Computing without Computer

“Computing without Computer” presents the master project fulfilled by Arch. Ahmed Hussein Ezzat and his team at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London in 2009-2011.

The research was undertaken under the AADRL 2011 Agenda “Protodesign 2” which investigates digital and material methods of computational prototyping in order to develop systemic design applications that are scenario and time based. The material based design research proposes a self-organisational model of material formation that generates a temporal architecture with a designed life-cycle. “35 Degree” team expanded Frei Otto’s research into sand formations into a computational design system by inventing a material system and fabrication process that enables the prefabrication of complex spatial assemblies from sand, salt and water.

The scheme was received enthusiastically by an international jury at the final review, and was awarded a Project Distinction – the highest and rarest recognition of achievement possible within the DRL program.

Ahmed Hussein Abouelkheir is an architect graduated with a Master in Architecture + Urbanism from the Architectural Association School of Architecture’s Design Research Laboratory (AA.DRL) in London after having previously studied the master degree in Alexandria University in 2009. Ahmed teaches at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Alexandria where he has been graduated in 2001. His interdisciplinary design experience includes the participation in Venice Biennale of Architecture in 2004 and awards in urban, architecture and furniture design competitions. Currently he is involved in ENCODE – Design studio for Research and Architecture- in Alexandria and furthering his research as a PhD at “Ecole Malquais” in Paris.

Links:

// Research Blog: http://sandworks.org/
// Research Video: http://vimeo.com/25517914
// Research Brief: http://issuu.com/blueblack911/docs/aadrl_sand

// AA School of Architecture: http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/aadrl/
// DRL Master Program: http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/aadrl/