ABIYA

View Original

Hybrid Parametric of Mashrabiya and the 3D Digital Craftsmen

Technology nowadays causes alterations in the methodology of constructional pruduction, thus creating a major number of variables in Mashrabiya manufacture.

This means that more advanced turning machines are available in the design and production process, such as CNC Wood Turning Lathe, (Figure 4.19) which allows a choice of design by entering numeric values to the computerized memory for turning wood. This cuts the need for expending a great deal of time and manpower, as found in the tradional fabrication process (Figure 4.20).

Figure 4.19: The CKX-600/1300/1600 CNC Wood Turning Lathe (http://en.intorex.com/1674/cnc-wood-turning-lathes-ckx-600-1300-1600#ad-image-2832)

Figure 4.20: The CNX is a fully automatic CNC wood turning lathe (http://en.intorex.com/1674/cnc-wood-turning-lathes-ckx-600-1300-1600#ad-image-2832)

Almerbati et al. (2016) in their research about the hybrid Mashrabiya, supported the importance of CIM and CNC Mashrabiya model of Samuels’s thesis (Figures 4.21- 4.23) and his final result:

Figure 4.21: Test patterns by William Samuels (Samuels, 2011)


(a) Basic Mashrabiya component.

(b) Component tiling arrangement.

(c) 3D Structural bracing layer.

(d) Joint connection detail.

(e) Misting Spray Points.

See this content in the original post

Figure 4.23: Component Tessellations of development of Samuels’ CIM and CNC (Samuels, 2011)

Almerbati et al. (2016) followed Samuels’ experience to explore new hybrid parametrics of Mashrabiya, and they pointed out that as traditional craftsmen persevered in understanding the kinds of wood and tools to be used, digital craftsmen seek to master the art of how to convert the functional limitations of different types of technology and new machines, into the contemporary digital construction that controls their careers. When digital craftsmen study the history of Mashrabiya, they can inform the traditional mathematical and geometrical patterns with functional design parameters which can be controlled by graphic algorithmic modelers. The geometric dimensions are improved through the use of T- Splines (Figures 4.24- 4.25).

Figure 4.24: 3D printing enables the production of parts that cannot be made in any other fashion, 10 cm by 10 cm test prints of Mashrabiya screen modular units using Form 1 printer (Almerbati et al., 2016)

Figure 4.25: Images of 3D-printed Laser Sintered Plastic for Focus Group Consideration in Bahrain (Almerbati et al., 2016)