Parametric Hypercell Mechanism for Adaptive Building Skin: A Case Study in New Administrative Capital, Egypt

Abstract

The majority of the curtain wall (glazed) facades architectural proposals in the Middle East are double-skin facades with static structures such as utilizing the passive control method to respond to routine or normal conditions of weather. Nevertheless, the microclimate around the building changes dynamically and unpredictably. The study discusses, analyzes, and focuses on the role of designing dynamic parametric adaptive patterns in architecture. Therefore, the problem is how to use the methods of active control technology that could support more versatile interactive features to respond to the variance of climate conditions using parametric design software tools such as Rhino/Grasshopper programs that allow variable geometry to design the adaptive dynamic patterns to obtain thermal comfort inside buildings. The main objective of this study is to create a framework that provides a design strategy of a "parametric hyper-cell" that will be done by analyzing its phases: designing theories, patterns types, and system technologies, then will present the process to innovate a prototype design of "parametric hyper cell" as a particularly façades to be applied on the facade of the case study "Epic complex" building in Cairo, Egypt as an example for studying by advanced computer modeling software and simulation tools, such as Grasshopper/ ladybug, honeybee have been used to create and analyze its efficiency for the building skin (envelope), and that will be suitable for Egypt facades.