Public Square Artwork Inspired by Saudi Culture

An Investigation into the Role of Digital Media and Generative Patterns Design in public square architecture in Saudi Arabia – Redesigning a Public Square in Saudi Arabia by adopting the Saudi and Islamic geometrical patterns as design themes/inputs as generative systems, using the techniques facilitated by computer-aided and algorithmic-parametric design software. Public Artworks contribute to the formation of identity; therefore, the project is concerned with preserving the elements of Saudi culture. The Public Square contain many activities to create a space for people to sit in, talk, and meet by providing urban benches, green areas, water bodies, and shading devices.

 

 

 

The ‘research-then-design’ process, began by setting the initial goals for the research project, which included translating the history of Saudi Arabia and telling stories through architecture and design, in addition to engaging the community and creating designs that stimulate communication and give the community opportunities to participate. However, the most important and fundamental goal of the study is to examine the potential of 3D digital technologies as a representational modelling and generative tool in this process. The importance of this project lies in exploring the role of pattern-based generative computing systems such as Rhino and Grasshopper in the design of public spaces or squares in Saudi Arabia. In addition to the vital role in the research project, preserving the heritage and the Saudi and Islamic geometric patterns. furthermore, the project will investigate the role of generative Islamic pattern software in bridging the gap between space and geometry thinking.

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Cultural Background

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia contains five regions, listing the differences between these areas in terms of culture, which depended on geographical and environmental differences. These variations led to several cultural arts in various areas, including architecture, geometric patterns, poems, dance, and music. The Research Project focused on the cultural diversity of both the Saudi architectural and geometrical patterns.

Side View

The Project Site - Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia

Top View

parametric site analysis - Wind Rose

The parametric site analysis process through the authoring of algorithmic scripts in Ladybug and Honeybee based on data from the US department of Energy. The parametric site analysis is done dynamically through designing many scripts to study the solar radiation, the temperature, the sun path, and the wind speed by entering the location map of the project. This is all within specific time range (analysis period) in which the study is to be carried out. Specifying the summer days, months, hours or choosing a specific month, hour, day during winter, can lead to a very detailed and directed analysis to examine variations of data over time.

Parametric site analysis - Sun Path and Temperature

The parametric site analysis process through the authoring of algorithmic scripts in Ladybug and Honeybee based on data from the US department of Energy. The parametric site analysis is done dynamically through designing many scripts to study the solar radiation, the temperature, the sun path, and the wind speed by entering the location map of the project. This is all within specific time range (analysis period) in which the study is to be carried out. Specifying the summer days, months, hours or choosing a specific month, hour, day during winter, can lead to a very detailed and directed analysis to examine variations of data over time.

Parametric site analysis - Solar Radiation

The parametric site analysis process through the authoring of algorithmic scripts in Ladybug and Honeybee based on data from the US department of Energy. The parametric site analysis is done dynamically through designing many scripts to study the solar radiation, the temperature, the sun path, and the wind speed by entering the location map of the project. This is all within specific time range (analysis period) in which the study is to be carried out. Specifying the summer days, months, hours or choosing a specific month, hour, day during winter, can lead to a very detailed and directed analysis to examine variations of data over time.

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The Shading Device - Conception of an Algorithmic Islamic Patterns for shading devices.

The shading is specifically designed to solve an initial site problem which is the climate. It is mainly designed to protect the square from sunlight achieving thermal comfort. For the design to be successfully working, it was created to adjust itself as needed script was created with an attractor point that lets the patterns move to track the sun path and block the unpleasant sun rays.

Conception of Urban benches algorithmically

Design algorithmic benches used to design urban benches outdoor areas for different activities and the needs of varying age groups. It generates a variety in height, deformation, and seating space to cater to different sitting and relaxing conditions.

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