AENG 454_ Structure Design Studio Redesigning Tahrir Square

Spring 2011

Instructor Dr. Amr Abd El Kawi

Farah Shoukry

The American University in Cairo School of Sciences and Engineering Construction and Architectural Engineering Department

Design Phases

• 1. Research: Design Problem

• 2. Creative Presentation

• 3. Experience

• 4. Zoning and Program

• 5. Design Progress

• 6. Final Design

RESEARCH: TAHRIR SQUARE Part 1

25th of Jan Revolution:

Potential of Behavioral Change

The American University in Cairo

School of Sciences and Engineering

The Department of Construction and Architectural Engineering

AENG 454_ Structure Design Studio

How do we utilize the potential of the people's behavioral

change during the events of 25th of Jan in Tahrir Square?

Events

What were the events of the 25th

Jan?

Timeline:

Chronlogical Listing of

Events

Why did the events

occur

History

What were the

Reasons of the

Revolution

Behavior

What were the behavioral

Changes? & How to detect

it?

Methods & Data of Study

Physical Context:

- Environmental

Psychology

Experieces

-Observations

- Emotions

-Case Studies

How& Why was this behavior created?

Expert Analysis:

- Psychological

Theories

Potential

How to maintain this positive

behavior, new identity and avoid

relapse?

Our Intervention in Tahrir Square

Methodology of Analysis

• Events: Timeline of what occurred. Collecting Data from various sources and understanding the bias of each source.

• Physical Context Transformation: How the people utilized the space?

• Behavior: Identifying common themes of behavioral change witnessed at Tahrir Square

Research Conclusion

Incentives

• common goal of freedom

• Common enemy (violence)

• Egyptian media’s false reports

• Injustice, inequality

• oppression

New identity

• a very salient identity is that of a self-determined national people “el sha3b”

• group differences, such as those of ethnicity, class, or sex, are likely to recede in the face of the shared salient identity

Behavior

• The norms, thoughts, and actions typical of the salient social group will be particularly influential on group members (the Egyptian public) as long as that identity remains activated

• Potential for Change of Behavior (Common Themes)

CREATIVE PRESENTATION PART 2

Creative Presentation Delivering the Research Statement through a short video

Statement

New Identity, Hope and Potential

EXPERIENCE Part 3

ZONING & PROGRAM Part 4

DESIGN PROCESS Part 5

Conceptual Sketches

Massing and Structure Study

Updated Tahrir Story: Translating Experience Scene # 1: Fear and Faith

Approaching Tahrir Square, a father and his son are riding the car on a Friday morning. Father: Come with me. You'll understand Scene #2: Oppression Father: Three tickets please. Child: We're only two. Father: Be patient. Child: I saw you cry. Who was this little boy that you wished him well in your prayers? Scene # 3: Protection Father: [Reading a name out loud]. That's his home. [He placed the ticket, together with some fresh flowers he bought at the Gate near the Egyptian Museum]. He's my hero. Child: Our hero. Scene #4: Potential Child: I want to join. Child: It's your turn to listen. The child speaks about his father's best friend. An inspiration. A beginning. A bright future.

Final Design

Final Design

Final Design

Final Design

FINAL DESIGN PHASE Part 6

THANK YOU The End