WWF Architects Designs
Introduction:
First prize winning competition project
Dubai
2015
GFA: 17,716 m²
Use: mixed use building, office
Architecture Team: Javier Angel | Rima
Obeid | Marina Eremija
Facade Design: Wisam Allami |
Hatem Al Khafaji
3D Visualization: Hatem Al Khafaji |
Josephus Taboada
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| The mixed-used building includes several terraces, green space and walls, and interior planters Reference: http://www.designboom.com/architecture/wwf-architects-chameleon-mixed-use-office-building-12-30-2015/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016 |
The ‘chameleon’ is a prize-winning competition proposal for a mixed-use office building by dubai-based wanders werner falasi consulting architects. The design was developed after a thorough site analysis, and is predominately concerned with principles of bio-mimicry. For example, the hexagonal shapes that dominate the façades are derived from cell structures. The office also draws from, as you may have guessed, the chameleon and its highly-adaptable skin.
The
latter has several connections to building elements, including nighttime LED
illumination and integrated thermo-regulation. Climate control is accomplished
through smart façade units — i.e. the hexagons — which mechanically adapt to
the sun’s trajectory. When receiving too much heat, each component closes to
seal the structure. Likewise, when too cold, or dark, they open.
The
office has fixed PV nano cells located in portions of exterior walls that
collect sunlight throughout the day. Energy that isn’t expended for the
building’s daytime needs is used to illuminate thousands of LEDs at night. This
is regarded as a mirror of the structure’s dynamic inner activity, the animal
itself, and on a more conceptual level, the collective, constantly changing
mood of its inhabitants.
Process:
First, facade surfaces are created in Rhino based on the plans elevations:
Then, the openings of the modules are moved perpendicular to the surface and is moved to all of the cells of the hexagons.
In order to create the structure as shown in the figure below, the Hexagon mesh and connecting cables are later created Using the LunchBox node. These divisions are projected on the glazing surface to create the triangular mesh.
As this process is applied for each surface, there should be a connection between different modules. The following figure illustrates the process of connecting the modules and meshes at the edges.
One of the most important features of this design is the openings and their area based on their direction.
Therefore, window-to-wall ratio is chosen for the analysis of this project.
An example of parametric change of the model is shown below:
The specifications of the model can also be extracted from physics engine. Below is an example of utilizing physics engine to create the protrusion in the model in a solid object.
Sample Screenshot:
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| ‘Chameleon’ and front plaza Reference: http://www.designboom.com/architecture/wwf-architects-chameleon-mixed-use-office-building-12-30-2015/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016 |
First, facade surfaces are created in Rhino based on the plans elevations:
 |
| Plans Reference: http://www.wwf-architects.com/index#/the-chameleon/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016 |
Then, the openings of the modules are moved perpendicular to the surface and is moved to all of the cells of the hexagons.
In order to create the structure as shown in the figure below, the Hexagon mesh and connecting cables are later created Using the LunchBox node. These divisions are projected on the glazing surface to create the triangular mesh.
 |
| Facade Detail Reference: http://www.wwf-architects.com/index#/the-chameleon/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016 |
As this process is applied for each surface, there should be a connection between different modules. The following figure illustrates the process of connecting the modules and meshes at the edges.
One of the most important features of this design is the openings and their area based on their direction.
 |
| Reference: http://www.wwf-architects.com/index#/the-chameleon/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016 |
The parameters that can be controlled in this model are divided into global parameters and local parameters. Global parameters control the values in all of the surfaces and local parameters manipulate the values for each individual surface. Although these two categories are specified, each of the parameters can be changed between these two categories for each surface and at any point of the process.
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| Interchangable global and local parameters |
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| The option of assigning one or different value to opening |
The specifications of the model can also be extracted from physics engine. Below is an example of utilizing physics engine to create the protrusion in the model in a solid object.
Sample Screenshot:
