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Ahmed K. Ali

Texas A&M University, Architecture, Faculty Member

Virginia Tech, School of architecture + design, Alumnus

Bilkent University, Architecture, Faculty Member

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Ahmed is an associate professor of architecture at Texas A&M University. He has been teaching and practicing architecture in the United States, Italy, Turkey, and Egypt since 1998. Dr. Ali earned his Ph.D. and Masters degrees in Architecture and Design Research from Virginia Tech School of Architecture + Design, a Bachelor degree of Fine Arts in Architecture from Alexandria University and a Scuola Primaria (sezione asilo-elementari) Diploma  from Istituto Don Bosco Alessandria, Egitto. Dr. Ali’s research and scholarship investigate the relationship between the architecture of waste and the constructive technique, within materials and methods of conventional practice. His work in integrated design and construction mechanics explores the threshold between architecture, structure, and tectonics. He is an active advocate for resource-based design-build, design for dis-assembly, adaptive reuse and traditional construction methods.
Supervisors: James R. Jones and Ralph D. Badinelli
Phone: 979-845-7698
Address: Langford Building A413
Department of Architecture
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX, 77843

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Texas A&M University - Central Texas

Kathryn Albright

Virginia Tech

Anthony Piermarini

Claudia Paraschiv

Independent Researcher

Rebecca Habtour

University of Maryland, College Park

Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Jambally A Mohammed

University of Duhok

ali n.architect

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Papers by Ahmed K. Ali

Unconventional Engagement: Reviving the Urban Marketplace

The Plan Journal, 2017

In this paper, the outcomes of a two-year design research study that investigated the impacts of ... more In this paper, the outcomes of a two-year design research study that investigated the impacts of architectural design on the social, cultural, and economic factors influencing the revitalization of the urban marketplace are summarized. These two case studies in designing and building urban markets in Central Texas-one in the city of Austin, and the other in the town of Bryan-are presented and synthesized. Both cases were initiated, designed, and built by university students in the disciplines of architecture, construction science, and landscape architecture, in collaboration with a cross-disciplinary oversight team of experts, government officials, and professionals. Platforms for engaging in active and dynamic learning experiences in the specific areas of planning, budgeting, and scheduling, as well as design and construction, within the broad field of community development, were provided to the students in both cases.

Novel Integration of Sustainable and Construction Decisions into the Design Bid Build Project Delivery Method Using BPMN

Procedia Engineering, 2016

A recent study on the cost of green buildings indicated that Resource Reuse is the category of cr... more A recent study on the cost of green buildings indicated that Resource Reuse is the category of credits least often achieved in LEED-certified projects. The literature suggests that there are a number of constraints and barriers to resource reuse, but perhaps the most critical one is the lack of easily accessible information about resource availability and usability. The emerging industries of building materials reuse and de-construction in the United States suffers from the absence of a "system" that would streamline business processes, establish a supply-demand chain, and connect vendors and deconstruction contractors with architects. This research derives an innovative restructuring of the architectural design process that enables resource reuse in new construction. We developed this model by capturing expert knowledge using a Delphi research protocol and mapped the Building Materials Reuse Workflow in Business Process Modeling and Notation language. We set out the knowledgebase requirements that should be integrated with Building Information Modeling to support decision-making by architects and project stakeholders.

Architecture within a circular economy: Process mapping a resource-based design-bid-build project delivery system

Enquiry: A Journal for Architectural Research, 2017

In this paper, we develop a novel method for integrating system thinking into architectural desig... more In this paper, we develop a novel method for integrating system thinking into architectural design by mapping its processes in a standard process modeling language. We structured a decision-support framework using process mapping workflows to incorporate sustainable building materials and resource-based design decisions into the architectural practice. We turned to other disciplines’ knowledgebases, such as Business Information Technology (BIT), to develop a workflow for the Design-Bid-Build project delivery method (DBB). Mapping both current and the proposed design processes, including their activities, workflow, and decision nodes, was critical in defining roles, flow of information, and subsequent decisions. In this study, we utilized a qualitative methodology to capture the required knowledge from industry experts in resource-based design and then integrated our findings into a set of process maps to support the materials decisions by the architectural project team. This study e...

Architecture within a circular economy: Process mapping a resource-based design-bid-build project delivery system

Enquiry: A Journal for Architectural Research, 2017

In this paper, we develop a novel method for integrating system thinking into architectural desig... more In this paper, we develop a novel method for integrating system thinking into architectural design by mapping its processes in a standard process modeling language. We structured a decision-support framework using process mapping workflows to incorporate sustainable building materials and resource-based design decisions into the architectural practice. We turned to other disciplines’ knowledgebases, such as Business Information Technology (BIT), to develop a workflow for the Design-Bid-Build project delivery method (DBB). Mapping both current and the proposed design processes, including their activities, workflow, and decision nodes, was critical in defining roles, flow of information, and subsequent decisions. In this study, we utilized a qualitative methodology to capture the required knowledge from industry experts in resource-based design and then integrated our findings into a set of process maps to support the materials decisions by the architectural project team. This study e...

Finding Perfection in Imperfection

The Yellow River (Huanghe River), which is the second largest river in China, has experienced dra... more The Yellow River (Huanghe River), which is the second largest river in China, has experienced dramatic changes in both runoff and sediment over the last 60 years. To quantify the effects on the channel morphology of the wandering reach on the Lower Yellow River (LYR), this study extracts morphological indices from Landsat imageries taken between 1979 and 2015. Over the dynamically adjusting complex channel-floodplain system, the spatial distribution of NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) is found helpful for identifying the wandering belt created by the frequent migrations of the pathways of the main flow, which are determined from the reflection of the sediment-laded water body in remote sensing images taken at low flows. The extracted results show clearly that the average width and area of the wandering belt over the entire study reach declined in a dramatic fashion between 1979 and 2000 and yet both varied respectively within very narrow ranges from 2000 to 2015. Although the number of bends increased significantly since the 1990s, the sinuosity of the pathways of the main flow remained almost unchanged. By combining the morphological indices extracted from the remote sensing images with field hydrological and geomorphological measurements, our regression analysis identifies that the width of the wandering belt changes at the highest degree of correspondence with the width/depth ratio of the main channel and the variations of both are related most closely to the average flow discharge and then to sediment concentration during the flood seasons. These implicate that a significant reduction of the magnitude of floods and sediment concentration is beneficial not only for making the main channel transit from a wider and shallower cross-section into a narrower and deeper profile but also for narrowing the wandering range of the LYR.

Urban Agriculture Case Studies in Central Texas: From the Ground to the Rooftop

Urban Agriculture, 2016

Urban agriculture is practiced in various forms and scales. Practices range from the production o... more Urban agriculture is practiced in various forms and scales. Practices range from the production of edibles in small to large lots or plazas to vertical production on walls and rooftops. Produce is grown in rural locations and sold at farmers markets in urban locations or grown onsite. Efforts to produce, maintain and sell products of urban agriculture involve many participants and leaders from multiple disciplines. This chapter highlights an introduction to several urban agriculture concepts and case study examples representing activities in Central Texas, home of the Texas A&M University. These case studies highlight a modular pavilion type farmers market and urban garden in downtown Bryan, Texas, designed and built by students and faculty collaborations. The farmers market is designed to be a flexible structure to accommodate current and future needs. A rooftop crop pilot study at Texas A&M on walls and roof deck highlights the varieties grown on top of a four-storey building. The diversity of activities taking place in Central Texas exhibits concepts transferable to many locations across the world. The challenges for these projects include adaptability of crops to the Central Texas climate, structural and community support and the presence of a viable market for locally grown produce.

Architecture, Waste, and the Circular Economy

Enquiry The ARCC Journal for Architectural Research

Waste is a modern global crisis. The world is drowning in an unprecedented amount of waste due to... more Waste is a modern global crisis. The world is drowning in an unprecedented amount of waste due to an increasing linear economy model that drive societies to consume more every day. It was reported that the average American citizen consume nearly 32 times more that the average Indian citizen. Companies, businesses, and corporates are continuously racing to deplete the planet’s natural resources in an astonishing rate. The design and construction sector alone is responsible for 30-40% of total solid waste worldwide, yet as architects, designers, and planners the waste problem is almost absent from the current discourse, both in practice and academia. Beyond sustainability, and if ideas such as the Dutch “CircularCity” become more appealing to architects, designers, and clients, the architectural education must adopt a transformational shift in the design thinking process to prepare a more responsible future architect. A shift from goal-oriented design to means-oriented design requires...

Architecture ( Disambiguation ) : Mapping a Resource-Based Design Process System

ARCC 2017: ARCHITECTURE OF COMPLEXITY ABSTRACT: The process of designing and developing a buildin... more ARCC 2017: ARCHITECTURE OF COMPLEXITY ABSTRACT: The process of designing and developing a building from conception to realization is indeed a sequence of creative and rigorous activities that combine the art of architecture with its scientific, engineering and financial aspects. Like other creative activities, the design process charts a path that is not always straightforward and, in fact, is likely to include multiple investigative sub-design procedures. Previous attempts to define the architectural design process have been vague and confusing to those in other disciplines. In this paper, we introduce a novel method of integrating system thinking into architectural design by mapping its processes in a standard modeling language. We present a decision-support framework using process mapping in order to incorporate sustainable building materials and resource reuse decisions into architectural design practice. We turned to other disciplines’ knowledge bases, such as Business Informat...

Architecture + Structures: Ethics and Responsibilities in Academic Design/Build Studios

In a recent interview with Fred Bernstein for Architectural Record, published on February 2014, R... more In a recent interview with Fred Bernstein for Architectural Record, published on February 2014, Rafael Viñoly, one of the most prolific architects of the modern age, made the following remark: "It's a crisis for the profession. In the last twenty years, people have come into the field without knowing what construction is. In architecture, construction is the medium." Viñoly later admitted that he recently "made a lot of mistakes" with his buildings in London, Vegas, and Manhattan and consequently criticized the current status of architectural education in falling behind the inquiry of constructive knowledge. Viñoly recalled that as a young architect he did rebar drawings. A notion that Chad Schwartz, in his book, citing Marco Frascari and Juhani Pallasmaa, pointed out to the disappearance of construction site apprenticeship in today's' architectural education which possibly resulted in the current crisis (Schwartz and Ford 2017). A year later, Piet Hein Eek, a famous Dutch designer, in an interview with Emma Tucker during the Dutch Design Week

Cultivating research: resource-based design as an activating agent for energy and water conservation

Green and living walls are an old idea made anew through the use of conventional construction mat... more Green and living walls are an old idea made anew through the use of conventional construction materials used in new and creative ways. There is now a broad market for mass-produced prefabricated living wall systems that are made from PVC, metal, and or geotextiles. There exist hydroponic living walls made from geotextiles and fabric materials, rigid modular living walls made from PVC, and green façade structures made from cable and steel mesh to support ground-based vines. Most conventional materials for green walls in the market are derived from raw material or recycled PVC. This study investigates alternative materials already in the solid waste stream that were ready for creative reuse. The purpose of this project was to explore if existing sheet metal by-products could be repurposed as green wall systems and provide beneficial ecosystem services. A secondary purpose was to educate the campus community about sustainability through improving the value of industrial by-products the...

Native plant establishment on a custom modular living wall system in a humid subtropical climate

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

From Conventional Recycling to Creative Reuse: Empowering Local Industrial Resources Through Synergistic Practices

2018 ACSA/COAM INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, 2021

This paper seeks to introduce a novel approach in salvaging the urban realm through exploring way... more This paper seeks to introduce a novel approach in salvaging the urban realm through exploring ways in which design can extrapolate the use and the value of consistent industrial by- products, mainly from the automobile industry. The research begins with a need to conserve materials and energy with a focus on adding value by design. In this paper, a speculative design work and comparative analysis have been conducted. The method begins with the analysis of automobile by- product materials, observations of procurement of new material and analysis of proposed designs of automobile body manufacturing. The goal of the study is to transform the linear approach in making building components, in par- ticular, building exterior metal skins and cladding systems, to a closed-loop approach, which ensures multi-dimen- sional economic, social, and environmental benefits. The study introduces a novel approach in initiating a symbiosis between non-hazardous automobile waste and the building and construction industry. In particular, creating building skin systems from by-product galvanized sheet metal from the automobile industry. The results are expected to change the focus of the current waste management practices in the manufacturing industry from conventional recycling to creative reuse.

The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice

The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice

Matrix Trays: From waste to opportunities

Matrix Trays are single-use plastic carriers used to transport integrated chips and circuit board... more Matrix Trays are single-use plastic carriers used to transport integrated chips and circuit board components during automated test and assembly processes for Printed Circuit Boards. These trays represent a significant yet consistent waste stream; primarily in the electronics industry and many other industries that integrate microchips into their products especially the automotive industry. By the end of 2017, the National Sword Policy which was implemented by China on plastic waste import from other countries and especially the United States catalyzed a huge crisis and forced manufacturers and companies to deal with their own plastic waste streams. This study presents two alternative approaches of reusing trays to the reduced conventional recycling practices which have caused used trays to remain in storage or be deposited in landfills. Approaches including a students’ design competition and a proof of concept case study for an autonomous shading device are presented. The shading device was designed, tested and validated. Trays were transformed from waste into 13 possible products showing that a circular economy and industrial symbiosis can be achieved by integrating multidisciplinary reuse approaches for by-product reuse and sustainable industry practices. Environmental and economic impacts were evaluated comparing reuse to recycling, combustion and landfilling. The results showed that reusing trays reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

A New (Old) Paradigm on Metal Fabrication between the Automobile and the Building Industries

by Ahmed K. Ali and Patricia Kio, Ph.D.

ACSA 107 Annual Meeting Proceedings, 2019

This paper provides a serious attempt to build a compelling case, arguing for a new materialism p... more This paper provides a serious attempt to build a compelling case, arguing for a new materialism paradigm shift based on structuring a synergistic workflow between the automobile and the building industries. Although the transfer of technology between the two industries has seen an unprecedented increase in the last ten years primarily in robotics technologies and digital fabrication methods, the very basic fundamental aspects of materials supply-chain, fabrication processes, and waste-flow optimization have been overlooked by the design community. The story of making the stamped-aluminum skin of the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) building in Pittsburgh (the site of the Material Frontier call discourse) reveals a profound similar synergy between the Pullman company and the building design. The emerging opportunities from such a cross disciplined engagement in materials investigations allows for an informative design process that influences the fabrication territories of both industries. As such, this paper introduces a new methodology in transforming the consistent sized waste-flow of metals from the automobile industry to the building industry addressing an untapped opportunity in design within a time-sensitive circular economy paradigm. The paper presents a thorough review of the ALCOA building design and fabrication processes then introduce a speculative built case study illustrating the conversion from the conceptual to the applied through a series of tactile exterminations.

Cultivating research: resource-based design as an activating agent for energy and water conservation

ARCC Toronto: The Future of Praxis: Applied Research as a Bridge Between Theory and Practice , 2019

Green and living walls are an old idea made anew through the use of conventional construction mat... more Green and living walls are an old idea made anew through the use of conventional construction materials used in new and creative ways. There is now a broad market for mass-produced prefabricated living wall systems that are made from PVC, metal, and or geotextiles. There exist hydroponic living walls made from geotextiles and fabric materials, rigid modular living walls made from PVC, and green façade structures made from cable and steel mesh to support ground-based vines. Most conventional materials for green walls in the market are derived from raw material or recycled PVC. This study investigates alternative materials already in the solid waste stream that were ready for creative reuse. The purpose of this project was to explore if existing sheet metal by-products could be repurposed as green wall systems and provide beneficial ecosystem services. A secondary purpose was to educate the campus community about sustainability through improving the value of industrial by-products thereby reducing waste streams in the production of new materials, energy conservation and reduced water use for green walls through the use of drought tolerant vegetation. Initial readings for the living wall system surface was 2.68 to 3.92 and up to 4.6 degrees Celsius cooler than the adjacent concrete wall. Students and faculty at Texas A&M university worked through a dozen different green wall modular designs. One design was refined and was trialed for cutting using a water-jet machine and assembled with manual folding. Three hundred prism shaped modules were attached to a vertical steel frame. Drip irrigation lines deliver water to each module. Drought tolerant plants were used to minimize irrigation water. It is estimated that compared to conventional living walls, the proposed system uses about half of the volume of water needed for irrigation. More detailed analysis is currently under investigation.

A case study in developing an interdisciplinary learning experiment between architecture, building construction, and construction engineering and management education

Journal of Engineering Construction & Architectural Management, 2019

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the value of interdisciplinary learning specifically in... more The purpose of this paper is to highlight the value of interdisciplinary learning specifically in the architecture (ARCH), building construction (BC) and construction management and engineering (CEM) disciplines within the USA’s higher education system. The study attempts to expand the existing literature on integrated design and construction education and offer an alternative model for academic students’ collaboration when restructuring curriculums is not possible in the short term. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a qualitative research methodology, which involved designing a structured learning experiment, then followed it with collecting the “lived experience” of 31 participants from three majors according to the institution’s institution review board (IRB) office’s guidelines. The author hypothesized that students from different, but related disciplines working on a real-life project, would better understand the value of each other’s knowledge brought to the teamwork before graduation. The data were analyzed and compared to existing literature on integrated project delivery, and collaborative learning models. Data collection (surveys) was approved by the higher education’s IRB No. 13-021. Findings Despite the already-existing curriculum obstacles, the majority of students were very pleased with this collaborative experiment. The results confirmed many of the expectations about how students viewed each other’s discipline. The preconceived notions were dissipated at the end of the study, and students expressed more appreciation for each other’s field and expressed interest in learning more about the thought processes of other disciplines. Research limitations/implications Typical conflicting academic schedules were the greatest obstacle in this experiment. Architecture students often devote majority of their time to design studios and therefore are unable to fully engage in an integrated capstone project like this one as extracurricular. Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further. Practical implications It is possible to develop a successful collaborative experience in the architecture, engineering and construction higher education system without major restructuring of the curriculums. The impact on students’ learning experience is greater than the existing separated education model. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study how integrated design and construction education occurs without creating new dedicated programs or coursework.

Facilitating industrial symbiosis to achieve circular economy using value-added by design: A case study in transforming the automobile industry sheet metal waste-flow into Voronoi facade systems

Journal of Cleaner Production, 2019

Today, a significant portion of steel production worldwide is coming from recycling practices. It... more Today, a significant portion of steel production worldwide is coming from recycling practices. It is inevitable that the smelting process during steel recycling operations is expensive and consumes a tremendous amount of energy. Therefore, hypothetically, direct reuse of steel materials without smelting can be environmentally and economically advantageous over recycling. In this article, an innovative recovering path for size-specific sheet metal scrap from the automobile industry is being proposed. The idea is to directly use the sizable sheet metal scrap generated from the car-body manufacturing process in the automobile industry to design and fabricate new metal facade systems for buildings’ exteriors. An empirical case study was conducted, which is being presented to illustrate the benefits of reusing steel scrap over recycling with the same material using quantitative analysis. The required capital cost and energy consumption of generating a building metal facade system were evaluated. The results showed that reusing the sheet metal scrap over conventional recycling of the same material would lead to a cost reduction of approximately 40% (400 $/ton) and savings of approximately 67% (10 MJ/kg) of energy consumption. The tested concept promotes an innovative industrial symbiosis between the auto industry and the building and construction industry through creating a secondary closed supply-chain loop to achieve both circular economy and energy savings through adding value by design.

The War-hole Wall: Between the Ridiculous and the Profound

Crossing between the Proximate and the Remote, 2019

This paper seeks to situate architecture between the ridiculous and the profound using pop art as... more This paper seeks to situate architecture between the ridiculous and the profound using pop art as a medium. Andy Warhol's "piss paintings" also known as Oxidation paintings are the subject of study in this paper. A recent call to design a museum dedicated to the work of Warhol in New York envisioned the museum as a vital forum in which diverse audiences of artists, scholars, and the general public become galvanized through a 'creative interaction' with the art and life of Warhol. The controversial subject of Warhol's work presented several critical inquiries and challenges as to what constitutes as creative public interaction? The author critically examined the relationship between pop art, architecture, and the ability to confront ridiculous realities that engage the public in a profound yet controversial act. This paper presents the design proposal as an act of 'structured vandalism,' which is supported by architecturally yet humorous illustrations.

Unconventional Engagement: Reviving the Urban Marketplace

The Plan Journal, 2017

In this paper, the outcomes of a two-year design research study that investigated the impacts of ... more In this paper, the outcomes of a two-year design research study that investigated the impacts of architectural design on the social, cultural, and economic factors influencing the revitalization of the urban marketplace are summarized. These two case studies in designing and building urban markets in Central Texas-one in the city of Austin, and the other in the town of Bryan-are presented and synthesized. Both cases were initiated, designed, and built by university students in the disciplines of architecture, construction science, and landscape architecture, in collaboration with a cross-disciplinary oversight team of experts, government officials, and professionals. Platforms for engaging in active and dynamic learning experiences in the specific areas of planning, budgeting, and scheduling, as well as design and construction, within the broad field of community development, were provided to the students in both cases.

Novel Integration of Sustainable and Construction Decisions into the Design Bid Build Project Delivery Method Using BPMN

Procedia Engineering, 2016

A recent study on the cost of green buildings indicated that Resource Reuse is the category of cr... more A recent study on the cost of green buildings indicated that Resource Reuse is the category of credits least often achieved in LEED-certified projects. The literature suggests that there are a number of constraints and barriers to resource reuse, but perhaps the most critical one is the lack of easily accessible information about resource availability and usability. The emerging industries of building materials reuse and de-construction in the United States suffers from the absence of a "system" that would streamline business processes, establish a supply-demand chain, and connect vendors and deconstruction contractors with architects. This research derives an innovative restructuring of the architectural design process that enables resource reuse in new construction. We developed this model by capturing expert knowledge using a Delphi research protocol and mapped the Building Materials Reuse Workflow in Business Process Modeling and Notation language. We set out the knowledgebase requirements that should be integrated with Building Information Modeling to support decision-making by architects and project stakeholders.

Architecture within a circular economy: Process mapping a resource-based design-bid-build project delivery system

Enquiry: A Journal for Architectural Research, 2017

In this paper, we develop a novel method for integrating system thinking into architectural desig... more In this paper, we develop a novel method for integrating system thinking into architectural design by mapping its processes in a standard process modeling language. We structured a decision-support framework using process mapping workflows to incorporate sustainable building materials and resource-based design decisions into the architectural practice. We turned to other disciplines’ knowledgebases, such as Business Information Technology (BIT), to develop a workflow for the Design-Bid-Build project delivery method (DBB). Mapping both current and the proposed design processes, including their activities, workflow, and decision nodes, was critical in defining roles, flow of information, and subsequent decisions. In this study, we utilized a qualitative methodology to capture the required knowledge from industry experts in resource-based design and then integrated our findings into a set of process maps to support the materials decisions by the architectural project team. This study e...

Architecture within a circular economy: Process mapping a resource-based design-bid-build project delivery system

Enquiry: A Journal for Architectural Research, 2017

In this paper, we develop a novel method for integrating system thinking into architectural desig... more In this paper, we develop a novel method for integrating system thinking into architectural design by mapping its processes in a standard process modeling language. We structured a decision-support framework using process mapping workflows to incorporate sustainable building materials and resource-based design decisions into the architectural practice. We turned to other disciplines’ knowledgebases, such as Business Information Technology (BIT), to develop a workflow for the Design-Bid-Build project delivery method (DBB). Mapping both current and the proposed design processes, including their activities, workflow, and decision nodes, was critical in defining roles, flow of information, and subsequent decisions. In this study, we utilized a qualitative methodology to capture the required knowledge from industry experts in resource-based design and then integrated our findings into a set of process maps to support the materials decisions by the architectural project team. This study e...

Finding Perfection in Imperfection

The Yellow River (Huanghe River), which is the second largest river in China, has experienced dra... more The Yellow River (Huanghe River), which is the second largest river in China, has experienced dramatic changes in both runoff and sediment over the last 60 years. To quantify the effects on the channel morphology of the wandering reach on the Lower Yellow River (LYR), this study extracts morphological indices from Landsat imageries taken between 1979 and 2015. Over the dynamically adjusting complex channel-floodplain system, the spatial distribution of NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) is found helpful for identifying the wandering belt created by the frequent migrations of the pathways of the main flow, which are determined from the reflection of the sediment-laded water body in remote sensing images taken at low flows. The extracted results show clearly that the average width and area of the wandering belt over the entire study reach declined in a dramatic fashion between 1979 and 2000 and yet both varied respectively within very narrow ranges from 2000 to 2015. Although the number of bends increased significantly since the 1990s, the sinuosity of the pathways of the main flow remained almost unchanged. By combining the morphological indices extracted from the remote sensing images with field hydrological and geomorphological measurements, our regression analysis identifies that the width of the wandering belt changes at the highest degree of correspondence with the width/depth ratio of the main channel and the variations of both are related most closely to the average flow discharge and then to sediment concentration during the flood seasons. These implicate that a significant reduction of the magnitude of floods and sediment concentration is beneficial not only for making the main channel transit from a wider and shallower cross-section into a narrower and deeper profile but also for narrowing the wandering range of the LYR.

Urban Agriculture Case Studies in Central Texas: From the Ground to the Rooftop

Urban Agriculture, 2016

Urban agriculture is practiced in various forms and scales. Practices range from the production o... more Urban agriculture is practiced in various forms and scales. Practices range from the production of edibles in small to large lots or plazas to vertical production on walls and rooftops. Produce is grown in rural locations and sold at farmers markets in urban locations or grown onsite. Efforts to produce, maintain and sell products of urban agriculture involve many participants and leaders from multiple disciplines. This chapter highlights an introduction to several urban agriculture concepts and case study examples representing activities in Central Texas, home of the Texas A&M University. These case studies highlight a modular pavilion type farmers market and urban garden in downtown Bryan, Texas, designed and built by students and faculty collaborations. The farmers market is designed to be a flexible structure to accommodate current and future needs. A rooftop crop pilot study at Texas A&M on walls and roof deck highlights the varieties grown on top of a four-storey building. The diversity of activities taking place in Central Texas exhibits concepts transferable to many locations across the world. The challenges for these projects include adaptability of crops to the Central Texas climate, structural and community support and the presence of a viable market for locally grown produce.

Architecture, Waste, and the Circular Economy

Enquiry The ARCC Journal for Architectural Research

Waste is a modern global crisis. The world is drowning in an unprecedented amount of waste due to... more Waste is a modern global crisis. The world is drowning in an unprecedented amount of waste due to an increasing linear economy model that drive societies to consume more every day. It was reported that the average American citizen consume nearly 32 times more that the average Indian citizen. Companies, businesses, and corporates are continuously racing to deplete the planet’s natural resources in an astonishing rate. The design and construction sector alone is responsible for 30-40% of total solid waste worldwide, yet as architects, designers, and planners the waste problem is almost absent from the current discourse, both in practice and academia. Beyond sustainability, and if ideas such as the Dutch “CircularCity” become more appealing to architects, designers, and clients, the architectural education must adopt a transformational shift in the design thinking process to prepare a more responsible future architect. A shift from goal-oriented design to means-oriented design requires...

Architecture ( Disambiguation ) : Mapping a Resource-Based Design Process System

ARCC 2017: ARCHITECTURE OF COMPLEXITY ABSTRACT: The process of designing and developing a buildin... more ARCC 2017: ARCHITECTURE OF COMPLEXITY ABSTRACT: The process of designing and developing a building from conception to realization is indeed a sequence of creative and rigorous activities that combine the art of architecture with its scientific, engineering and financial aspects. Like other creative activities, the design process charts a path that is not always straightforward and, in fact, is likely to include multiple investigative sub-design procedures. Previous attempts to define the architectural design process have been vague and confusing to those in other disciplines. In this paper, we introduce a novel method of integrating system thinking into architectural design by mapping its processes in a standard modeling language. We present a decision-support framework using process mapping in order to incorporate sustainable building materials and resource reuse decisions into architectural design practice. We turned to other disciplines’ knowledge bases, such as Business Informat...

Architecture + Structures: Ethics and Responsibilities in Academic Design/Build Studios

In a recent interview with Fred Bernstein for Architectural Record, published on February 2014, R... more In a recent interview with Fred Bernstein for Architectural Record, published on February 2014, Rafael Viñoly, one of the most prolific architects of the modern age, made the following remark: "It's a crisis for the profession. In the last twenty years, people have come into the field without knowing what construction is. In architecture, construction is the medium." Viñoly later admitted that he recently "made a lot of mistakes" with his buildings in London, Vegas, and Manhattan and consequently criticized the current status of architectural education in falling behind the inquiry of constructive knowledge. Viñoly recalled that as a young architect he did rebar drawings. A notion that Chad Schwartz, in his book, citing Marco Frascari and Juhani Pallasmaa, pointed out to the disappearance of construction site apprenticeship in today's' architectural education which possibly resulted in the current crisis (Schwartz and Ford 2017). A year later, Piet Hein Eek, a famous Dutch designer, in an interview with Emma Tucker during the Dutch Design Week

Cultivating research: resource-based design as an activating agent for energy and water conservation

Green and living walls are an old idea made anew through the use of conventional construction mat... more Green and living walls are an old idea made anew through the use of conventional construction materials used in new and creative ways. There is now a broad market for mass-produced prefabricated living wall systems that are made from PVC, metal, and or geotextiles. There exist hydroponic living walls made from geotextiles and fabric materials, rigid modular living walls made from PVC, and green façade structures made from cable and steel mesh to support ground-based vines. Most conventional materials for green walls in the market are derived from raw material or recycled PVC. This study investigates alternative materials already in the solid waste stream that were ready for creative reuse. The purpose of this project was to explore if existing sheet metal by-products could be repurposed as green wall systems and provide beneficial ecosystem services. A secondary purpose was to educate the campus community about sustainability through improving the value of industrial by-products the...

Native plant establishment on a custom modular living wall system in a humid subtropical climate

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

From Conventional Recycling to Creative Reuse: Empowering Local Industrial Resources Through Synergistic Practices

2018 ACSA/COAM INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, 2021

This paper seeks to introduce a novel approach in salvaging the urban realm through exploring way... more This paper seeks to introduce a novel approach in salvaging the urban realm through exploring ways in which design can extrapolate the use and the value of consistent industrial by- products, mainly from the automobile industry. The research begins with a need to conserve materials and energy with a focus on adding value by design. In this paper, a speculative design work and comparative analysis have been conducted. The method begins with the analysis of automobile by- product materials, observations of procurement of new material and analysis of proposed designs of automobile body manufacturing. The goal of the study is to transform the linear approach in making building components, in par- ticular, building exterior metal skins and cladding systems, to a closed-loop approach, which ensures multi-dimen- sional economic, social, and environmental benefits. The study introduces a novel approach in initiating a symbiosis between non-hazardous automobile waste and the building and construction industry. In particular, creating building skin systems from by-product galvanized sheet metal from the automobile industry. The results are expected to change the focus of the current waste management practices in the manufacturing industry from conventional recycling to creative reuse.

The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice

The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice

Matrix Trays: From waste to opportunities

Matrix Trays are single-use plastic carriers used to transport integrated chips and circuit board... more Matrix Trays are single-use plastic carriers used to transport integrated chips and circuit board components during automated test and assembly processes for Printed Circuit Boards. These trays represent a significant yet consistent waste stream; primarily in the electronics industry and many other industries that integrate microchips into their products especially the automotive industry. By the end of 2017, the National Sword Policy which was implemented by China on plastic waste import from other countries and especially the United States catalyzed a huge crisis and forced manufacturers and companies to deal with their own plastic waste streams. This study presents two alternative approaches of reusing trays to the reduced conventional recycling practices which have caused used trays to remain in storage or be deposited in landfills. Approaches including a students’ design competition and a proof of concept case study for an autonomous shading device are presented. The shading device was designed, tested and validated. Trays were transformed from waste into 13 possible products showing that a circular economy and industrial symbiosis can be achieved by integrating multidisciplinary reuse approaches for by-product reuse and sustainable industry practices. Environmental and economic impacts were evaluated comparing reuse to recycling, combustion and landfilling. The results showed that reusing trays reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

A New (Old) Paradigm on Metal Fabrication between the Automobile and the Building Industries

by Ahmed K. Ali and Patricia Kio, Ph.D.

ACSA 107 Annual Meeting Proceedings, 2019

This paper provides a serious attempt to build a compelling case, arguing for a new materialism p... more This paper provides a serious attempt to build a compelling case, arguing for a new materialism paradigm shift based on structuring a synergistic workflow between the automobile and the building industries. Although the transfer of technology between the two industries has seen an unprecedented increase in the last ten years primarily in robotics technologies and digital fabrication methods, the very basic fundamental aspects of materials supply-chain, fabrication processes, and waste-flow optimization have been overlooked by the design community. The story of making the stamped-aluminum skin of the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) building in Pittsburgh (the site of the Material Frontier call discourse) reveals a profound similar synergy between the Pullman company and the building design. The emerging opportunities from such a cross disciplined engagement in materials investigations allows for an informative design process that influences the fabrication territories of both industries. As such, this paper introduces a new methodology in transforming the consistent sized waste-flow of metals from the automobile industry to the building industry addressing an untapped opportunity in design within a time-sensitive circular economy paradigm. The paper presents a thorough review of the ALCOA building design and fabrication processes then introduce a speculative built case study illustrating the conversion from the conceptual to the applied through a series of tactile exterminations.

Cultivating research: resource-based design as an activating agent for energy and water conservation

ARCC Toronto: The Future of Praxis: Applied Research as a Bridge Between Theory and Practice , 2019

Green and living walls are an old idea made anew through the use of conventional construction mat... more Green and living walls are an old idea made anew through the use of conventional construction materials used in new and creative ways. There is now a broad market for mass-produced prefabricated living wall systems that are made from PVC, metal, and or geotextiles. There exist hydroponic living walls made from geotextiles and fabric materials, rigid modular living walls made from PVC, and green façade structures made from cable and steel mesh to support ground-based vines. Most conventional materials for green walls in the market are derived from raw material or recycled PVC. This study investigates alternative materials already in the solid waste stream that were ready for creative reuse. The purpose of this project was to explore if existing sheet metal by-products could be repurposed as green wall systems and provide beneficial ecosystem services. A secondary purpose was to educate the campus community about sustainability through improving the value of industrial by-products thereby reducing waste streams in the production of new materials, energy conservation and reduced water use for green walls through the use of drought tolerant vegetation. Initial readings for the living wall system surface was 2.68 to 3.92 and up to 4.6 degrees Celsius cooler than the adjacent concrete wall. Students and faculty at Texas A&M university worked through a dozen different green wall modular designs. One design was refined and was trialed for cutting using a water-jet machine and assembled with manual folding. Three hundred prism shaped modules were attached to a vertical steel frame. Drip irrigation lines deliver water to each module. Drought tolerant plants were used to minimize irrigation water. It is estimated that compared to conventional living walls, the proposed system uses about half of the volume of water needed for irrigation. More detailed analysis is currently under investigation.

A case study in developing an interdisciplinary learning experiment between architecture, building construction, and construction engineering and management education

Journal of Engineering Construction & Architectural Management, 2019

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the value of interdisciplinary learning specifically in... more The purpose of this paper is to highlight the value of interdisciplinary learning specifically in the architecture (ARCH), building construction (BC) and construction management and engineering (CEM) disciplines within the USA’s higher education system. The study attempts to expand the existing literature on integrated design and construction education and offer an alternative model for academic students’ collaboration when restructuring curriculums is not possible in the short term. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a qualitative research methodology, which involved designing a structured learning experiment, then followed it with collecting the “lived experience” of 31 participants from three majors according to the institution’s institution review board (IRB) office’s guidelines. The author hypothesized that students from different, but related disciplines working on a real-life project, would better understand the value of each other’s knowledge brought to the teamwork before graduation. The data were analyzed and compared to existing literature on integrated project delivery, and collaborative learning models. Data collection (surveys) was approved by the higher education’s IRB No. 13-021. Findings Despite the already-existing curriculum obstacles, the majority of students were very pleased with this collaborative experiment. The results confirmed many of the expectations about how students viewed each other’s discipline. The preconceived notions were dissipated at the end of the study, and students expressed more appreciation for each other’s field and expressed interest in learning more about the thought processes of other disciplines. Research limitations/implications Typical conflicting academic schedules were the greatest obstacle in this experiment. Architecture students often devote majority of their time to design studios and therefore are unable to fully engage in an integrated capstone project like this one as extracurricular. Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further. Practical implications It is possible to develop a successful collaborative experience in the architecture, engineering and construction higher education system without major restructuring of the curriculums. The impact on students’ learning experience is greater than the existing separated education model. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study how integrated design and construction education occurs without creating new dedicated programs or coursework.

Facilitating industrial symbiosis to achieve circular economy using value-added by design: A case study in transforming the automobile industry sheet metal waste-flow into Voronoi facade systems

Journal of Cleaner Production, 2019

Today, a significant portion of steel production worldwide is coming from recycling practices. It... more Today, a significant portion of steel production worldwide is coming from recycling practices. It is inevitable that the smelting process during steel recycling operations is expensive and consumes a tremendous amount of energy. Therefore, hypothetically, direct reuse of steel materials without smelting can be environmentally and economically advantageous over recycling. In this article, an innovative recovering path for size-specific sheet metal scrap from the automobile industry is being proposed. The idea is to directly use the sizable sheet metal scrap generated from the car-body manufacturing process in the automobile industry to design and fabricate new metal facade systems for buildings’ exteriors. An empirical case study was conducted, which is being presented to illustrate the benefits of reusing steel scrap over recycling with the same material using quantitative analysis. The required capital cost and energy consumption of generating a building metal facade system were evaluated. The results showed that reusing the sheet metal scrap over conventional recycling of the same material would lead to a cost reduction of approximately 40% (400 $/ton) and savings of approximately 67% (10 MJ/kg) of energy consumption. The tested concept promotes an innovative industrial symbiosis between the auto industry and the building and construction industry through creating a secondary closed supply-chain loop to achieve both circular economy and energy savings through adding value by design.

The War-hole Wall: Between the Ridiculous and the Profound

Crossing between the Proximate and the Remote, 2019

This paper seeks to situate architecture between the ridiculous and the profound using pop art as... more This paper seeks to situate architecture between the ridiculous and the profound using pop art as a medium. Andy Warhol's "piss paintings" also known as Oxidation paintings are the subject of study in this paper. A recent call to design a museum dedicated to the work of Warhol in New York envisioned the museum as a vital forum in which diverse audiences of artists, scholars, and the general public become galvanized through a 'creative interaction' with the art and life of Warhol. The controversial subject of Warhol's work presented several critical inquiries and challenges as to what constitutes as creative public interaction? The author critically examined the relationship between pop art, architecture, and the ability to confront ridiculous realities that engage the public in a profound yet controversial act. This paper presents the design proposal as an act of 'structured vandalism,' which is supported by architecturally yet humorous illustrations.

Robert L. Turner: Tempietto in the Wilderness

Robert Turner received the 2014 Distinguished Achievement Award from Virginia Tech, which sited h... more Robert Turner received the 2014 Distinguished Achievement Award from Virginia Tech, which sited his "personal drive and skills as a leader and architect, with a renowned international portfolio of work throughout the United States, England, Egypt, India, Germany, France, Portugal, Jordan, Korea, Sri Lanka, Corfu, and Africa." Robert was honored by the President of Portugal for the design of the Utopia Pavilion in Lisbon, Portugal. He designed the master plan for the Canary Wharf Development in London, which reclaimed the docklands and provided the site for one of London's major business and financial districts.

Urban Agriculture Case Studies in Central Texas: From the Ground to the Rooftop

by Bruce Dvorak and Ahmed K. Ali

Urban Agriculture, Jun 2016

Urban agriculture is practiced in a variety of forms and scales. Practices range from the product... more Urban agriculture is practiced in a variety of forms and scales. Practices range from the production of edibles in small to large lots or plazas, to vertical production on walls and rooftops. Produce is grown in rural locations and sold at farmer's markets in urban locations or grown onsite. Efforts to produce, maintain and sell products of urban agriculture involve many participants and leaders from multiple disciplines. This chapter highlights an introduction to several urban agriculture concepts and case study examples representing activities in Central Texas, home of Texas A&M University. These case studies highlight a modular pavilion type farmer's market and urban garden in downtown Bryan, Texas designed and built by students and faculty collaborations. The farmer's market is designed to be a flexible structure to accommodate current and future needs. A rooftop crop pilot study at Texas A&M on walls and roof deck highlights varieties grown on top a 4-storey building. The diversity of activities taking place in Central Texas exhibits concepts transferable to many locations across the world. The challenges for these projects include adaptability of crops to the central Texas climate, structural and community support and the presence of a viable market for locally grown produce.

Silence, Darkness, and Light: The Grand Egyptian Museum

How can the unique legacy of the most ancient of civilizations be represented within a single bui... more How can the unique legacy of the most ancient of civilizations be represented within a single building? How can one building spans the area between heaven and earth, the space described in the cosmology of our pharonic ancestors? Certainly, to design such a building is a unique challenge, and an unprecedented opportunity, on this most privileged of sites in the history of mankind, that a museum is to be constructed capable of linking the immemorial past with the distant future spanning both the horizons of the ancients and those as yet unseen. Through the investigation of phenomenology, geometry, simplicity, purity and light, listening to the voice of silence, emerging to the light from the darkness, and by understanding the strength of simplicity after passing through complexity, This thesis offers an endless stream of ideas that challenge the mind. The vision for the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is to establish a place where people from different nations and cultures will be able to immerse themselves in the rich culture heritage from more than 5.000 years of Egyptian civilization. With the support of new technology, more effective and efficient dissemination of information can be achieved, enabling the New Museum to be a source of enjoyable, entertaining, educational and cultural experiences for all visitors. This project aims at structuring a complex of exhibits and facilities, which will accommodate all Pharaonic periods, it will be the largest museum in the world, and will provide access to information and future knowledge. It results from the careful articulation of the problem and a subsequent ordering of constraints within the context of the competition proposal.

A Novel Design-Driven Approach in Transforming Automotive Solid Waste into Building Skin Systems

S. Arch 2018, the 5th International Conference on Architecture & Built Environment, 2018

The United States’ manufacturing industry generates approximately 7.6 billion tons of non-hazardo... more The United States’ manufacturing industry generates approximately 7.6 billion tons of non-hazardous solid waste each year, a significant portion of which is either recyclable or reusable. Emerging ecosystem concepts such as cradle-to-cradle, design for disassembly, sustainable manufacturing, and most importantly circular economy are promoting the reuse or recycling of non-hazardous industrial waste. Empirical evidence suggests that there are significant economic, environmental, and social benefits of reusing industrial waste than recycling it. The research project developed speculative designs and new solutions for building skins made from GM stamping operation cutouts. The goal of the experiment was to transforms the linear approach in making building components, in particular, exterior metal skins and cladding systems, to a closed-loop approach, which ensures multi-dimensional economic, social, and environmental benefits. The results are expected to change the focus of the current waste management practices in the manufacturing industry from conventional recycling to creative reuse. The study introduces a novel approach to designing a symbiosis between non-hazardous automotive waste and the building & construction industry. In particular, creating building skin systems from by-product galvanized sheet metal from the automotive industry. We argue that a resource revolution is making way for a new architectural paradigm shift, which is emerging through the integration of creative reuse, synergistic business processes, and circular economy.
This paper presents three case studies that demonstrate how byproduct galvanized sheet metal from automotive manufacturers could be transformed into a flat panel cladding system, a shading system, and a double-façade rain screen system.

Architecture + Structures: Ethics and Responsibilities in Academic Design/Build Studios

Building Technology Educators’ Society Conference, 2019

This paper examines the ethical underpinnings in integrating structural and construction knowledg... more This paper examines the ethical underpinnings in integrating structural and construction knowledge into academic design/build studios using two different models of collaboration. The paper investigated the implications of each model on the students’ learning experience as well as its related issues of risk and responsibilities within the host institutions. Both studios were conceived at non-NAAB accredited undergraduate four-year programs in architecture in two different countries (Turkey and the United States respectively). Both studios engaged students in designing and building projects from conception to realization, working with real clients, city officials and engineers. The Turkey studio involved collaborating with an ‘academic’ structural engineer, while the US studio utilized collaboration with a ‘practicing’ structural engineer. In the presented two cases, the ethical dimension between the product and the process was explored through rigorous participation from both the students and the collaborators. The result of both studios exceeded the sole delivery of the physical object into installing a profound understanding of the role of structural knowledge integration into architecture. This paper reflects on the two experimental models and evaluates the value of integrating building technology into the design and construction education.

Remanufacturing Architecture: How the Automobile Industrial Solid Waste used in Building Design and Construction

In 2004, Stephen Kieran and James Timberlake of the Philadelphia-based award- winning architectur... more In 2004, Stephen Kieran and James Timberlake of the Philadelphia-based award- winning architectural firm, KieranTimberlake published their book, Refabricating Architecture. The architects argued that after a century of failure, the discipline of architecture could learn something from other manufacturers such as the automobile industry. The book was the result of the inaugural FAIA Latrobe Fellowship that funded a comparative study of the processes utilized by the aerospace, automobile, and shipbuilding industries and those of the building industry. The research was based on critical observation and analysis of the current practice of architecture and construction as well as an investigation of the industrial processes that advanced the efficiency, tolerance, and fabrication methods while the discipline of architecture remained as lacking behind. While the intent of the authors’ work is compelling, the comparison remained unfair to architecture due to the issues of quantity and mass production. Repetitiveness and mass production in architecture have miserably failed in prefabricated housing projects, and therefore the only reasonable opportunity exists in
building components and systems, which architects often utilize based on what the building product market develop, test, and put forth for them to use. The question is why architects are not active in designing building products and only depends on the manufacturing industry for products?

Mass Timber Construction: Tradition and Technology

by Ahmed K. Ali and Dawn Bushnaq

Construction History on the Frontier, Seattle, July 20-22, 2017, 2017

In this presentation, we share lessons learned from observing traditional Japanese timber constru... more In this presentation, we share lessons learned from observing traditional Japanese timber construction, which we believe, is essential to address the discourse on the current interest in the mass timber construction movement. Seattle and the great Northwest have an established history of building with timber due to cultivating some of the tallest trees and best wood species in the United States. The recent interest in building with mass (solid) timber for mid-rise and high-rise buildings had spun the conversation on many issues especially the International Building Code (IBC). An effort to modify the code to embrace the mass timber movement is currently undertaken, but seismic issue concerns the city officials even if the code would change and the law requires in-situ testing. Pre-stressed and posted tensioned timber is currently being explored in Portland, Oregon, and certified manufacturing panel-pressing plants are quickly emerging. Manufacturing mass timber panels, components, and members can certainly benefit from the fabrication knowledge exists in Seattle and from the knowledge transfer of other industries such as Boeing and Shipbuilding. By examining traditional Japanese construction, three strategies were essential to survive earthquakes: the use of broad and substantial overhangs, structurally separated floors and a shock-absorbing central pillar known as (Shinbashira).

The War-hole Wall: Between the Ridiculous and the Profound

2017 ACSA Fall Conference | CROSSINGS BETWEEN THE PROXIMATE AND REMOTE , 2017

This paper seeks to situate architecture between the ridiculous and the profound using pop art as... more This paper seeks to situate architecture between the ridiculous and the profound using pop art as a medium. Andy Warhol’s “piss paintings” also known as Oxidation paintings are the subject of study in this paper. A recent call to design a museum dedicated to the work of Warhol in New York envisioned the museum as a vital forum in which diverse audiences of artists, scholars, and the general public become galvanized through a ‘creative interaction’ with the art and life of Warhol. The controversial subject of Warhol’s work presented us with several critical inquiries and challenges as to what constitutes as creative public interaction? We critically examined the relationship between pop art, architecture, and the ability to confront ridiculous realities that engage the public in a profound yet controversial act. We present our proposal as an act of structured vandalism which is supported by architecturally yet humorous illustrations.

Two Models of Structural Knowledge Integration into Design-Build Studios

This paper explores two different models of structural knowledge integration employed in two desi... more This paper explores two different models of structural knowledge integration employed in two design-build studios and explores the implications of each model on the students’ participation and learning as well as its related issues of risk and responsibilities with the university. Both studios were conceived at non-NAAB accredited undergraduate four-year programs in architecture, but in different countries (Turkey and the United States). These two studios engaged students in building projects from conception to realization, working with real clients, city officials and industry consultants. The first studio involved collaboration with ‘academic’ structural engineers, while the second incorporated collaboration with ‘professional’ structural engineers. This study reflects on the two learning models and evaluates the value of each for the integration of design and construction education.

The La’ mella House | Small Efforts: Big Impacts

by Ahmed K. Ali and Jaechang Ko

Project Proceedings

The La’ mella House: small efforts: big impacts la·mel·la: “a fine, plate-like structure, usuall... more The La’ mella House: small efforts: big impacts

la·mel·la: “a fine, plate-like structure, usually in a group."

“I remembered him, with a thick gray beard and several layers of clothes standing by the bus stop when it was freezing outside. I used to stop and pick him up in my toasty car, open up the trunk with a push of a button so he could shove his heavy duffle bag, he often sit in the back seat saying basically … nothing. I tried several times to initiate conversations with him. But when he talked - hardly ever - he said jewels of wisdom. Library workers knew him as an avid reader who spent time at the library nearly every day. Teddy Henderson or Abdul-Shahid passed away on October 6, 2008; he was 62. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1946. He graduated from high school and attended Hampton University in Virginia. In 1968, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Washington, D.C.

The story of Abdul-Shahid is not much different than the story of thousands of homeless Americans who left us perplexed with mystery.
“This project is dedicated to the memory of Teddy Henderson (Abdul-Shahid)”

The interior space of the 145 years old Menomonee Street house in old town, Chicago always captivated us. Daylight beautifully penetrated the interior space through windows that were carefully inserted in-between the gable roof trusses. How such a tiny footprint came to be so charming and inviting? The exposed roof structure and its play with light inspired our design. The La’ mella House is approximately 290 square feet, is tiny in its footprint area but significant in its upward aspiration. We used the vaulted roof to increase the perception of the interior space and to free the end walls for high operable windows to allow for cross ventilation. The lamella roof structure acts as a reminder for us to the role of the individual in the society and the power of joining small efforts to create big impacts. The roof structure receives its rigidity from a tension steel tie and a tongue and groove pine boards below layers of insulation topped with a corrugated metal roof. The roof sits on Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) wall panels sized 3’X8’ that are quickly erected and anchored to a concrete floor slab. The concrete slab performs as a heat mass to store heat drawn from a thermal well and through a circuit of copper pipes impeded in the slab, suggesting the floor to perform as a livable surface. The CLT walls need no interior finishes and bring warm feeling to the interior. The house articulates Semper’s Four Elements of Architecture: The Hearth, The roof, The Walls and The Floor by simply paying careful attention to the making of its elements and finding a balance between its structure, construction, and tectonic expressions.
The overall site plan creates a sense of community by including three small courtyards that are carefully inserted in-between the houses. The small courtyards give a sense of belonging and intimacy rather than one big courtyard for all. The communal space is composed of the same construction module of the house and carports utilized the lamella roof module. The layout can be easily adapted for various configurations to meet other sites conditions. By limiting windows to only one side of the house, expansion and attaching other modules are possible. All elements of the house meet both the construction and energy requirements. The total cost of the house module materials comes under 30K, and we propose engaging the homeless youth in the learning and making of their homes. Huge labor cost savings could be achieved as well as trades-learning opportunity and life-changing paradigm for the homeless youth of Detroit.

Lessons Learned from Process Engineering: Redefining the Architectural Design Process through Building a Decision-Support Framework for Design with Reuse

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE: MATERIALS & STRUCTURE

This study argues that the real distinction between reuse and recycle exists in Knowledge and Inf... more This study argues that the real distinction between reuse and recycle exists in Knowledge and Information. This suggests that design with reuse requires a paradigm shift in the required knowledge base and the way information flows within the design process. Unfortunately, the structure of this paradigm shift is not known and hasn’t been well defined yet. Since knowledge forms the core of building a Decision Support System (DSS) for architects in order to consider reuse, it is necessary to capture the required knowledge and information from the building material reuse experts through a Knowledge Acquisition (KA) process.

Business Process Modeling in Architectural Design Decisions

Deconstruction and Materials Reuse

The use of arbitrary descriptions to distinguish reuse from recycle has caused nothing but more c... more The use of arbitrary descriptions to distinguish reuse from recycle has caused nothing but more confusion to the public. This study argues that the real distinction between reuse and recycle exists in Knowledge and Information processing. The literature suggested that the lack of information on used and salvaged building materials and processes of decision-making are the major constraints for architects and designers to consider reuse. This suggests that design with reuse requires a paradigm shift in the required knowledge base and the way information flows in the design process. Unfortunately, the structure of this paradigm shift is not known and hasn't been well defined, this is the goal of this research. Since knowledge forms the core of building a Decision Support System (DSS) for architects in order to consider reuse, it is necessary to capture the required knowledge and information from the building material reuse experts through a Knowledge Acquisition (KA) process. This knowledge can then be used to 1) identify the building material reuse criteria and 2) to build a prescriptive decision model and 3) to map the process design of the current architectural design workflow and the proposed one. The overarching goal of the study is to use the building material reuse knowledge for 1) building a Unified Virtual Repository database which to be connected to all available physical repositories and share same standards of information. 2) When the unified virtual repository be integrated with Building Information Modeling (BIM) database, the DSS acts as a feedback and feed forward support for architects and designers as they consider reuse.

Knowledge Transfer: Single Wall Construction and Modern Quest for a one-Component Structure and Enclosure

Knowledge Exchange and Building Technology Transfer

In this paper we present the single-wall construction method used in the Joseph V. Frnka House in... more In this paper we present the single-wall construction method used in the Joseph V. Frnka House in Columbus, Texas as a case study and we develop a comparative analysis with both the Structural Insulated Panels and Cross-Laminated-Timber panels approach to contemporary single wall constructions. If the idea of one piece replacing numerous framing, enclosing, insulating, and finishing components is a persistently modern idea, how can it be informed by the historical single-wall method? Single-Wall or “Box-Type” construction methods were a dominant approach to economical, often owner-built housing in America during the early and middle nineteenth century. Hundreds of examples of what is essentially a load-bearing-skin approach to structure for houses, sheds, churches, and stores wherever speedy construction was demanded.

The Problem of Building Materials Waste in the Architectural Design and Construction Industry (A Knowledge Acquisition Process)

by Ahmed K. Ali and Sean McGinnis

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) identifies six categories in the Materials and R... more The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) identifies six categories in the Materials and Resources (MR) section of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. One of these six categories is Resource Reuse (RR). However, a recent study about the cost of green buildings indicated that RR was the category credits least often achieved in most LEED certified projects. There are a number of constraints and barriers to resource reuse primarily due to the complexity of buildings but perhaps the most important barrier, according to many architects, is the lack of easily accessible information to the design team on RR. Unfortunately, in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, both reuse and recycle terms are used interchangeably without a clear distinction between them, which has caused nothing but more confusion to the public. This study proposes that the real distinction between reuse and recycle exists in Knowledge and Information. This suggests that design with reuse requires a paradigm shift in the required knowledge base and the way information flows within the design process. Unfortunately, the structure of this paradigm shift is not known and has not been well defined. Since knowledge forms the core of building a Decision Support Systems (DSS) for a design team in order to consider reuse, it is necessary to capture the required knowledge and information from the industry experts through a Knowledge Acquisition (KA) process. This knowledge can then be used to identify the building material reuse criteria, to build a prescriptive decision model, and to map the process design of the current traditional architectural design workflow and the proposed one. This study suggests using the building material reuse knowledge base for building a Unified Virtual Repository database to be connected to all available physical repositories and share a unified standard of information. Once, the unified virtual repository is integrated with the Building Information Modeling (BIM) database, the DSS can work as a feedback and feed forward support for architects and designers as they consider building material reuse in new designs and constructions.

Investigating the Ecology of Metal Double-Skin Living Wall Facades Towards a Circular Economy

by Patricia Kio, Ph.D. and Ahmed K. Ali

Background/Literature Review

Re-Defining the Architectural Design Process through Building a Decision-Support Framework for Design with Reuse

A white paper on my ongoing research in Re-Defining the Architectural Design Process through Buil... more

The La’ mella Project: Tiny House for Youth Homeless

by Ahmed K. Ali and Jaechang Ko

“I remembered him, with a thick gray beard and several layers of clothes standing by the bus stop... more “I remembered him, with a thick gray beard and several layers of clothes standing by the bus stop when it was freezing outside. I used to stop and pick him up in my toasty car, open up the trunk with a push of a button so he could shove his heavy duffle bag, he often sit in the back seat saying basically … nothing. I tried several times to initiate conversations with him. But when he talked - hardly ever - he said jewels of wisdom. Library workers knew him as an avid reader who spent time at the library nearly every day. Teddy Henderson or Abdul-Shahid passed away on October 6, 2008; he was 62. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1946. He graduated from high school and attended Hampton University in Virginia. In 1968, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Washington, D.C. The story of Abdul-Shahid is not much different than the story of thousands of homeless Americans who left us perplexed with mystery.
“This project is dedicated to the memory of Teddy Henderson (Abdul-Shahid)”

The Tree Project: Bryan Urban Farmers Market

“the Tree,” is an autonomous shading structure with a multilayered roof that stemmed from a clust... more “the Tree,” is an autonomous shading structure with a multilayered roof that stemmed from a cluster of columns. It is the prototype for a proposed series of identical sections that, when placed side by side, create a row of farmers’ market stalls. Each section, or “tree,” provides approximately 100 square foot of shaded stall (8- by-12 feet of vendor space) supported by four 6-by-6-inch posts. The outdoor market structure was designed and built by environmental design and construction science students. The effort was part of Real Projects, a Texas A&M College of Architecture community outreach initiative engaging students from multiple disciplines in efforts benefiting Brazos Valley residents and local communities.

The Kilim Project: Full Scale Study Models

The Kilim Project

Inspired by the craft of weaving, students of ARCH 252 Design/Build Lab at Bilkent University are... more Inspired by the craft of weaving, students of ARCH 252 Design/Build Lab at Bilkent University are pleased to introduce their first built project. The art of weaving has a history that spans as far back as the days of human's early settlements. Our Turkish textile arts have won the admiration of the world with their motifs, colors and materials. The Kilim project use forms that symbolize the sacredness of the male/female figures and we incorporated the principles of weaving in the structure and furnishings using wood dismantled from shipping pallets, increasing awareness of materials reuse and enhancing sustainable design thinking, optimization and flexibility.

The Design/Build Lab is part of ARCH 252 Construction and Building Materials courses taught by Dr. Ahmed K. Ali. The D/B Lab is the departure point for a larger initiative; The Building Technology, Materials and Fabrication Lab (BT-MFL) which intends to be a vital component of the Department and the university at large, focusing on manufacturing, fabrication, prototyping and construction means & methods and the subsequent testing and analysis of fabricated assemblies and materials. The BT-MFL intends to support the education of architecture by demonstrating building products, process innovation and multidisciplinary collaboration.

This project is dedicated to the victims of Some mine disaster.

Finding Perfection in Imperfection: A Case Study of Adding Value by Design in Circular Economy

by Patricia Kio, Ph.D. and Ahmed K. Ali

ARCC Conference Repository, 2018

The United States' manufacturing industry generates approximately 7.6 billion tons of non-hazardo... more The United States' manufacturing industry generates approximately 7.6 billion tons of non-hazardous solid waste each year, a significant portion of which is either recyclable or reusable. Emerging ecosystem concepts such as cradle-to-cradle, design for disassembly, sustainable manufacturing, and most recently circular economy, are promoting the reusing or recycling of non-hazardous industrial waste. Empirical evidence suggests that there are significant economic, environmental, and social benefits to reusing industrial waste rather than recycling it. This paper presents, discusses and synthesis five speculative case studies in designing exterior building skins using standard automobile stamping by-products. The goal of the design experiment was to transform the linear approach in making building components, particularly, exterior metal skins and cladding systems, to a closed-loop approach, which ensures multi-dimensional economic, social, and environmental benefits. The results of the study are expected to aid in the reduction of energy used for extracting new materials and change the focus of the current waste management practices in the manufacturing industry from conventional recycling to creative reuse. The imperfection of the manufacturing industrial waste despite optimization measures, and the aging of zinc (patina) can both be transformed into novel unconventional architectural products.

Alternative Architectural Design Methods in The Reuse and Remanufacturing of Scrap Metals for Commercial Building Facades

by Patricia Kio, Ph.D. and Ahmed K. Ali

This paper seeks to explore the possibilities of alternative design methods by reusing scrap meta... more This paper seeks to explore the possibilities of alternative design methods by reusing scrap metals in architectural practice to reduce the carbon footprint by recycling metal. Currently, recycled metal constitutes 30% of the world's metal products. The highest percentage of recycled metal is generated from the automobile industry. In the United States of America and Europe, over 60% of recycled metal comes from the automobile industry. Every year, about 12 million vehicles are taken off the roads in the European Union where collection of scraps is carried out through commercial reverse logistic network. This percentage is expected to increase due to the introduction of contemporary sustainable car design. Steel is the most recycled metal and steel production is counted as the second largest consumer of energy in the world. Discovering alternate methods of reuse to simply recycling steel will reduce the energy utilized in the production of steel. Alternate design methods are being explored for their degree of disassembly in order to promote material and economic circularity. Improved reuse can certainly prolong the life cycle of scraps and improve their value. ABSTRACT This paper seeks to find poetry in recreating, not necessarily through beauty, but in the aesthetic dimension of trash itself or to find perfection in imperfection itself. The research presented herein focuses on design-driven applications for industrial by-products waste reuse. The aim is to understand the potential and feasibility of developing building skin systems based on designing out nonhazardous waste from the auto industry. In this paper, an experimental case study and testing research methodology are discussed. The method involves manufacturing processes observations, descriptions of automotive and building material culture that resulted in speculative design work. Moreover, linear mathematical models for estimating fabrication time and power have been postulated and used to evaluate each design quantitatively. The results from the models clearly indicate that fabricating intricate building components out of scrap material could entail a significant energy cost. In summary, the work provides examples of ecosystem knowledge transfer between the automotive and the building industries. The work is a result of a multi-year collaboration applied research project between academia and industry.