Abstract

Oasis is set in the premises of a threatened freshwater eco-region through soil erosion. Erosion is one of the most largely occurring environmental issues in the world — the contributing factors are many while the consequences, severe. Through this research we aim to identify parameters contributing to and strategies that can be developed around the same using lattices as an intervention.

Prelude

Site Location

Hatta is part of Dubai Emirate that sits on the border with Oman. In winter, Hatta is the go-to spot for biking, camping and adventure. The Hatta Mountain Bike Trail Centre has developed around 50 kilometers of biking trails spanning a network of various terrains and distances. The construction of an artificial waterfall at the Hatta dam increases risk of salinity through contact with newer soil particles as motion is produced, velocity increases and water runs-off.

Climate & Region

Materiality

We opted for a local and sustainable material extracted from Dubai palm trees. Extracted leaf stems called petioles make primary members that can absorb the sun’s heat during the day, store it and radiate back during cooler hours of the night. They expand and contract with variation in temperature.

Goals

Design Process

Growth Pattern

We first identified run-off regions by running a few simulation and analyses. Water flow follows a fractal pattern in nature known as the Diffusion-Limited Aggregation. This algorithm is used to successfully simulate river networks and their expansion. The source of water correlates to the seed points in the algorithm. In case of multiple sources, seed points are added. They also serve as the location of an impact turbine that reduces the velocity of water that passes through, while generating kinetic energy which could be utilized as electric energy. Since velocity and quantity of water decreases as the spread becomes sparse, proximity parameters are put in place in terms of unit size and heights.

Connection Rules

Depending upon the proximity of points in growth, catenary arches of varying heights (relative to distance) were formed between points. Each point hosts a converged funnel of three units that branch from the primary emergence replicating phyllotaxis in nature. The tallest unit functions as a shade, the smaller forms an arch with the identical unit at another point, and the smallest unit forms the bridge support. The geometry of these aggregations is funneled owing to physics involved in the action of a vortex where the ‘eye’ aides in slowing down velocity and thus the settlement of soil. We discuss about the structural performance and optimization of this geometry here:

https://www.iaacblog.com/program/oasis-gridshell-design/.

A skin made of woven palm fibres wrapped directionally over immersed funnels sieves soil from water.

Conclusion

Credits