Integration of Systems Ideas - Design 3 by Hajar Hamed

Solar Panel Integration in Domes

2025-02-14 07:52:46 UTC

Install thin-film solar panels on the dome without compromising its aesthetic appeal. The dome’s curvature can maximize sunlight absorption throughout the day.

Self-Cleaning glass with Rainwater Collection

2025-02-14 07:56:20 UTC

Use a self-cleaning coating on the glass surface to reduce maintenance and integrate a rainwater harvesting system into its design.

Dynamic Prayer Area Ventilation

2025-02-14 07:59:39 UTC

Install a ventilation system with CO2 sensors to regulate air quality and temperature based on the number of worshippers present.

Smart Ablution (Wudu) Stations

2025-02-14 08:01:20 UTC

Incorporate motion sensors and water flow regulators in wudu stations to minimize water wastage. Install a water recycling system to reuse gray water for landscaping.

Minaret as a Wind Catcher

2025-02-14 08:03:28 UTC

Integrate vertical-axis wind catcher into the minaret structure to ventilate the space.

Digital Prayer Time Display with Adaptive Lighting

2025-02-14 08:04:40 UTC

Use adaptive LED panels in the mosque for displaying prayer times, announcements, and Quranic verses. The panels adjust brightness based on ambient light.

Geothermal Cooling Under the Courtyard

2025-02-14 08:15:14 UTC

Install a geothermal cooling system beneath the mosque’s courtyard to provide natural cooling during prayers.

Smart Carpet Sensors

2025-02-14 08:17:02 UTC

Embed pressure sensors in prayer mats or carpets to track the number of worshippers and automatically adjust cooling, ventilation, or lighting systems.

Smart Moonlight System on the Minaret

2025-02-14 08:17:50 UTC

Add a smart LED “moon” on the minaret that changes color to signify prayer times, events, or the start of Ramadan/Eid. It can be solar-powered and remotely controlled.

Dynamic Acoustics System

2025-02-14 09:57:56 UTC

Incorporate smart acoustic panels that adjust sound distribution based on the number of worshippers and reduce echo during prayers or sermons.

Heat-Resistant Courtyard Tiles

2025-02-14 10:02:05 UTC

Install high-albedo tiles in the courtyard that reflect sunlight and remain cool to the touch, ensuring comfort for barefoot worshippers.

Micro-Mist Cooling System

2025-02-14 10:20:43 UTC

Install high-pressure micro-mist nozzles around the courtyard. These nozzles release ultra-fine water mist that evaporates quickly, lowering the air temperature without making the surface wet.

Radiant Cooling System in Courtyard Flooring

2025-02-14 10:21:43 UTC

Embed a radiant cooling system in the courtyard floor. Chilled water pipes run beneath the surface, cooling the tiles without significant energy consumption.

Interactive Enclosures for Mosque Courtyard Cooling

2025-02-14 10:39:14 UTC

Install motorized, retractable panels made of high-performance insulated glass or polycarbonate materials.
Functionality: These panels can be extended to enclose the courtyard during extreme heat or high occupancy. When not needed, they can retract seamlessly into hidden slots, restoring the courtyard's open-air feel.
Include a smart control system to automate opening/closing based mosque capacity

Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG)

hajarfathalla — 2025-02-14 11:21:52 UTC

Integrating AWG technology into mosque courtyards, we can create a beautiful, functional, and sustainable space while reducing the need for excessive plant irrigation. The combination of ablution water reuse and atmospheric water harvesting makes this a practical and eco-friendly solution for mosques.

AWG collects moisture from the air and provides supplemental water for mosque irrigation or non-potable use

Clerestory in the Dome

2025-02-14 11:34:47 UTC

Adding multible clerestory in the dome to inhance natural daylight inside the payer hall

Self-cleaning Coatings

2025-02-14 11:43:42 UTC

Self-cleaning coatings and paints are designed with the capability to effectively remove contaminants such as dust, microbes, and toxins from surfaces.

Manufacturer: https://ecocleancoatings.com/product-benefits/outdoors/self-cleaning/#:~:text=A%20surface%20coated%20with%20ECOCLEAN,is%20washed%20away%20by%20rain.

SageGlass (Controllable Smart Glass)

2025-02-17 07:50:21 UTC

The smart windows come with intelligent control system that tints and clears the glass based on a predictive algorithm and real-time weather data. It could be controllable through intuitive wall touch panels and a mobile app. The system is integrated with major Building Management Systems on the market, allowing for more holistic building control.

3D Printed Mesh

hajarfathalla — 2025-02-19 09:39:06 UTC

Robots create a steel mesh framework that acts as both formwork and reinforcement for concrete, reducing material waste and enabling free-form structural designs.

Smart Shading Devices

hajarfathalla — 2025-02-19 09:42:35 UTC

Systems that involve mechanisms that adjust their orientation or configuration based on environmental factors like sunlight intensity, angle, or temperature.

It is implemented with sensors and automation in which it can optimize shading, reduce solar heat gain, and enhance energy efficiency,

Bioclimatic Domes

hajarfathalla — 2025-03-03 06:11:57 UTC

The mosque's bioclimatic dome features an innovative system of retractable panels designed to optimize environmental comfort while reducing energy consumption. These panels are strategically placed to open towards the side with the least heat and UV exposure, ensuring that the interior remains cool and well-lit during the hottest parts of the day. The mosque’s bioclimatic dome also integrates hidden photovoltaic (PV) panels within its structure, providing a seamless and efficient renewable energy solution.

Corten Steel Doors

hajarfathalla — 2025-03-03 06:17:20 UTC

Corten steel doors are a sustainable choice due to their durability, low maintenance, and environmental benefits. The self-protecting rust-like patina forms a natural barrier against corrosion, eliminating the need for frequent painting or chemical treatments, which reduces maintenance and environmental impact. The material is 100% recyclable and requires no toxic coatings, minimizing VOC emissions. Corten steel’s ability to absorb and radiate heat contributes to energy efficiency, aiding in passive temperature regulation. With a long lifespan of 50+ years and a strong fire rating, corten steel doors offer cost-effectiveness and minimal resource use over time. Local sourcing further reduces carbon emissions, making it an eco-friendly and practical option.

Skyfold Refractable Walls

hajarfathalla — 2025-03-03 06:26:22 UTC

Skyfold's retractable walls are designed to provide flexible space, especially in stepped or sloped areas. For a prayer hall, we could use these walls to easily divide the space into smaller sections based on the number of worshippers or the activities happening.

Decorative Panels

hajarfathalla — 2025-03-03 06:28:47 UTC

Recycled Aluminum

Highly durable and corrosion-resistant.

Lightweight and can be laser-cut for intricate designs.

Energy-efficient compared to virgin aluminum.

Recycled Plastic (rPET or HDPE)

Can mimic wood or stone textures.

Resistant to heat, moisture, and UV rays — ideal for harsh climates.

Matchbox Elementary School Sports Hall / Jovan Mitrović – Obrenovac (near Belgrade, high groundwater)

hajarfathalla — 2025-12-06 13:26:01 UTC

The town is near the Sava river and strongly affected by high groundwater. The architect sinks about 2/3 of the sports hall below ground to keep the mass low and preserve the schoolyard
Underground part (sports court, ballet/gym hall, changing rooms, services) is wrapped in a waterproof concrete “hull” about 5 m deep, just above the highest groundwater level – basically a waterproof box/boat in the soil.
Roof at yard level is a green garden roof, restoring outdoor play space and improving insulation.
The basement exists because the site has very high groundwater, so the architect designed a waterproof concrete “tank” underground to keep the building dry. By placing the large sports hall below ground, the building stays smaller and less visible, and the schoolyard above can remain open. Being underground also provides a stable temperature, which reduces energy use for heating and cooling. The basement holds the biggest functions—sports hall, gym, changing rooms—since they don’t need much daylight and work better in a protected, insulated space. This strategy lets the roof become usable outdoor space, turning the top of the building into part of the playground.
In our design, we can use a similar sunken strategy to protect spaces from floods and create a stable, energy-efficient environment for athletic facilities. It also allows us to free the surface for public recreation and connect the landscape smoothly to the building.

Beton Hala Waterfront Center / Sou Fujimoto – Belgrade, Sava river

hajarfathalla — 2025-12-06 16:37:16 UTC

The case study introduces a multi-level ramp system that smoothly connects the city level, the sports campus, and the riverfront, allowing people to move through the site as one continuous landscape rather than separate, disconnected levels. Its terraced roofs and platforms extend this idea by turning the building itself into a stepped public space where each level doubles as a viewing deck, seating area, or gathering point that looks over sports fields or toward the river. This approach transforms circulation into an architectural experience and makes the roofscape a major part of the public realm.
In our design, we can use this strategy to link the upper urban edge of the site with the river by creating a continuous ramp that weaves through the athletic center and climbs onto its rooftops, turning circulation into a defining feature of the project. The terraced roofs can become public viewing platforms, shaded hangout areas, and spaces for warm-ups or stretching, while also helping us manage height differences and keep sensitive indoor areas above potential flood levels.

Nike's New Belgrade Basketball Court Designed for Upcycling

hajarfathalla — 2025-12-06 16:41:14 UTC

Court surface is made from ~20,000 recycled sneakers, part of Nike’s “Move to Zero” (zero waste / zero carbon) ethos.
Shows how graphic design + material recycling can work in a public sports facility.
Consider recycled rubber or composite sports flooring (crumb rubber, recycled plastics) for indoor or outdoor courts.

Golden Horn Waterfront Sports Park and Public Space – Istanbul, Turkey

hajarfathalla — 2025-12-06 16:45:05 UTC

Uses terraced platforms and sloped surfaces facing the water → allows occasional inundation of the lowest levels.
Mix of hard surfaces and planted areas to help with drainage and stormwater.
Long linear paths good reference for river-edge promenade next to your athletic center.

Passive Strategies According to Climatic Conditions

hajarfathalla — 2025-12-06 16:56:59 UTC

Building Orientation
River Microclimate Utilization
External Shading & Solar Control
Natural Cross-Ventilation
Courtyard & Atrium Cooling
Passive Solar Heating
Thermal Buffer Zones
High-Performance Envelope
Thermal Mass Integration
Green Roofs & Green Walls
Daylighting Optimization
Solar Penetration Control
Stormwater Management
Microclimate Landscaping
Hygrothermal Comfort Control
Passive Indoor Air Quality Measures
Noise Mitigation Through Passive Design

PASSIVE FLOOD-RESISTANCE STRATEGIES

hajarfathalla — 2025-12-06 16:58:29 UTC

Elevated Building Platform / Raised Ground Floor
Sacrificial / Floodable Ground Level Zones
Water-Resistant Materials in Lower Floors
Raised Mechanical & Electrical Systems
Flood-Adaptive Landscaping (Berms, Mounds, Bioswales)
Permeable Ground Surfaces
Rainwater Retention & Detention Basins
Green Infrastructure for Water Absorption
Redirective Site Grading (Grading Slopes Away From Building)
Flood Barriers / Passive Perimeter Defenses
Wet-Proofing of Exterior Walls
Backflow Prevention in Drains
Floating or Amphibious Elements
Raised Walkways / Evacuation Routes

Safe Haven Library in Thailand

hajarfathalla — 2025-12-06 17:03:48 UTC

The Safe Haven Library in Thailand by Rintala Eggertsson is a strong example of passive flood-resilient design, using a simple elevated platform to keep all essential spaces safe and operational during seasonal flooding. By lifting the library on a lightweight stilt structure, the building allows water to flow freely beneath it, avoiding damage and eliminating the need for mechanical flood defenses. Its open undercroft, durable materials, and permeable form reduce hydrodynamic pressure while maintaining minimal impact on the landscape. The elevated design also improves natural ventilation and thermal comfort, showing how flood protection can work seamlessly with passive cooling. As a community refuge that stays functional during extreme weather, the library demonstrates how thoughtful spatial strategies—not expensive engineering—can create resilient, adaptable architecture, offering clear lessons for elevating and protecting key program areas in your own accommodation building.

Water-Resistant Materials on Lower Floors - HafenCity

hajarfathalla — 2025-12-06 17:11:35 UTC

For Part A:

In adapting a historical building within a flood-prone context, the HafenCity example shows that flood resilience can be achieved without compromising heritage value. Instead of replacing original materials, the strategy focuses on discreet, reversible interventions at the ground level. These may include applying breathable waterproof lime plasters, using sacrificial finishes that can be safely removed after flooding, introducing stone or brick flooring that matches the historical palette but withstands water, and relocating vulnerable functions and MEP systems to higher floors. Flood-exposed zones can be repurposed as low-sensitivity spaces, preserving the building’s fabric while allowing water to pass through without causing irreversible damage. This approach protects the cultural integrity of the structure while enabling it to adapt to future flooding.

Part B:

For the new athlete accommodation buildings, the HafenCity model can be applied more directly: the ground floor can be intentionally designed as a floodable, water-tolerant zone using durable materials such as reinforced concrete, porcelain tile, and waterproof mineral coatings. Living and training spaces can be lifted above the flood level, ensuring uninterrupted use during seasonal water events. With no heritage constraints, new construction can integrate elevated entrances, robust lower-level materials, open floodable undercrofts, and raised MEP systems, achieving a fully cohesive resilience strategy. This creates a contemporary building that harmonizes with its riverfront environment while prioritizing athlete safety, comfort, and long-term durability.

Facade Treatments: Sculpted Concrete “Wave-Deflector” Forms

hajarfathalla — 2025-12-07 14:45:24 UTC

You can shape the façade so the water impact becomes part of the architectural language.

Aesthetic expression:

Curved concrete walls
Angled plinth surfaces
Sculptural bases
Ribbed or folded planes

Performance benefits:

Deflects or redirects water
Reduces pressure on the façade
Creates dynamic, sporty character for an athlete’s village

Case Examples:

Dutch storm-surge infrastructure
Tidal flood-resistant public buildings