Faculty of Engineering

Department of Architecture
Architecture Design 4A - DES 400

Library, Knowledge Hub,

and Research Centre

01 Introduction

02 Theme/Approach (Building Tectonics)

03 Objectives

04 Program

05 Proposed Site

06 Case Studies

07 Bibliography
01 Introduction

“ If you are ever stuck for inspiration, ask

your materials for advice. “You say to a
brick, ‘What do you want, brick?’ And brick
says to you, ‘I like an arch. ‘And you say to
Louis Kahn brick, ‘Look, I want one, too, but arches
are expensive and I can use a concrete
lintel.’ And then you say: ‘What do you
think of that, brick?’ Brick says: ‘I like an
arch.”
01 Introduction

GO REAL
It is time to GO REAL AND PUT PARTS TOGETHER. In light of your knowledge from
previous design courses, this studio focuses on the real life application. The Design
Studio aims to develop your technical skills and apply the knowledge of building
physics in a comprehensive context in respect of user’s needs, climate, topography
and buildings. ‘Integrated design’ is a holistic practice, in which technical issues from
the fields of structural engineering, construction and environmental design interfere
your design process.

PUT PARTS TOGETHER

 02 Approach

Tectonics in architecture is “the science or art of

construction”.1 It is the "activity of making the
materially requisite construction that answers certain
needs, but rather to the activity that raises this
construction to an art form."2 Tectonic approach is
beyond the basic construction techniques.

“Building physics is a creative use of advanced

analytical tools, skills and methods defines our work
with clients to design buildings that are comfortable
to occupy, easy to use and light in their
environmental impact.”3

1 Robert Maulden. Tectonics in architecture : from the physical to the meta-physical (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1986).
2 Robert Maulden. Tectonics in architecture : from the physical to the meta-physical (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1986).
3 https://www.arup.com/expertise/services/buildings/building-physics (access date, 4 Sep. 2018).
03 Objectives

By the end of this course, the students should demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and clear understanding of the following:

Knowledge and Understanding

Explain user’s expected interaction in the new design.
Understand context and its effect on the new fabric & site.
Gain the design philosophy through international & local case studies.

Intellectual Skills
Judge case studies critically and arrive at creative solutions to intricate problems
Develop design concepts based on keywords and sketches
Develop concepts using site influences and building program
Analyze design decisions affecting final product
Analyze green measures in design proposals
03 Objectives

Professional and Practical Skills

Use a consultant approach by merging keywords with design output.
Use of models as a design tool.
Develop creative solutions in design
Develop green architecture measures in design
Develop managerial skills in group work effort
Develop sense of aesthetics and identity in design

General and Transferable Skills

Gain and practice the principle of quality control.
Develop skills related to problem identification, concept generation, and model making.
Set up Communication through team work of design.
Enhance longline research qualities
Appreciate a developer mentality for projects
Manage time and resources effectively
04 Program

The project is a place where researchers/students/readers with the same specialty are to gain and share knowledge. It is
used to promote the reading and researching skills of the users. The project include a library with outdoor activities,
knowledge hub, and research center. Each group (of two students) will design his own project with a specific major that
should have special treatment on the architecture level and construction level. It is supposed to send a different
message from the traditional library design, as it has to include special activities that will attract the researchers /
students / readers of different age group.

The design process of each project should be based on the related Environmental and Tectonic studies. Special and
innovative structure solution should be applied to your special space, and it should reflect your vision. The choice of the
structure system should be the conclusion of the space analysis, topography, users and design concept.
04 Program

A. Library
Specialized library that serves the same specialty of the research center with general section of some
related topics. The following spaces are required:
▪ Entrance lobby with control area
▪ Open stack area for books, catalogs and references. Books can be accessible by the readers
▪ Closed stack area, where contact between the reader and books takes place via the library staff. Loan
section could be added to that area
▪ Open reading space/s for 500 readers
▪ Casual reading area (Outdoor/Indoor) for 150 readers
▪ Cubical (individual) reading space for 50 readers
▪ Computer / Open access Hall/s for 100 users
▪ 6 offices for the library administration
▪ Cafeteria
04 Program

B. Knowledge Hub

The main idea of the knowledge hub is to integrate the digital technology to connect knowledge channels
with colleagues and experts from the same specialty or the same field of interest. It allows them to share
knowledge and insight; this enables them to enhance their practice, learn from experiences, inspire
innovation and opens new horizons of learning. The knowledge hub comprised of the following components:

▪ Working spaces (Indoor/Outdoor) for 360 persons

▪ Two seminar rooms, each for 100 persons

▪ Four multipurpose units, each for 50 persons

▪ Conference hall for 300 persons

04 Program

C. Research Center

The main target of the research center is to provide a research service in a specific field to the community,
researchers, students, commercial cooperates, industrial firms, …etc. The research center includes 2 or 3
research departments from the same major within an area range from 900 to 1200 m2 per department.
Each department should include the following spaces:

▪ Scientific labs (the area, the number and the specifications of the labs will be determined based upon
the center major)

▪ Offices / working area for 6 researchers

▪ Office for the head of the department

▪ Meeting / seminar room

In addition to an administrative area that include human resource office, finance office, purchase office and
storage area.
05 Proposed Site

The proposed site for the project located on the Nile corniche street, near tahrir square, and to the west of
the Egyptian museum.
06 Case studies
07 Bibliography

Robert Maulden. Tectonics in architecture : from the physical to the meta-physical (Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, 1986).
Kennith Frampton. The Details of Modern Architecture ( Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1995).
http://www.designinglibraries.org.uk/documents/designing_libraries.pdf
http://www.designinglibraries.org.uk
https://www.detail-online.com
https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/building-physics/
https://www.arup.com/expertise/services/buildings/building-physics
https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/78804
https://www.dezeen.com/tag/libraries/
https://www.archdaily.com/search/projects/categories/library
https://www.designboom.com/tag/library-architecture-and-design/
http://vbn.aau.dk/files/13313713/The_Tectonic_Practice_PHD_AMDS.pdf
http://www.tectonic-design.com
https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=year-in-architecture-2017
http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/09/09/library-usage-and-engagement/
http://www.topicarchitecture.com/articles/86136-the-modern-library-is-about-more-than-books
https://www.architectural-review.com/essays/typology/typology-libraries/8621638.article