The Origins of Smart Architecture Reinterpreting

Traditional Intelligent Buildings and Spaces.

University of BahrainStudents’ Scientific Day

Ali A. Alraouf, Ph.D.alialraouf@gmail.com

1. Introduction Redefine Smart ArchitectureComprehensive Understanding of Smart Architecture

"What we have, basically, is the first footwear product that can change its characteristics in real time," said Mr. DiBenedetto, who led the group that created the shoe

Smart Village project in Cairo – Egypt, is it really smart?The Design Vision. The End Product.

2. Towards a Definition of Smart Architecture:

Smart, Intelligent or Sustainable.

A close-up shot of a wall of the institut du Monde Arabe in Paris. The small metal plates automatically control the amount of natural light that streams inside, ensuring the maximum beauty of the objects on exhibit while preventing any damage caused by the sunshine.

I've never heard of a building with auto exposure before. Great idea! Looks like a lot of moving parts -- an engineering nightmare -- hope it doesn't break too often!

3. Learning from Nature

Nature, Particularly biology, provides us with a wealth of design solutions.

Nature always illustrates that smartness is a matter of finding the right solution in a given problem

situation

4. The Power of Technology

5. The Intelligence of Appropriateness"We seem to know the COST ofeverything and the VALUE of nothing."  Oscar Wilde

Middle Eastern Cities

Crisis of Contemporary Crisis of Contemporary ArchitectureArchitecture

6. Intelligent Building is a Process not a Product

7. Intelligent Aspects of Traditional Architecture

                                               

                                                  

                                                     

                                                      

  

                                               

                                                  

                                                     

                                                      

  

‘There is one timeless way of building. It is thousands of years old, and the same today as it always has been.’

Christopher Alexander, The Timeless Way of Building.

7.1. The Traditional Patterns of Smart Architecture

Yazd City, Iran

7.2. Structure and Hierarchy of 7.2. Structure and Hierarchy of PatternsPatterns

•7.2.1. Planning Patterns•7.2.2. Urban Patterns•7.2.3. Architectural Patterns

7.2.1. Planning Patterns7.2.1. Planning Patterns1. Settlements volume and locations.2. Appropriate network of roads.3. Natural wind breakers.4. Settlements borders and barriers.5. Productive green fields: Bustan.6. Oasis as center for life.7. Pedestrian networks.8. Water well’s location and accessibility.

7.2.2. Urban Patterns1. The Mosque: sacred and social order2. Oasis center: people’ space.3. The market as a social and public space: Souq.4. Community school.

7.2.3. Architectural Patterns

1. Smart Geometry: Social or 1. Smart Geometry: Social or Sacred.Sacred.

2. Courtyard as a positive space.2. Courtyard as a positive space. 3. Accumulated architecture.3. Accumulated architecture. 4. Green boundaries.4. Green boundaries. 5. Domes and vaults.5. Domes and vaults. 6. Tents and robes.6. Tents and robes.

7. Local Materials 8. Wind Catchers (Malkaf). 9. Intimate spaces and places. 10. Limited external windows and

openings. 11. Breathing Thick walls 12. Organic growth of architectural

masses.

Architectural Patterns, Cont.

Contemporary Regional Examples

Hassan Fathy in his studio

Halawa House,

Abdel Wahid Alwakil 1981

Alharania Community Project,

Ramses W. Wasif

Rasem Badran

Rifat Jadergi

Abdel Halim Ibrahim

8. 8. ConclusionsConclusions"Before making any decision, consider its impact on 7 "Before making any decision, consider its impact on 7

generations."generations." Iroquois Iroquois Confederation of NationsConfederation of Nations •Cultural awareness. •Contextual circumstances are so crucial to be considered in the design and building process of smart architecture.•Smart architecture does not reject technology. •Smart buildings can be as elegant as other buildings. •Smart buildings are the product of both smart design and building process. •Smart and appropriate should be seen as two sides of the same coin. • Encouraging research about smart architecture in the middle east based on learned lessons from traditional and vernacular architecture.

Thank You Ali A. Alraouf

Towards Smart,

And Appropriate Architecture