoor environmental quality; and– optimize operational and maintenance

practices

Sustainable Design in Hot-Arid Climates (Sudan)• Main Climatic Characteristics:

– Distinct wet and dry seasons.– Low rainfall and low humidity.– Not extreme cold but can be cool in winter.– Hot to very hot summers common.– Significant diurnal (day/night) range.

• Design Criteria for Hot-Arid Climates:

– Use passive solar design with insulated thermal mass– Maximize cross ventilation– Evaporative cooling or ceiling fans should be used if

required– Consider convective (stack) ventilation, which vents

rising hot air while drawing in cooler air– Site home for solar access and exposure to cooling

breeze– Shade all east and west glass in summer– Install reflective insulation to keep out heat in

summer– Use bulk insulation in ceilings and walls– Build screened, shaded summer outdoor living areas

that allow winter sun penetration– Use garden ponds and water features to provide

evaporative cooling

International Case Study 2 :

• Primary Healthcare Centre,(India– September 2011)

International Case Study 2 :

• The Samitaur Tower,(Los Angeles– June 2011)

Local Case Study 1:• Container Medical Compound for The

Salam Centre,(Soba, Khartoum – Sudan 2009)

• The Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery,(Soba, Khartoum – Sudan 2007)

Local Case Study 2:

Thank You!