Browsing by Author "Sadek, Mohamed"

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Artificial Intelligence as a pedagogical tool for architectural education: What does the empirical evidence tell us?
(October university for modern sciences and Arts MSA, 2023) Sadek, Mohamed; Abdel Gelil Mohamed, Nermine
Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in arts and design have been growing in popularity in recent years. Numerous AI program applications are publicly available, both commercial and open source, offering a chance to convert the textual description of a design or context into original content images. While many research projects tackled AI use in architecture since 2015, there seems to be a lack of empirical evidence of its use in Architecture education as a tool for concept generation. An experimental architecture design course took place in Fall 2022 where 34 students utilised AI programs in the conceptual design phase to produce original content images from narratives to help students generate concepts for their buildings. The designs of the experimental student groups are compared to another control group of 50 students which use more traditional conceptual design methods on a similar project in the same semester. This paper aims to highlight the opportunities and challenges of using AI tools in the concept generation phase in architecture design education by measuring their effectiveness to increase creativity in form finding. With the use of recent literature in architecture learning theories and pedagogies, this experimental approach will be critiqued to provide further insights into AI’s role in architecture education.
A smart green mashrabiyya-shutter design for residential applications in Egypt
(Taylor and Francis Ltd, 2023-09) Mohamed, Nermine Abdel Gelil; Abd El-Rahman, Eslam Hamid; Sadek, Mohamed
The revival of traditional latticework mashrabiyya is continually urged in the Middle East and North Africa to address conflicting needs since it optimally balances environmental, social, and aesthetic functions. However, its material and craftsmanship costs and inflexibility are significant barriers. This study aims to provide a preliminary design for a green, smart mashrabiyya-like shutter responsive to climatic conditions and privacy needs in Egypt, manufactured with palm midribs, a waste material available in the MENA region due to annual trimming. The simple, yet responsive and traditional design outlined in this study has a considerable potential for residential applications not only in Egypt, but also in similar socio-environmental contexts. The design generation is based on three steps: 1) constructing a static model that maintains the basic socio-environmental needs, manufactured with palm midrib patterns, 2) mod- eling dynamic functions, using Grasshopper/Ladybug, through standardizing slats and deciding upon visibility and adjustable parts, and 3) integrating smart controls based on comfort indexes and indoor climatic readings. Using a simple circuit fitted with sensors, actuators, and a microcontroller, the design of a latticework shutter responsive to climate and privacy was generated. The concept depends on computing indoor weather data and comparing them to thermal, daylight, and wind comfort indexes. Consequently, automated deci- sions could be made to regulate the shutter parts in two ways: 1) its opening angle and 2) openness between the slats. Ultimately, the operating concept of the smart shutter in a room and automated flowcharts that make decisions in daytime and nighttime modes were proposed.