The impact of digital architecture in forming new urban identity Case study: Zaha Hadid philosophy and strategy of design

Abstract:

The personality and culture of an individual are heavily influenced by the character and identity of the location. Human beings are influenced by their surroundings and the society that exists within them. As a result, we now have a responsibility to learn. Due of the rapid growth of digital architecture and technology, this paper aims to explore the absence of data about digital architecture at the academic and professional levels in our society, especially at the level of urban type characteristics. As a result, the aim of this paper is to develop a theoretical framework based on the study and analysis of new urban type characteristics. Due to a variety of reasons, identity in our culture started to shift as civilization progressed. Any of them are our way of life and the technique of thought, for example. The aim of this paper is to study and analyze the new urban form and characteristics to produce digital architecture by analyzing Zaha Hadid philosophy and strategy in forming Digital architecture. Our Arab identity, which is defined by our culture and heritage, stands out from the rest. But, as new developments arise, the Arab identity is disappearing.

Key words:

Identity, Urban identity, Digital architecture, Urban form

1.Historical Background

From the beginning of humankind to this day, people of the world have sought to preserve their social, national and cultural distinction, The existence of identity has contributed to increasing the awareness of cultural and social specificities, which has contributed to the distinction of people from one to another. The term identity in various fields and schools there are different meanings and definitions of though, Identity has been defined linguistically and language dictionaries: Identity is the entirety of the features that distinguish something from another, a person from another, or a group from another. Each carries several elements in its identity. The word identity refers philosophically to the existence, manifestation, and form physicalism of existing people.

While the architectural identity, over the past three decades, has been a real global concern. Many cities have become increasingly vague, and starting to lose their character (Cullen, 1995), Many architects and writers have begun by defining the term identity, which differs from one person to another, Gordon Cullen in his book (Townscape) identifying identity of any city by how the city represent itself and he called visual appearance of the city (Cullen, 1995). According to ‘Adam’ (The Role of Architectural Identity) he defines identity is the origin for feeling of belonging, it is the way people can be associated as members of societies and groups (Adam, 2012). While ‘Humeyra’ in his book (Reconstitution of the Place Identity deal with Architecture) said Is part of the phenomenon of identity as it is necessary to retain the identity by changing buildings and places in the communities. Architectural identity is a cultural phenomenon that could lead to incorporating social change from past to future dialog (Casakin, 2012).

In the same context Amos Rapoport discuss in his paper (A framework for Studying Vernacular Architectural) how it is not common-sense to revive conventional systems after modern innovations, because originality is lost or if we move fully to contemporary systems so the outcome for the communities would be a massive waste

A hybrid case of societies is to continue, sometimes as a mixture of traditional and contemporary structures, while other times closer to a modern image (Rapoport, 1999). on the other hand, ‘Ahmadi’ discuss in his paper (theoretical base for urban morphology) how to recognize and understand the urban identity of a city through its physical structure (Moudon, 1997). Urban identity has been influenced by several movements and stages over time till today. In ancient Greece when an architect called (Hippodamus) planned the (Ideal City), In 2600 B.C. this model become a prototype for a lot of urban planner and designer when they want to develop their city (Glaeser, 2011).

Figure (1): Mulberry Street (Manhattan), New York, Medieval Centuries

By the medieval centuries (12th - 17th ), historians found that the urban identity of the cities forming by building the walls as a physical elements to identified which area is belong to the city and which area is not, then that cities how the city grow inside its walls spontaneous towards the most important building, and the urban factor which was the ruler palace, the church or the mosque which located in the middle (Platt, 1978). Figure (1) Shows how urbanization impacted the city and residents. 'Industrialization Period’ emerged in the late 19th century, in this era they are starting use term of urbanism,

The characteristics form of the industrial era was the turning point of society from rural to industrial and the transformation of man into machine, And one of the important characteristics of this era is that due to the use of cars and the need for larger streets, cities began to change the shape of buildings and divide plots of land to become more organized and return to the grid system (John D, 1987).

Figure (2): Industrial area, in the middle of the city, Industrialization Era

Many other movements emerged and the most significant that made urban structure building happen during this period, ‘Modernism’ this movement neglected all the old style of decoration and irregularity, focusing on the balance between form

& Design function. Modernism is the only movement to develop and grow into a universal school for thinking in the 20th century (Hopkins, 2014). The motto of this movement was ‘less is more’. The most important thing about this movement is that cities are beginning to lose their identity and all the cities are similar, all buildings are stripped of decoration, and they are brand new buildings not related to the society and disconnection with the surrounded (Funk and Wagnall’s).

Figure (3): The Villa Savoye in Poissy by Le Corbusier (1928), Modernism Era

Later in the late of fifties and early sixties of 19th century, another movement began and active part in the improvement in the form of the city, this style identified as ‘Post Modernism’ which was a reaction from Modernism. When the pioneers said that modernism lacks the variety due to its formality, this style or campaign is aimed at taking the spirit culturally and socially between the place and the house Broadbent, Geoffrey (1990).

The connection with the surrounded which made it act as a response to the civil rights movements. And make it as a part of the city, identity, and local society. They unspare there idea from the classic ‘they back to Greek, Roman, and Renaissance city’ also they analysis all the building and urban structure as a city and mix it with new material ‘spirt of time’, they respect all the context and surrounding level, so they mix between old and new, using of double code between Building, Society, Architect. The motto of this movement was ‘less is poor’ (Boyd, Robin 1968). With the beginning of the 21st century, new concepts, and individual attempts to form the urban identity of many cities began to appear, which were known as Digital Architecture.

2.Digital Architecture

Figure (4): Central Hub for Aljada project, UAE - Sharjah.

A new architectural style was emerging and was not recognized until the early of 2000s. This move was due to the rapid growth of technology and computer language, this style later recognized by a lot of architects as the Latest style dominant, due to its features in the development of an active design process based on data and logical results based on algorithms that made this style powerful, durable, and reliable. This style is now known as ‘Digital Architecture’ as showing in Fig (4) the effect of this style can clearly be seen and how the urban structure and identity of the city are exploited. Based on ‘Schumacher’ explains it as the trend that its background goes back to the digital technology, animation and techniques that the function of design method focused on the scripting and coding of algorithmic formulas with parametric systems (P. Schumacher, 2009).

In the same context ‘Heisserman’ define digital architecture: It is a collection of grammars which display methods for solving design tasks by implementing a calculation process as a solution mechanism (Heisserman,1994). The Digital Architecture concept is a field of engineering which uses digital media in the design process, design creation and comprehensive design of the type of architecture would be supported by digital architecture.

3. Literature Review

3.1 Zaha Hadid’s Techniques of Architectural Form-Making By: (Amatalraof Abdullah)

Figure (5):Collision of the surrounding geometries resulted into generating Vitra Fire Station form

The study showed and exposing the six methods Zaha Hadid used to design the architectural mass. Moreover, the authors refer Zaha works (uniqueness by these techniques to the use of inconsistency principle). The drastic shifts in the architectural style of today are unavoidable consequences of the 21st century's sweeping technological advances. Zaha Hadid is one of the leading architects who have contributed to the development of unprecedented designs (Abdullah A,2013).

• Abstraction and Fragmentation

Figure (6):Vitra Fire Station,Weil am Rheine, Germany

• Gravity

• Context

• Layering

• Play of Light

• Fluidity

3.2 Digital Architecture : A New global Style for Architecture & Urban Design by : (Patrick Schumacher)

Figure (7):The creative space of Abdullah Art Cultural Center in Amman, Jordan

This paper explains the digital architecture style as a movement, starting from the historic background till It become a dominant style today, also it points to how the Parametric design is the best choice in developing the urban scale projects in term of forming, execution and fabrication. Taking Zaha Hadid Architects' winning masterplan competition by study and comparison with the methods known. The output of this paper is to explain the digital architecture as a style to design the urban design scale, A technique that has ideologies and understandings, that improves the cities in a better way. The result of this research is to classify two main parameters of urban design measurement or compare with current city morphology (Schumacher P,2009).

Figure (8):Zaha Hadid Architects, Kartal-Pendik masterplan, Istanbul, Turkey

• Fabrication

• Forming

3.3 Zaha Hadid Strategy Of Design By: Ismail Ben Said, AmatalRaof Abdullah, Dilshan Ramaz Ossen

Figure (9):Opus tower, interior designby Zaha Hadid Architects, UAE Dubai

This paper focuses on Zaha Hadid's strategy as a major leader in this worldwide movement of architects and designers. Qualitative research is performed using content analysis as a credible data source for its open texts and videos. Hadid's series of design processes suggests that she sees architecture as an art that can be used to satisfy the demands of a successful architecture and clientele, Zaha Hadid always insist that architectural history is taught to let architects think forward not backward, this research might help to erase the misconception about her designs as pure coincidence and random artistic works and demonstrate her interest in fulfilling the requirements (Abdullah A,2013).

• Form with the Context

• Interior Design

• Movement And Function

3.4 The PArametric Design Genealogy of Zaha Hadid By : Younglin Lee

Figure (10):Aerial View, Kartal Pendik Masterplan by Zaha Hadid

This paper explores the conceptual approach of Zaha Hadid with a chronological examination of her work and its parametrical design. however, Hadid doesn’t show the geometry of the building inspired by her work of paintings. This paper analysis reinterprets Malevich's paintings, an originator of Supremacism, Her early work aims to facilitate parametric observation in the Gestalt psychology discourse, in order to find clear design methods in the practice her early work. In investigating Malevich's inspiration in her early work into her new approach to parametric design, Hadid's consistent the design methodology within the development of her work is investigated (Lee Y,2015).

Figure (11): View of integrated patterns of Plazza & Facade, Szervita Square tower by Zaha Hadid

• Urban space

• Organic architecture

5.The main factors in shaping urban identity.

▪ Abstraction and Fragmentation

Abstraction is to break down the normal illustration of perceiving things and the way of dealing with it. fragmentation is to break the rules of known illustrative architecture which leads to producing the same architecture as industrial mass production. Hadid defines the fragmentation as an application that follows these processes „break the block, make it porous‟ then it creates „organizational patterns which imply a new geometry‟

▪ Gravity

Allowing parts of the ground floor to stand remain unsupported. And makes the ground porous in order to let some elements work individually; therefore, these elements could energetically take their places in the current urban design. uses tilted columns, fluid and inclined surfaces instead of dealing with right- angles

▪ Layering

This technique is helping to create amazing voids and spaces that meet the aspirations of architectural space.

Complex and fluid space.

▪ Organic architecture

Organic architecture refers to designing and building structures and spaces that are balanced with their natural surroundings and tailored to the function they serve for their inhabitants. Organically designed structures seem to meld with the landscape or rise from it as if the surrounding spaces gave birth to them.

▪ Effect of lighting

Play of masses under the factor of daylight is one of the techniques used intensively by Hadid wherein the element of shadow adds motion and life to the elevation. Play of masses could be achieved by using buckling, extrusion, fragmentation, abstraction, and making the building porous.

▪ Fluidity

inspiration for this technique from the complexity of form in nature, Arabic calligraphy, and the natural seamless flow of the landscapes avoid using L shape or 90-degree corners by curving the surfaces to give the sense of continuous fluid space and sometimes by inclining surfaces toward the inside or outside

▪ Movement And Function

The placement, form, and features of a building must reflect its intended use — and the people who use it

, while permitting future adaptations or improvements. Structural and mechanical systems are crucial to the function of architecture.

6. Case study

In this paragraph, we will discuss about 3 of the most important projects in the UAE, that explain the idea of digital architecture and hybrid free forms that express the identity of the designer and the uniqueness of his ideas in free organic shapes that are not related to the philosophy of time and the identity of the place. The projects that we will discuss are: 1. The Museum of the Future in Dubai, 2. Bee’ah Headquarters in Sharjah, 3. Abu Dhabi International Airport in Abu Dhabi.

6.1 The Museum of the Future

The Museum of the Future located in Dubai, the $ 136 million museum houses inscriptions of Arabic poetry by Sheikh Mohammed that appear to be carved in the façade, while a huge hologram appears to fill the elliptical void. Part of the building structure has been 3D printed. The Museum is a space of innovation and design, designed by architect Sean Keila. The museum is under construction and is scheduled to open at the beginning of 2021 (20). The museum has achieved some factors in shaping the urban identity through:

Effect of lighting

• form

Figure (12): 3D view of the museum of the future, Dubai

The effect of lighting on the shape of the building, which was completely covered by sayings of Sheikh Mohammad, through which the designer wanted to highlight the depth, anthropomorphism and the third dimension, which in turn increases the visibility of the building's details more clearly, the designer achieved the pleasure of research and investigation from the visitors.

• Façade Design

The idea of designing the façade emanating from the quotes borrowed from the Arabic calligraphy of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad, as it creates a state of harmony with the surroundings and respect for the nightly identity of the city as showing in fig 13.

Figure (13): Night picture of the Museum of the future, Showing the Effect of lighting in the building

• Context

The building is a state of interconnectedness and harmony with respecting the relationship with the surroundings as showing in fig 14.

Gravity

• Form

Figure (14): An aerial photo of the museum showing the relationship with the srroundings

The project appears to create dynamic energy and is characterized by strength and movement, but at the same time this energy respects the Earth's gravity, and the building maintains its personality and identity.

• Façade Design

There is total stability between the building's external axes and the building polarity, which enhances the idea of defying gravity and makes the facade design a special and unique sign of the building.

• Context

The building represents the idea of free architecture free of restrictions and the introduction of a new and different architectural idea and language as showing in fig 12.

6.1 Bee'ah Headquarters

Bee'ah's new headquarters, located in the Emirate of Sharjah, is inspired by the shapes and patterns of sand dunes that embody architectural innovation in design and a model of sustainability in implementation. The new headquarters, designed by architect Zaha Hadid, is a unique and futuristic landmark, and reflects Bee'ah's spirit and commitment to environmentally friendly practices. Energy is provided for the new building entirely from renewable energy and embodies the optimal use of resources, while maintaining its connection with nature, through the flow of its distinctive design structure. Among the most important features of the building (21)

Effect of lighting

Figure (18): 3D View of The Bee'ah
Headquarters, Sharjah

• form

The designer wanted to seamlessly integrate lighting with the free-form and hybrid shape and highlight the building's details by forming lights that wrap around the building to create a unique identity for the building.

• Façade Design

Figure (19): Night picture of the Bee'ah Headquarters, showing the Effect of lighting in the building

The facade of the building was distinguished by unique lighting designed specifically to perform and aesthetic functions that increase the effectiveness of the building.

• Context

The designer created a special nightly identity for the building through the harmony of the organic shape of the building with the surrounding, as it shows in fig 19 that the shape flows from the desert and ends with it.

Figure (20): side view of The Bee'ah Headquarters

Gravity

• form

The nature of the building's formation adapts to the surrounding environment to highlight the dynamism and activity of the building as it shows in fig 20.

• Façade Design

There is total stability between the building's external axes and the building polarity, which enhances the idea of defying gravity and makes the facade design a special and unique sign of the building.

• Context

The attractiveness of the building is related to the formation of the facades, whose dynamics change according to the direction and axial dimensions of the building.

Fluidity

• form

The flow of the building is related to the free and dynamic form, which is due to genetic engineering and shows the flow of the building’s layout, which in turn increases the effectiveness of the building’s performance.

• Façade Design

The facades of the building flow in a free manner and the form façade design create a continuity between all sides with the absence of the sharp corner and this will increases the fluidity of the building.

Figure (22): 3D View of The Bee'ah Headquarters.

• Urban Space

The shape of the building is in harmony with the urban surroundings and is characterized by the continuous curved lines that indicate respect for the identity of the place

Organic architecture & Structure

• form

The shape of the building represents an unconventional design pattern, as it is characterized by a free and hybrid geometry, and this increases the difficulty of forming the construction the structure of the building

• Façade Design

Figure (23): A structural and constructional systems used.

Due to the high degree of flexibility as a result of the possibility of changing the shape - proportions of the façades, modern methods have been used to implement these free surfaces.

• Urban Space

The building represents the dynamic continuity of the curved lines found in the desert and the presence of harmony.

Fragmentation

• form

Figure (24): used the division of the main mass into two main parts

The division of the main mass into two main parts led to the integration in the performance of functions and the adaptation of the nature of the building's formation with the surrounding environment as it shows in fig 24.

• Façade Design

The building achieved the principle of fragmentation the building façades in a free way to activate the functional efficiency of the building and raise the efficiency of its climate and environmental treatments.

• Context

The designer's use the fragmentation for a functional reason with the continuity of linking the two blocks under one roof to express the designer's approach and uniqueness

6.3 Abu Dhabi International Airport

The new Airport is in the capital of UAE, where the project area is 735,000 m2, and the airport is expected to receive 80 million passengers annually. The airport designed by KPF and ARUP, NACO submit the winning design for the new Terminal Complex of Abu Dhabi Airport. The design of the new airport was inspired by the beauty and harmony of sand dunes in the desert environment of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (22).

Figure (25): used the division of the main mass into two main parts

Gravity

• form

The nature of the building's formation adapts to the surrounding environment to show the dynamism and activity of the buildings as it shows in fig 25.

• Façade Design

The facades of the building feature a unique and hybrid design that reflects the identity of the designer and creates a new language for the urban design.

Figure (26): used the division of the main mass into two main parts

• Context

The building represents a free architecture and geometric shapes, free from any restrictions to show the building's individual identity from the surroundings.

Organic architecture & Structure

• form

The organic tendency in architecture is towards complementarity in beauty, which means the integration of organs in the performance of their functions.

• Façade Design

Figure (27): used the division of the main mass into two main parts

Various structural systems have been introduced for unusual solutions to implement these free surfaces to represent an unconventional design style.

• Urban Space

The nature of the building's formation adapts to the surrounding environment, the designer departed from the prevailing style of society in pursuit of distinction and uniqueness.

Conclusion :

The world has witnessed a huge scientific and technological revolution in the recent period that affected all aspects of architecture and led to the formation of new schools and trends, Hybrid free forms arose that resemble organic architecture forms and express the identity of the designer, his uniqueness and his own language and a clear diversity in dealing with architectural design and the formation of internal spaces and architectural form, and how the architectural identity in our Arab cities was affected by these technologies, and the transformation from traditional and familiar shapes to free geometric shapes free from any restrictions not related to the identity of space and time. this development made forms impossible to implement - in the past - It has become easy and easy to draw and apply to computer programs and then apply it in reality with ease by using the latest existing building techniques with the use of new materials such as The Museum of the Future, Abu Dhabi international airport, Bee'ah Headquarters

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