Accessing BIM Data for Creative Design and Applications

Introduction:

For this project, we need to extend the functionality of parametric BIM, using Revit Dynamo. Therefore, this project is an extension of my midterm project. In the first place I tried to make my building parametric which I could not achieve in the previous project. 

Fig 1: Modelling concept of Aldar Headquarters

Fig 2: Change in the thickness of the panel

  

The architect of the building specified that the main facades of the building were defined by using toroidal geometry cut by a cylinder to create the perfect circle in elevation. By using this, each horizontal section through the facade is described by a circle of varying radii at different heights with their centers passing through the same vertical axis. Following the above concept I created a parametric model using Revit which also works using the Dynamo code in Fig 3.

Fig 3: Dynamo code to change the parameters of the building

According to the design of the building, it requires around 10,000 different sizes of panels. Therefore, the designers changed it in such a way that only 10 sizes of panels are required. This is done by changing the thickness of the frames alternatively for each floor such that it will be a mirror image for all the floors staring from the equator of the building. The change in the size of the panel is incorporated as shown in the Fig 2.

Fig 4: Dynamo code which changes the material according to the pattern

I tried to adopt the same concept by changing the thickness of the frames and angles gradually for the panels. To achieve this I used the dynamo code to vary the thicknesses of the frames as mentioned above. The color of the panel material (Glass) is changed to represent the variation in the thicknesses. The code uses an excel file which represents the pattern of variation (The panels will be repeated in the given sequence).A python script shown in the Fig 5 is used to connect the different parameters and the elements.

Fig 5: Python script for varying the thickness

Fig 6: Excel file to change the pattern

Fig 7: Application of the pattern using dynamo

Fig 8: Dynamo code for sun angle and azimuth angle

Fig 9: Dynamo code to rotate the panel w.r.t sun and azimuth angle

To change the orientation of the panels with the sun direction, I wrote a code, starting with the concept of finding the sun angle and azimuth angle with respect to the surface. Then, applied the curtain panels to one surface of the rectangular mass and changed the orientation of the panels along two axes with respect to the sun direction. The panels will be rotated w.r.t to both sun angle and azimuth angle with the change in time.

Fig 10: Rotation of the panels’ w.r.t angles

In the figures below the thicknesses of the curtain panels are changed accordingly with the change in time and date.

Fig 11: Change in the type and thickness of the frames w.r.t sun orientation

Fig 12: Change in the type and thickness of the frames w.r.t sun orientation

ARCH 653:Project 2-Video
Youtube Link:http://youtu.be/eMNsdGvs64I

ARCH 653 Project-1

Description:

The project is based on Aldar Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.  This iconic commercial building is the first circular building of its kind in Middle East, headquarters of Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi. The concept of the building has been inspired by the clam shell that has a deep meaning for Abu Dhabi with its maritime heritage and symbolism of the geometric round shape. The architect Marwan Zgheib to whom the power of the monument is in its simplicity imagined two giant circular curved walls that evoke an open shell.

Fig (1): Aldar Headquarters Building, Abu Dhabi

Design Intent:

This building has a distinctive design and innovative architecture which is completely circular, fully glazed in the elevation view and also curved in all other directions. This building consists of two circular convex shaped facades joined by a thin skin of glass material. The important feature is to achieve the façade shape on which is the diagrid of steel and the glass skin.

Fig (2):3D-Model of the building in Revit

 To achieve the complete building model two different components mass model and the façade of the building must be created.

Mass Modelling:

The mass model of the building is created using three circles of varying radii and heights at each horizontal section, with their centers along the same vertical axis. A solid form is created with the three circles. Unlike the existing four façade structures, the two circular facades are connected by a thin continuous structural glass band.

Fig (3): Mass Model of the building

Façade:

The façade is modelled by creating a loft and void extrusions to achieve the desired façade shape of the building. It is created using following steps:

Step 1- Draw three reference lines with varying radii to create a form.

Fig (4): Create Reference Lines

Step 2-The form must be cut using void extrusion to achieve the desired shape. The parameters are assigned to vary the radii and width of the form.

Fig (5): Cut the form using Void Extrusion

        Fig (6):Screenshot1-Varying Radius 

  Fig (7): Screenshot2-Varying Width

Step 3-As the façade shape of the building is not completely circular in shape, create a void extrusion to get the shape by varying the parameters.

Fig (8): Create a Void Extrusion

          Fig (9): screenshot3-Varying Width    

                    

Fig (10): Screenshot4-Varying Radius

Curtain Panel:

In order to achieve the curved glass skin, the triangular glass panels are embedded into the diamond glass like shape. Therefore, it is created as a custom curtain panel pattern using the rhomboid pattern as a base. The rectangular glass panels with a divided surface are created and imported on to the surface of the rhomboid pattern to get the glazed façade curvature. The glazed curved façade is obtained by assigning this curtain panel to the surface of the facade shape created.

       Fig (11): Rectangular Glass Panel  

                Fig (12): Custom Curtain panel

Fig (13): Façade Shape

Renderings:

The mass model and the façade is loaded into the project and the exterior and interior renderings of the buildings are created.

 Fig (14): Interior Rendering of the Building-1

Fig (15): Interior Rendering of the Building-2

Fig (16): Exterior Rendering of the Building

Critics about Revit Application:

Revit cannot calculate the number of grids to be given on the divided surface for a particular curtain panel pattern. So, the user must try assigning with different number of grids which is time consuming when the pattern has more components. In Revit it is cumbersome to assign varying parameters such as appearance to the same element at different locations whereas it can be assigned easily using programming.

Project Video