Envirocities Dubai, Nov. 28-29 , 2010

Dr. M. Nabyl Chenaf

Architecture Department

American University in Dubai

Urban Matrix

• Multidimensional • Economic

• Legal

• Socio-cultural

• Ecological

• Technical

• Decisional

• Philosophical

• Interactive

• Dynamic

• Predictable?

P(c) = P(a) x p(b) x ...p(n) + p(k)

Pressure groups•Urban design involves several operators/actors = conflict in interests

•Urban design solutions = an educated compromise between pressure groups

•Green design should address the issue mentioned above at a very early stage of design

Deductive Vs Inductive• Three layers

• Universal: objective

• Cultural: Consensus

• Individual: Subjective

Urban designers should develop an awareness of the three layers mentioned above as in:

Passive cooling is quantifiable and measurable, thus objective, yet could be perceived by certain groups as retrograde while individuals might like it or dislike it.

• Green design mainly follows a deductive process but should integrate intuitive, heuristic thinking in order to encourage creative solutions.

Modular

•A modular structure (5.40 x 5.40) has been systematically used for the housing units

•(10.80 x 10.80 x 3.35), 10.80 x 3.34 is the golden section

Advantges•5.40m x 5.40m is:

• a multiple of 60 cm x 60cm

• two parking slots• Optimal span for

conventional concrete • A good span for Siporex

panels• A staircase + 2lifts • Green design should

devise a strategy aiming at reducing building materials waste, minimum impact on the site and mass production , yet...

Create a wide variety of space•Different mass/void ratios

•Organic looking shapes hiding geometric rigor

•Rely on shadow and form to create enclosure

Order Vs Chaos •Central technical shafts for staircases, lifts, when needed, and MEP act also as structural elements at the urban scale, they create a certain rhythm and order.

•The housing units are assembled (around the shafts) in a way to create the impression of chaos, which adds a vernacular feel to the place.

The garden terraces compensate for the built area on the ground

Some philosophical questions to be answered at an early stage of design

•Diversity Vs Unity

•Efficiency Vs Effectiveness

•Harmony Vs Tension

•Reproduce Vs Introduce

•Green designers should be effective , create effects and accordingly, efficiency is only the means to achieve that not an end in itself

Use the right software•Green designers should choose carefully their software.•User-friendly to save time, energy and resources•BIM along with plug-ins that allow a quick estimation of energy consumption, quantities, etc.

Testing solutionsIn terms of:

•Massing

•Proportions

•Materials

•Energy

•Potential levels of social interaction

•Aesthetic appeal

Testing solutions

Testing solutions

The fort The new settlement is overlooking the town from a hill and therefore offers a view from both sides.

This proposal is suggesting a series of hotels, SPAs, restaurants, cafes, sport and health facilities and shopping centres surrounding housing acting like an old fortification plunging into the water reviving the “pont-levis” tradition.

FloodingFloating platforms on a 60cm deep pond with mirrors at the base to increase the impression of depth, represent a memorial for the severe flooding suffered in September 2009, which should help create a collective memory as to the respect of nature (global warming). It is also an opportunity to offer a view of a beautiful waterfall sliding down on Zeflopanels lit at night using LEDs.

“DEPENSES Productives”•The developers have agreed to harvest solar energy along the linear park as well as the main park where a large heliostat will be built to collect the heat from the 300 sunny days of the year.•Rainwater is also harvested to be reused for irrigation and water effects which not only add an aesthetic and symbolic value to the place but also contribute to the climatic comfort. Both the housing units which are designed like grouped villas and which can easily be rented as furnished apartments and the energy generated which significantly exceeds the needs of the neighbourhood should represent an investment with immediate and long term returns.

The Green Factory (France)The Green Factory specializes in the molding and processing of natural fibers. It works with Toulouse-based laboratory AGROMAT on 3D Zelfo applications.

Accoya® wood is the most durable wood possible, it is non-toxic, safely reused and recycledDurability class 1 - the most durable wood possibleimproved carbon sequestration potentialimproved dimensional stability and UV resistance improves the life of coatings, hardness is increased

produced from abundantly available and fast-growing sources such as Radiata Pine, environmentally compatible substitute for carbon intensive materials, fully reusable and recyclable, the process does not compromise the wood’s natural beauty - Cradle to CradleSM Gold Certificate

Test the validity of urban solutions as to the human scale, visual interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces , movement and mass.