Green Tensile

Tensile fabric structures can be environment friendly. It may achieve several LEED points. LEED is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design which is created by United States Green Building Council as a guideline and certification tool for energy efficient sustainable buildings 1.

Translucent membrane. Source: European Design Guide. 

Tensile membrane structures can be translucent. Translucency can vary from 10 to 20 percent depending the material of membrane but there are membranes with 40 percent translucency 2. As a result daylight is enhanced in interior reducing costs for electrical lighting.

Reflection of Solar radiation. Source: European Design Guide

There are membranes like Tensotherm, which can act as insulator. It prevents solar gain in summer and preserve heat in winter 1. Multilayer membrane construction also has the same effect 2. 

Medina Umbrella. Source: European Design Guide  

Tensile membrane structures are very flexible in shape. Various convertible and umbrella structures can be constructed using membrane 2. Fabric structures can be adapted in various site conditions.

Supporting cable and steel structures. Source: European Design Guide 

Tensile membrane structures involve fewer components in construction like steel and cable rather than traditional building construction. As a result it saves expenses 1. For example large stadium roofs can be cover by membranes using cables.

Cable & beam supported membrane. Source: European Design Guide

References:
1.http://www.birdair.com/sustainableDesign/reduced_material_usage.aspx
2. European Design Guide for Tensile Surface Structures.

IMS, September 2011

We batch '11 at IMS

My visit to IMS in September 2011 was full of experiences. We visited Berlin, presented our projects, attended exams, lectures, enjoyed party. It started with the lost of my baggage in Istanbul, then it came after 3days later. We started our semester with Berlin tour, then in next day presentation of our projects were held. My presentation was well appreciated. After that day lecture series were held for 7days with exams, which was very exhausting for us. But after all I enjoyed every class specially James classes and pneumatic structure classes. Though days in IMS were very quick but i enjoyed it very much.

Prof. Off giving lecture before presentation.

Presentation of Jao

Presentation of Carla

Presentation of  Imran vai

My presentation.

 At work.

Napping after presentation

Lecture at classroom.

Berlin Tour, September 2011 Part02

Reichstag Dome, Berlin

We made a short trip by boat in Berlin, which was a one of the most memorable events to me. We saw the beauty of Berlin, as ferry went through the canal in the heart of Berlin. After that in afternoon we went to parliament building of Germany which they called Reichstag. It was almost destroyed by bombing during World War II, later in 1992 through a competition Architect Lord Norman Foster renovated it. The glass dome of the building was the most striking feature, it contained a huge mirror cone which reflects sunlight below the parliament chamber. There were circular spiral stairs up to the top level of the glass dome. Finally our journey to Berlin ended there. It was a great experience to me. 

Water ways of Berlin.

Life near the water way

Journey by ferry in Berlin waterway.

A bridge by Architect Santiago Calatrava

Parliament offices, Berlin

Parliament offices

Home of German Chancellor.

Inside view of Reichstag.

Reflected light from dome above.

Light reflector in dome

Spiral walkway

me in Reichstag

Berlin Tour, September 2011 Part01

Potsdamer Platz, Berlin

Last September, we went to see the largest and greatest city of Germany, Berlin. Potsdamer platz is the city center of Berlin with hightech and modern architecture. Potsdamer platz was   devastated during World War II by allied forces. After reunification of Germany, a huge development scheme was undertaken to reestablish its past glory. Architects around the world were asked to design Potsdamer Platz. Among these architects were Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers, Arata Isozaki. Sony Center was one of the most magnificent structure, I ever visited. The centre was designed by German architect Helmut Jahn. Its a huge complex containing shops, restaurants, a conference centre, hotels, condominiums, offices, art and film museums, cinemas under a single huge tensile roof. I really enjoyed Sony Center. Use of glass and steel in modern buildings of Berlin attracted me.

Architecture by Renzo Piano, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin

Architecture by Renzo Piano, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin

Architecture by Renzo Piano, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin

Architecture by Renzo Piano, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin

Sony Center tensile roof, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin

Sony Center tensile roof, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin

Sony Center beneath tensile roof, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin

Architecture by Richard Rogers, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin

A peculiar building in Berlin.

A modern building in Berlin

Modern glass facade building in Berlin.

Me in Potsdamer Platz, Berlin

My Architecture assignment, September 2011

My presentation page.

Beloved Pro. Robert Off, course teacher of Architecture, asked us to submit a membrane structure for a railway station in Ethiopia. Ethiopian climate and culture should be considered for this project. I started with a idea of water harvesting in Ethiopia since there were several droughts in Ethiopia killing millions of people. My idea was to design eye loops as funnels to collect water in rainy season and use it in dry season. These eye loops were clamped with transparent ETFE foil, so that Sunlight can penetrate in the station. My another idea was also to create a transient play of light and shadow within the station since Ethiopia was located near the equator and had bright sunlight. I arranged these eyeloops along the railway platform and these eyeloops are connected with water collecting channels.

2nd page with patternig and details.

My Bionic Assignment

Concept.

I enjoyed my bionic assignment. My primary inspiration for my assignment was sea shells. Their beautiful organic structures attract me. The site for the assignment was at the bank of Rhine river of Colonge, Germany. The site exiting views of the city. The program was to accommodate a temporary exhibition titled "Save our World". The exhibition has four parts: humanity observes, humanity alarmed, humanity thinks, humanity acts.
I worked with the section of a sea shell and juxtapose arcs with it to find a shape which finally incorporates the program. The material was pvc coated polyester since it is suitable for temporary structures as well as has good fire rating and supporting structure was steel arch space frame.

Site.

Shape finding.

Structure.

Exhibition space.

Day renders.

Night renders.

IMS, March 2011

Prof. Robert Off explaining a model.

In March 2011 at IMS institute for membrane & shell technologies, Dessau, Germany, we made a physical model for a given situation. Prof. Robert Off explained each model one by one about their problems and possibilities to improve them. It helped me a lot to clear my conception on membrane. The lab facilities are also good, every facilities are there to make a model. Prof. Off also showed us different parts of cable system, wire ropes which were used with membranes.

Students working at lab.

I am working with Aleksander.

My model.

My model from different angle.

Prof. Off explaining cable systems.

Parts cable system.

Keder profile.

Keder.

Me with friends.