ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
by Simon Schleicher
Pre-Diploma (Architecture and Urban Planning)
University of Stuttgart (2004)
SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE AT THE
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
February 2009
 Simon Schleicher. All rights reserved.
The author grants to MIT permission to reproduce and to distribute publicly paper and electronic
copies of this document in whole or in part in any medium now known or hereafter created.
Author: _______________________________________________________________________________
Department of Architecture
January 14, 2009
Certified by: _______________________________________________________________________________
Sheila Kennedy
Professor of the Practice, Architectural Design
Thesis Supervisor
Accepted by:_______________________________________________________________________________
Julian Beinart
Professor of Architecture
Chair of the Department, Committee for Graduate Students
1
Thesis Committee
Sheila Kennedy
Professor of the Practice, Architectural Design
Thesis Supervisor
William J. Mitchell
Professor of Architecture and Media Arts and Sciences
Director of Media Lab’s Smart Cities research group
Thesis Reader
Nasser Rabbat
Aga Khan Professor of Islamic Architecture
Thesis Reader
2
3
4
Abstract
by Simon Schleicher
Submitted to the Department of Architecture on January 15, 2009
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the Degree of Master of Architecture
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
This thesis investigates the structural, spatial, and climatic performance of the Toldo – a traditional
lightweight street shading device, which is emblematic of Islamic cityscapes. Re-examining its historical roots along with its contextual, cultural and functional traits, the thesis aims at setting a framework on the basis of which to speculate its reincarnation within contemporary practice. Such framework provides the theoretical foundations and technological opportunities to reinvent the primitive
Toldo as a commercial spin-off, which envisions its modernization in three steps. Firstly, a digital
customization tool allows for intuitive, end-user generated designs; Secondly, energy-harvesting materials and microelectronics enhance the product's application range and enrich it with a functional
flexibility such that it can be used as an architectural skin beyond street level; Thirdly, an online marketing platform coordinates worldwide communication of interdisciplinary subcontractors, while integrating the product's traditional economy and craftsmanship. Finally, different case studies in Cairo
will demonstrate the widened scope of such architectural product and prove the system's reliability,
as it confronts real life demands and various propensities for investment.
Thesis Supervisor: Sheila Kennedy
Title: Professor of the Practice, Architectural Design
5
Acknowledgement
My sincerest gratitude to:
Sheila Kennedy for your tremendous guidance, faith in my thesis, and for reminding
me of what it means to be an architect.
William Mitchell and Nasser Rabbat for your always inspiring and motivating input.
The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture for supporting me with a travel grant
to Cairo and thereby, for opening my eyes to a fascinating culture.
Neri Oxman for your sympathetic guidance, unending encouragement, and being
this kindred spirit.
Shirley Shen for our years of close friendship and mutual support.
Steffi Hickl and Thomas Quisinsky for bridging all spatial distances with their assistance.
Steffen Reichert and Adela Kalenja for helping me out in the very last second.
Lucy Ynosencio and Andrew&Yukie Wit for making my final semester the best I’ve
ever had.
The numerous faculty, administrators and students at MIT who have contributed in
small but significant ways.
My family, whose unconditional support enabled me to go as far as I wanted, even if
it was away from home.
6
I dedicate this thesis to the University of Stuttgart and the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, which both became my spiritual home and enriched me by their transdisciplinary culture.
Contents
05
Abstract
06
Acknowledgements
08
Precedent Study
14 Toldo Economy
18
Vision
Academic Initiative & Commercial Spin-off
20
Product
Digital Customization Tool
34
Business Model
Globalized Product & Local Color
36
Case Study I
Toldo for Pigeon Coop
38
Case Study II
Street Toldo for Darb al-Ahmar
50
Case Study III
Rooftop Toldo for the AKTC
74
Appendix
Informative Background Studies
94 Bibliography
7
Precedent Study
8
Images: IL-Institute, University of Stuttgart
9
Origin
Toldo is the Spanish word for awning and describes various textiles and retractable
sun shades, which are spanned in between streets and courtyards. This small-scale architectural device can be traced back over a period of more than 2000 years and is still
extensively used today. Toldos can be found in many Islamic cities around the Mediterranean Sea and are most widely used in European towns with strong Islamic roots, like
Seville in Andalusia. Outside of Europe and the Middle East, however, they can also be
found in central America, for example in Mexico as well as in Japan and China.
Most likely, their early design was influenced by the Arab and Roman tent roofs and
was then further developed through manufacturing processes and kinetics, which
were used in shipbuilding.
Traditional street toldo in Valencia
Traditional street toldo in Valencia
Various kinetic mechanisms for Toldos
10 Images:
IL-Institute, University of Stuttgart
Climatic performance
Toldos are mainly designed to protect against excessive insolation and thereby preventing the space underneath from being overheated by the sun. Most often, they
are used in cityscapes to moderate the micro-climate of streets, courtyards, and public
spaces. Their cooling effect is based not only on shading but also on controlling the
radiation of the heat to the sky. During the course of a day the Toldo has to adapt to
changing environmental loads, while always preserving a habitable space within the
human comfort zones. For this reason, the Toldo’s dense and heavy cotton sails are
designed to allow for two conditions – an open and a closed state.
In the summer the Toldo is extended during the day and prevents the sun from hitting the thermal mass of the built architecture. As a welcome side effect it also protects against glare and airborne dust. During the night the Toldo is folded together.
Thereby, the warmth stored in the thermal mass, can radiate freely to the sky. This
environmental performance can reduce the measured surface temperatures by 30°C
and the offset temperatures of the air inside and outside the Toldo by up to 10-15°C.
In the winter this principle is reversed by absorbing warmth through a folded roof
during the day, and preventing its escape by closing the roof at night.
Spatial performance
Besides their impressive environmental performance, Toldos are also highly valued for
their spatial quality. Apart from manifold ornamental decorations and a large number of different cutting patterns, auxiliary structures can enhance the Toldo’s design
language. By combining different types of canvas sails, the awning can be adapted
to nearly any street proportion and can easily bridge gaps or equalize differences in
height. This space-enclosing and space-creating effect can be created by one Toldo or
amplified by a series of Toldos to frame entire shopping streets and boulevards. This
geometric flexibility on the one hand side, and its inherent expendability allows this
nd Suradeqs
application to easily range from a singular architectural intervention to an ubiquitous
urban infrastructure.
Structural performance and design typologies
Even though the use of Toldos is a very old tradition, the profession of architects and
civil engineers largely ignored this architectural device. One notable exception is the
research group around Frei Otto and his colleagues at the University of Stuttgart. In
the 1970ties and 80ties they started to investigate the Toldo’s cultural roots and its
structural performance. In their research they focused particularly on the geometric
transformation of the textile skin during the folding process and defined the resulting
difficulties of punctual loading and suspending of textiles. Their goal was to understand more about the underlying physical principles, which are acting on retractable
textile roofs, and transfer this knowledge into the design of new structures with even
wider span. In their famous publication series, called Information of the Institute of
Lightweight Structures (IL), they published many structural studies regarding various
Toldo typologies and distinguished between three main categories:
The smallest
categorie
are Toldo Sails of around 2 x 2 meters, which are most
Toldos above
courtyard
Toldosoften
above street market
attached to movable market stalls. They can be unfolded to protect the goods from
direct sun exposure.
Urban implementation of Toldos in the streets of Seville
The Classical Toldo, is a curtain-like awning of horizontal and sometimes vertical textile sails, which are suspended by sewn-on eyelets on parallel wires. These wires are
anchored in opposing walls of house facades. This type is traditionally used as Street
Toldo to cover an area of 4 x 10 meters or as Courtyard Toldo to spans up to 10 x 10
meters. One of the largest courtyard toldos was informed by the research of the ILInstitute and was built in 1987 by Frei Otto’s colleague Mahmud Bodo Rasch. This
Toldo covers the courtyard of the Quba Mosque, the oldest mosque in Saudi Arabia. It
consists of two awnings, each with a dimension of 15 x 35 meters. This span, however,
demonstrates the upper limit of this construction type and was only possible by the
use of high performing textiles and a sophisticated wind resistant cable structure.
The Sevillian cortège or Arabic Suradeq describes the third typology, which is a huge
festival pavilion for marriages and funerals. It consists of individual grayish-white awning segments, which are sewn or tied together and have exquisite colorful geometric patterns inside. This typology is either erected in between narrow streets or is
suspended from additional masts as a stand-alone tent, which cannot be drawn. The
largest traditional Suradeqs have dimensions up to 10 x 25 meters.
g mechanism
g & stretching of fabrics
Urban implementation
of Toldos
in the streets of Seville
Urban
implementation
of toldos
Images: IL-Institute, University of Stuttgart
11
Toldo in the streets of Khan el-Khalili
Toldos in Cairo
Thanks to a travel grant, supported by the Aga Khan Program of Islamic Architecture,
I was able to investigate the use of Toldos in the city of Cairo. Especially in the historic
district of Old Cairo, Toldos and Suradeqs characterize even today the cityscape. In
particular, in the area around the 10th century gate of Bab Zuwayla in Old Cairo, the
ancient craft of making Toldos and Suradeqs is still alive. Many workshops and tent
lofts can be found in one of the oldest thoroughfares in Cairo – Shari Khayyamiya.
Khayma means “tent” in Arabic and gave the Street of Tentmakers its name. Toldos
and Suradeqs are everywhere - be it as Street Toldos to cover the boulevards and cafés
without which the atmosphere in the souq Khan el-Khalili wouldn’t be the same, or
as Courtyard Toldo like in the Darb Shoughlan Community Center, or as one of the
Suradeq pavilions, which seem to appear out from nowhere whenever a family gathering has to be hosted. Until quite recently, it was the custom for all the important
events in a person’s life to be marked by the appearance of these tents – a happy wedding feast, the arrival of a newborn child, or a funeral. When the occasion calls for it,
a whole street can suddenly blossom from end to end with archways decked out in
bunting, leading to a Suradeq marquee for the reception of officials and guests. The
Suradeqs are especially in demand during the months of Ramadan to house groups of
folkloric singers and dancers. On the Prophet Muhammed’s birthday, a whole tent city
rises not far from the University of al-Azhar. At dusk, religious groups from towns and
villages surrounding Cairo come in procession – drums beating, hands clapping – to
take possession of the tent city for a few brief hours.
Conclusion
So far Toldos were largely ignored by the profession of architects and engineers. In
addition, they demonstrate an architectural grassroots movement, which was designed directly by the end-user, completely disregarded by any local building authority. The few exceptions in which Toldos were in the focus of academic research were
focused on their structural performance and their ability to cover spaces with the least
amount of material. The cited examples in cities like Cairo and elsewhere, however,
show that the Toldo has also a fascinating climatic, spatial, and cultural relevance,
which might have the potential for far ranging improvements. Moreover, it is worthwhile to further investigate one of the Toldo’s most interesting aspects, which is its
inherent flexible nature of being a device in between defined categories. It ranges in
its performance and design manifestation from a small-scale architectural product to
a ubiquitous urban infrastructure, from a protective skin to a cluster of moderated
spaces for various forms of habitation, and from a mono-functional design solution to
a multi-functional architectural system.
Suradeq tent in Old Cairo
12 Images:
www.flickr.com
Courtyard Toldo of the Darb Shoughlan Community Center
Images: Simon Schleicher
13
Toldo Economy
14
Craftsmen in the Tentmaker Street, Cairo
Images: www.flickr.com
15
Holistic understanding of the Toldo
In order to explore the Toldo not only for its climatic, structural, and spatial performance, but to understand it more holistically, this thesis investigates the Toldo’s contextual and economical traits. In a city like Cairo, which suffers tremendously under
its overpopulation and its lack of local authority to organize the living conditions of
its inhabitants, architectural products like Toldos have an interesting standing. In this
context, Toldos are not a top-down development to improve the cityscape and form
a neighborhood’s atmosphere; on the contrary, Toldos stand for an architectural bottom-up movement, which addresses specific demands by creating its own grassroots
market, supported by an industry of expertise and craftsmanship.
Embroiderers in the Tentmaker Street
Coppersmiths in Khan el-Khalili
Muqarnas in Isfahan
16 Images:
www.flickr.com
A slowly dying ancient craft
Cairo is only representing one of many Islamic cities, in which this market has formed
neighborhoods, completely dedicated to the fabrication of tents and Toldos for thousands of years. This market, however, is in the flux. According to the author John
Feeney, thousands of men were working once in the tent lofts and surrounding workshops in Old Cairo. Local textile manufacturers made exquisite fabrics and sold them
to embroiderers, who hand-stitched wonderful patterns onto them. Small tentmaker workshops have painstakingly sewn these textiles together to create Toldos and
Suradeqs. Coppersmiths provided little decors, metal fittings and fixtures to assemble
the tents on site. This ancient craft was passed from father to son and is now slowly
dying. At the moment, there seem to be only a few hundreds left. One reason for this
development is the transformation of the cityscape, another one is the inertia of this
craftsmanship, which hasn’t yet found a way to compete with machine-made fabrication techniques and is not able to enthuse the younger generations any more.
Reincarnation by expanded tool-set
To re-vitalize Toldos it is not enough to just propose appealing designs and some new
applications for their use. A successful reincarnation must be based on a vision for the
underlying traditional craft and speculate its reintegration to contemporary practice.
This thesis, therefore, doesn’t want to mimic or stick too strictly to the tradition, but
rather wants to transcend the Toldo’s craft by integrating new physical and digital
tools as well as current communication forms of the economy. One important aspect
thereby is to teach the young craftsmen the use of computer aided design and manufacturing techniques not by challenging them with unfamiliar tasks but to ask them
to work on components, patterns, and details as they did before. On the one hand
side this would make some steps in the fabrication process more efficient through
automatization, on the other hand it would allow for new ways to approach familiar
problems, whose complexity acted as a deterrent until now.
Sultan Hassan Mosque, Cairo
Images: Simon Schleicher
17
Vision - Academic Initiative & Commercial Spin-off
This thesis wants to be progressive by speculating that an unusual point of departure
could tremendously inform the design process. In many academic fields, for example
in business schools, interdisciplinary collaborations are quite common. For them the
exchange of expertise and the testing of new ideas are crucial tools to understand
the economic potential of a new business concept. Under an academic umbrella they
allow thereby for the emergence of possible commercial spin-offs.
In architecture departments the inner-disciplinary discourse seems to be still high on
the agenda. MIT, however, with its various world-class departments and long history
of trans-disciplinary dialogue could teach another approach and separate itself from
traditional schools with its own unique identity of architectural education.
Part of this thesis is a hypothetical collaboration of multiple research groups and academic initiatives here at MIT. Their aim would be to understand the Toldo holistically
and inform a commercial spin-off for the Toldo’s reincarnation as an architectural
product.Therefore, the thesis pools together four main partners to a team. The first
partner is the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture for its expertise in Islamic
culture and its endeavors in city rehabilitation projects. The second partner is Media
Lab’s Smart Cities Group for their innovative research on new technologies to enable
urban energy efficiency, sustainability, and cultural creativity. The third partner in
the team is MIT’s Energy Initiative, which is an Institute-wide initiative designed to
help transform the global energy system to meet the needs of the future and to help
build a bridge to that future by improving today’s energy systems. The last partner
in this team is the Institute of Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design at the
University of Stuttgart. Frei Otto’s former institute is still the leading name when it
comes to analysis and construction of textile structures.
18
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
www.toldos-online.com
Partners:
A GA K HAN P ROGRAM F OR
I SLAMIC A RCHITECTURE (AKPIA)
A GA K HAN T RUST F OR C ULTURE
Smart Cities Group
Historic Cities Support Programme
ILEK
A GA K HAN T RUST F OR C ULTURE
Institute for Lightweight Structures
and Conceptual Design
Aga
KhanCities
Agency
for Microfi
nance
Historic
Support
Programme
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
English
German
Arabic
Chinese
19
Product - Digital Customization Tool
The basis for a commercial spin-off, which is informed by an academic initiative, will
be concept called Adaptive Toldo SystemsTM. It combines the development of a digital
customization tool for intuitive, end-user generated Toldo designs with an online
marketing platform to coordinate the worldwide communication of interdisciplinary
subcontractors, while integrating the Toldo’s traditional economy and craftsmanship.
This framework can attract new customers and new manufacturers. Furthermore, it
can allow the Toldo to be reinvented through new materials, design, and fabrication
processes.
20
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
www.toldos-online.com
NEW
toldodesign© freeware
“We believe that everybody has a spark of creativity in them.
That’s why we let you design your own Toldo”.
Toldodesign© is all you need and it’s so intuitive you start designing straight
away. Shape your Toldo, see it in 3D and save it.
This online tool makes it easy and fun to design, for everyone!
To make the design process simpler, faster and give you more feedback
about the performance range, we have created an intuitive patterning system. It will help you to create cool designs in no-time and leaves lots of space
for exploration and experimentation.
online design tool 
21
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
www.toldos-online.com
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
NEW toldodesign© freeware
forming it
customizing cost/performance ratio
making it producable
CLICK AND DRAG
to define your rail curves
CLICK (AND DRAG)
to create a new
control point
REMOVE
by double-clicking it
How to design with toldodesign© freeware
Avoid crossing rail curves
This will result in unretractable surfaces. You will be automatically notified
whenever a design is not bunchable.
Avoid really narrow sections
Use the random button in the editor mode to have a look through some
producable designs or check our design library.
Our final check
Every design that is ordered will be personally checked by us. If it can’t be
made you will get a voucher to order a new one.
let’s start designing 
Step 1: introducing the interface
An intuitive interface enables the end-user to actively manipulate the pattern of the Toldo with all its construction elements.
22
CE
NE¬
www.toldos-online.com
3URFACE¬AND¬!IR¬4EMPERATURE¬
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
NEW toldodesign© freeware
89°
forming it
customizing cost/performance ratio
Rainfall
Max Temp
Min Temp
54°
making it producable
design step by step
01 location / orientation
3URFACE¬AND¬!IR¬4EMPERATURE¬
04 kinetic system
4EMPERATURE»#
03 pattern / layers
2OOF¬3URFACE
SHADED
Sun diagrams:

!IR¬4EMP
OUTSIDE
89°

Max Temp
60
05:55
50°
60°

2OOF¬3URFACE
UNSHADED
06 fabrication pattern
2OOF¬3URFACE
SHADED
07 confirm & send
240
!IR¬4EMP
INSIDE
54°
330
Rainfall
09
06:47
120
10°Max Temp 30
+30.06
*AN¬¬¬¬¬&EB¬¬¬-AR¬¬¬¬!PR¬¬¬-AY¬¬¬¬¬*UN¬¬¬¬*UL¬¬¬¬!UG¬¬¬¬3EP¬¬¬/CT¬¬¬¬.OV¬¬¬¬$EC
altitude:
+31.25
+20
150
Solar exposure:
S
20°
longitude:
Min Temp
30°
40°
300 19:59
#OMFORT¬ZONE¬
FOR¬#AIRO
»#
12
210
Seasonal climate: N
!IR¬4EMP
OUTSIDE
15
latitude:
17:00
4IME¬OF¬DAY¬H

$ATA¬3OURCE
.ATURAL¬%NERGY¬AND¬6ERNACULAR¬!RCHITECTURE¬(ASSAN¬&ATHY
"AU"IONIK¬7ERNER¬.ACHTIGALL
89°

E
¬ª#¬
or
12
80°
09
15
select city:
*AN¬¬¬¬¬&EB¬¬¬-AR¬¬¬¬!PR¬¬¬-AY¬¬¬¬¬*UN¬¬¬¬*UL¬¬¬¬!UG¬¬¬¬3EP¬¬¬/CT¬¬¬¬.OV¬¬¬¬$EC
Min Temp
70°
18
30°
40°
300 19:59
#OMFORT¬ZONE¬
FOR¬#AIRO
»#
30
20°Rainfall
W
05 elec. application
10°
54°

CAIRO, EGYPT
N
330
!IR¬4EMP
INSIDE
database
4EMPERATURE»#

2OOF¬3URFACE
UNSHADED
¬ª#¬
02 proportion / typology
environmental diagrams

E
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
60
05:55
50°
60°
70°
80°
18
W
09
15
Fluctuation of temperature:
E
12
help
save
4IME¬OF¬DAY¬H
reset
gallery




$ATA¬3OURCE
.ATURAL¬%NERGY¬AND¬6ERNACULAR¬!RCHITECTURE¬(ASSAN¬&ATHY
"AU"IONIK¬7ERNER¬.ACHTIGALL
240
17:00
15
210
12
09
06:47
120
*AN¬¬¬¬¬&EB¬¬¬-AR¬¬¬¬!PR¬¬¬-AY¬¬¬¬¬*UN¬¬¬¬*UL¬¬¬¬!UG¬¬¬¬3EP¬¬¬/CT¬¬¬¬.OV¬¬¬¬$EC
150
S
Learn more 
Data source: Ecotect & Meteotest
N
330
Step 2:10°defining
30 the environmental constraints
20°
The customer
specifies
the location and thereby accesses a climatic database, which defines the environmental constraints.
30°
40°
Feedback tools:
50°
climatic performance
300 19:59
60
05:55
60°
70°
Qsolar = 6990 [ kWh/m2d]
80°
18
W
17:00
15
12
210
09
150
S
Latitude: Longitude:
Elevation:
+ 30.06
+ 31.25
+ 40 m
Month:
May
06:47
120

12
Single Layer

240
E
09
15
solar energy gain
23
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
www.toldos-online.com
design step by step
forming it
customizing cost/performance ratio
preview
01 location / orientation

02 proportion / typology

database
making it producable

ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
NEW toldodesign© freeware
product line:

04 kinetic system

05 elec. application

06 fabrication pattern

07 confirm & send


03 pattern / layers
TOLDO 2.0
height (h1): length (u1): width (v1):
3 m
4 m
3 m
ROOFTOP TOLDO
(no side fixed)
height (h2): length (u2): width (v2):
3 m
12 m
direction of bunching
4 m
3 m
sqm:
# curtains & position:
2
u1, u2
angles:
α:
β:
90 ° 90 °
δ:
(e.g. u1, u2)
90 °
VERANDA TOLDO
(one side fixed)
γ:
90 °
STREET TOLDO
(two sides fixed)
PATIO TOLDO
(three sides fixed)




COURTYARD TOLDO
(four sides fixed)

help
save
reset
gallery
North
Step 3: setting of Toldo typology
Various frameworks can be selected and define the structural parameters, which are responsible for the design of the Toldo.
Feedback tools:
climatic performance
solar energy gain
cost / financing
Total:
Qsolar = 6990 [ kWh/m d]
$ 40.00
2
+ 30.06
+ 31.25
+ 40 m
Month:
May


24
Single Layer
Ships: 6 business days
direction of bunching
Latitude: Longitude:
Elevation:
Add to Cart
Get it as los as $ 40.00 per
month with a Micro-Credit.
direction of bunching
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
www.toldos-online.com
design step by step
forming it
customizing cost/performance ratio
preview
01 location / orientation

02 proportion / typology

database
making it producable

ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
NEW toldodesign© freeware
product line:

04 kinetic system

3 m
3 m
06 fabrication pattern

07 confirm & send

ROOFTOP TOLDO
(no side fixed)
4 m
6 m
sqm:
# curtains & position:
2
u1, u2
angles:
α:
β:
90 ° 90 °
direction of bunching

4 m
6 m
height (h2): length (u2): width (v2):
24 m
05 elec. application

03 pattern / layers
TOLDO 2.0
height (h1): length (u1): width (v1):
δ:
(e.g. u1, u2)
90 °
VERANDA TOLDO
(one side fixed)
γ:
90 °
STREET TOLDO
(two sides fixed)
PATIO TOLDO
(three sides fixed)




COURTYARD TOLDO
(four sides fixed)

help
save
reset
gallery
rth
No
Step 4: adapting Toldo proportion
Having adjusted the Toldo’s dimensions, the surface area gives information about the possible solar energy gain.
Feedback tools:
climatic performance
solar energy gain
cost / financing
Qsolar = 6990 [ kWh/m d]
2
Latitude: Longitude:
Elevation:
+ 30.06
+ 31.25
+ 40 m
Month:
May


Single Layer
Total:
$ 60.00
Ships: 6 business days
Add to Cart
Get it as los as $ 40.00 per
month with a Micro-Credit.
25
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
www.toldos-online.com
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
NEW toldodesign© freeware
design step by step
pattern preview
01 location / orientation

02 proportion / typology

03 pattern / layers

04 kinetic system

05 elec. application

06 fabrication pattern

07 confirm & send

help
save
reset
gallery
forming it
customizing cost/performance ratio
making it producable
3d preview




Step 5: generating the pattern
The customer can modulate the textile geometry with high and low points and gets feedback through an animated 3d preview.
Feedback tools:
climatic performance
solar energy gain
cost / financing
Qsolar = 6990 [ kWh/m d]
2
Latitude: Longitude:
Elevation:
+ 30.06
+ 31.25
+ 40 m
Month:
May


26
Single Layer
Total:
$ 60.00
40.00
Ships: 6 business days
Add to Cart
Get it as los as $ 40.00 per
month with a Micro-Credit.
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
www.toldos-online.com
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
NEW toldodesign© freeware
pattern preview
design step by step
01 location / orientation

02 proportion / typology

03 pattern / layers

04 kinetic system

05 elec. application

06 fabrication pattern

07 confirm & send

help
save
reset
gallery
forming it
customizing cost/performance ratio
making it producable
3d preview




Step 6: uploading pattern
Once a pattern is finished, the customer uploads the design to a user-generated database and makes it available for others.
Feedback tools:
climatic performance
solar energy gain
cost / financing
Qsolar = 6990 [ kWh/m d]
2
Latitude: Longitude:
Elevation:
+ 30.06
+ 31.25
+ 40 m
Month:
May


Single Layer
Total:
$ 80.00
Ships: 6 business days
Add to Cart
Get it as los as $ 40.00 per
month with a Micro-Credit.
27
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
www.toldos-online.com
design step by step
forming it
kinetics preview
01 location / orientation

02 proportion / typology

03 pattern / layers

04 kinetic system

05 elec. application

06 fabrication pattern

07 confirm & send

customizing cost/performance ratio
database
making it producable

ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
NEW toldodesign© freeware
pulleys
hand pulley
micro motors
(-) 0.1-4 Watt
awning motor
(-) 10 Watt





help
save
reset
gallery
Step 7: specifying kinetic mechanism
To support the folding process, the Toldo can be driven by manual pulleys as well as by sensor activated electric motors.
Feedback tools:
climatic performance
solar energy gain
cost / financing
Qsolar = 6990 [ kWh/m d]
2
Latitude: Longitude:
Elevation:
+ 30.06
+ 31.25
+ 40 m
Month:
May


28
Single Layer
Total:
$ 100.00
Ships: 6 business days
Add to Cart
Get it as los as $ 40.00 per
month with a Micro-Credit.
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
www.toldos-online.com
design step by step
forming it
customizing cost/performance ratio
electronics preview
making it producable

ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
NEW toldodesign© freeware
application database
01 location / orientation

Global Solar - Sunlinq PV
02 proportion / typology

03 pattern / layers

04 kinetic system

05 elec. application

06 fabrication pattern

Power:
12 W
Operating voltage (Vmpp): 12 V
Operating current (lmpp): 800 mA
Unfolded dimensions: 740mm x 445 mm
Thickness: 0.8 mm
Temperature operating range: -40°C to +80°C
Weight: 320 g
Max Power to weight ratio (Watt/kg): 37.5
Degree of efficiency: 3.6%
07 confirm & send

(-)0.2 Watt
LED lamps
(-)3 Watt
WLAN router
(-) 1-30 Watt
cost: $ 165
www.globalsolar.com
Flexcell PV
(+) 7 Watt
SOLAR
WLAN
Powerfilm PV
(+) 15 Watt




SOLAR
Sunlinq PV
(+) 12 Watt
SOLAR
LED
LED
SOLAR¬POWERED
STREET¬LIGHTING

help
save
reset
gallery
Step 8: equipping the Toldo with solar cells
In this step design tool becomes the framework to drag and drop electronic applications like energy harvesting solar cells.
SOLAR
Feedback tools:
climatic performance
solar energy gain
Qsolar = 6990 [ kWh/m2d]
Latitude: Longitude:
Elevation:
+ 30.06
+ 31.25
+ 40 m
Month:
Q = 83 [ kW/d]
WLAN
SOLAR¬POWERED
7,!.¬HOTSPOT
cost / financing
Total:
$ 265.00
Ships: 6 business days
Q = CPV * Qsolar * APV * #PV
Q = 0.036 * 6990 Wh/m2d * 0.33 m2 * 1
Number of PV panels: 1
Sunlinq 12W

May


Double Layer
photovoltaic harvesting
Total:
Add to Cart
Get it as los as $ 40.00 per
month with a Micro-Credit.
29
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
www.toldos-online.com
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
NEW toldodesign© freeware
customizing cost/performance ratio
electronics preview
01 location / orientation

02 proportion / typology

03 pattern / layers

04 kinetic system

05 elec. application

06 fabrication pattern

07 confirm & send

making it producable

design step by step
forming it
application database
Air meter
0 Watt
Ultra-bright lights
Spacecannon - Ares
LEDs: Lumen:
Beam angle: 100°
Color:
Color temperature:
Power supply: Output:
Weigth:
3 x 1.0 W each
3 x 80 = 240 lm
Light sensor
(-)0.2 Watt
white
3000-8000 K
12 V
350 mA
200 g
LED lamps
(-)3 Watt
cost: $ 6
(http://www.spacecannon.it/)
WLAN router
(-) 1-30 Watt
LED
LED
SOLAR
LED
LED
Flexcell PV
(+) 7 Watt





help
save
reset
gallery
Powerfilm PV
(+) 15 Watt
Step 9: turning the Toldo into a lighting device
The harvested energy can power ultra-bright LED lamps in the night and recharge their batteries fully within the course of a day.
Feedback tools:
climatic performance
solar energy gain
Qsolar = 6990 [ kWh/m2d]
Latitude: Longitude:
Elevation:
+ 30.06
+ 31.25
+ 40 m
Month:
elec. demand
Total:
Q = 78 [ Wh/d] < 83
Q = CPV * Qsolar * APV * #PV
Q = 0.036 * 6990 Wh/m2d * 0.33 m2 * 1
Number of PV panels: 1
Number of lamps = 4
Qlamps = 4 * 3W = 12W
Operating time = 6h
Q = Qlamps * toperat = 12W * 6.5h= 78 Wh/d
cost / financing

Total:
$ 289.00
Ships: 6 business days
lamps only

Sunlinq 12W

May


30
Double Layer
photovoltaic harvesting
Total:
Q = 83 [ Wh/d]
Add to Cart
Get it as los as $ 40.00 per
month with a Micro-Credit.
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
www.toldos-online.com
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
NEW toldodesign© freeware
customizing cost/performance ratio
electronics preview
01 location / orientation

02 proportion / typology

03 pattern / layers

04 kinetic system

05 elec. application

06 fabrication pattern

07 confirm & send

making it producable

design step by step
forming it
application database
LED
Air meter
0 Watt
LED
LED
SOLAR
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
Light sensor
(-)0.2 Watt
LED
LED lamps
(-)3 Watt
LED
SOLAR
SOLAR
WLAN router
Output: 1.0 W
cost: $ 10
LED
LED
LED
WLAN router
(-) 1-30 Watt
LED
LED
Flexcell PV
(+) 7 Watt
WLAN
SOLAR
SOLAR
LED




LED
LED
LED

help
save
reset
gallery
LED
Powerfilm PV
(+) 15 Watt
Step 10: building up a self-sustaining electrical system
The solar cells can also provide communication hotspots by powering WLAN router for mobile phones and notebooks.
Feedback tools:
climatic performance
solar energy gain
Qsolar = 6990 [ kWh/m2d]
Latitude: Longitude:
Elevation:
+ 30.06
+ 31.25
+ 40 m
Month:
elec. demand
Total:
Q = 390 [ Wh/d] < 498
Q = CPV * Qsolar * APV * #PV
Q = 0.036 * 6990 Wh/m2d * 0.33 m2 * 6
Number of PV panels: 6
Number of lamps = 20
Qlamps = 20 * 3W = 60W
Operating time = 6.5h
Q = Qlamps * toperat = 60W * 6.5h= 390 Wh/d
cost / financing

Total:
$ 1045.00
Ships: 6 business days
lamps only

Sunlinq 12W

May


Double Layer
photovoltaic harvesting
Total:
Q = 498 [ Wh/d]
Add to Cart
Get it as los as $ 40.00 per
month with a Micro-Credit.
31
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
www.toldos-online.com
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
NEW toldodesign© freeware
lamp design preview
01 location / orientation

02 proportion / typology

03 pattern / layers

04 kinetic system

05 elec. application

06 fabrication pattern

07 confirm & send

help
save
reset
gallery
TRADITIONAL
customizing cost/performance ratio

design step by step
forming it
making it producable
refresh preview 




Step 11: preview of electrical applications
The online platform allows sub-contractors to advertise their by-products and show them already during the design process.
Feedback tools:
climatic performance
solar energy gain
photovoltaic harvesting
Qsolar = 6990 [ kWh/m d]
2
Latitude: Longitude:
Elevation:
+ 30.06
+ 31.25
+ 40 m
Month:
elec. demand
Total:
Q = 498 [ Wh/d]
Q = 390 [ Wh/d] < 498
Q = CPV * Qsolar * APV * #PV
Q = 0.036 * 6990 Wh/m2d * 0.33 m2 * 6
Number of PV panels: 6
Number of lamps = 20
Qlamps = 20 * 3W = 60W
Operating time = 6.5h
Q = Qlamps * toperat = 60W * 6.5h= 390 Wh/d
cost / financing

Total:
$ 1100.00
Ships: 6 business days
lamps only

Sunlinq 12W

May


32
Double Layer
Total:
Add to Cart
Get it as los as $ 40.00 per
month with a Micro-Credit.
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
www.toldos-online.com
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
NEW toldodesign© freeware
design step by step
customizing cost/performance ratio
fabrication preview
01 location / orientation

02 proportion / typology

03 pattern / layers

04 kinetic system

05 elec. application

06 fabrication pattern

07 confirm & send

help
save
reset
gallery
forming it
detail
making it producable
detail preview




Step 12: generating detailed solutions
The eyelet details are custom-fit to the chosen applications and inform the fabrication document for the craftsman.
Feedback tools:
climatic performance
solar energy gain
photovoltaic harvesting
Qsolar = 6990 [ kWh/m d]
2
Latitude: Longitude:
Elevation:
+ 30.06
+ 31.25
+ 40 m
Month:
elec. demand
Total:
Q = 498 [ Wh/d]
Q = 390 [ Wh/d] < 498
Q = CPV * Qsolar * APV * #PV
Q = 0.036 * 6990 Wh/m2d * 0.33 m2 * 6
Number of PV panels: 6
Number of lamps = 20
Qlamps = 20 * 3W = 60W
Operating time = 6.5h
Q = Qlamps * toperat = 60W * 6.5h= 390 Wh/d
cost / financing

Total:
$ 1200.00
Ships: 6 business days
lamps only

Sunlinq 12W

May


Double Layer
Total:
Add to Cart
Get it as los as $ 40.00 per
month with a Micro-Credit.
33
Business Model - Globalized Product & Local Color
The idea for the business model is partially inspired by the Ikea brand and their
internet-marketing. They offer the same systematized product line-up worldwide to
guarantee highest efficiency in their logistics. In their stores and on their website,
however, they created little niches for sub-contractors to offer their external goods
and use Ikea as a framework. For long the range of these products has nothing to
do with furniture any more, which was the main business of Ikea at the beginning.
Everything, which supports the image of the brand and has a ’Swedish’ flavor to it,
is allowed.
In the context of this thesis it is interesting to use this marketing strategy but readjust its goals. The digital customization tool has proven that the design of the
Toldo and its precise adaptation to customer demands can highly be systematized.
This makes the Toldo to a universal product with a range of design itterations. By Internet marketing, it can be ordered from everywhere, and be delivered to everyplace
in the world. In this process, local craftsmen like the tentmakers in Cairo would give
the Toldo a specific ‘local color’. Manufacturers and sub-contractors could do so from
other parts in the world. This local aspect, however, doesn’t have to be limited only to
aesthetical features but could also include highly sophisticated parts in the manufacturing process. Contributors could specialize on complex detail solutions, electronic
applications, or energy harvesting materials and promote their expertise worldwide.
At the end Adaptive Toldo SystemsTM would once more become an initiative, which
coordinates the communication among multiple partners, but this time not in an
academic surrounding but in the business world.
34
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
www.toldos-online.com
ADAPTIVE TOLDO SYSTEMS TM
NEW toldodesign© freeware
international sub-contractors
forming it
your designed Toldo
customizing cost/performance ratio
place order digitally
making it producable
assign local craftsman
Egyptian craftsman
regional style I
@
@
Moroccan craftsman
regional style II
Confirm
Chinese craftsman
regional style III
toldodesign
toldodesign
toldodesign
pattern
pattern
pattern
Send
send
send
send
per
per
per
mail
mail
mail
we succesfully recieved your order, thank you!
local
local
local
craftsman
craftsman
craftsman
35
Case Study I - Toldo for a Pigeon Coop
At first glace a Toldo for a pigeon coop might seem to be a bit odd. This case study,
however, arises from purely pragmatic considerations. The breeding of pigeons is
very common in Cairo. There are more then thousand pigeon fanciers only in the district of Old Cairo and sometimes they have multiple coops. Not only the scale of this
potential user group is interesting but also their specific difficulties, which they have
to encounter. One major problem in breeding pigeons is to deal with the extreme
weather conditions. Keeping of animals in this region means to protect them from
direct sun and resulting high temperatures during the day while providing warm
cages in very cold nights. The design of the pigeon coop itself is already responding
to these environmental constraints. Aside from hygiene reasons its aims to maximize the distance between the cages and the overheated thermal mass of the built
environment. With the coop being built out of wood, its own thermal mass is low
and thereby is hardly in danger to overheat. In addition, the coop uses its height to
exposed to cooling wind gusts.
Nevertheless, the heat and the cold are still major reasons for severe declines in the
pigeon stock. An upgrade with a primitive version of the Toldo could already provide
environmental protection by shading and cooling effects during the day as well as
solar powered heating during the night. Better climatic conditions would extent the
breeding season and would reduce the death rate of poults, which are particularly
affected by the cold night temperatures. The shown case study exemplifies these
ideas on a representative customer, whose financial situation doesn’t allow for a
high investments. With a total investment of 500$, out of which 300$ are subscribed
by micro-credit loans, he could purchase a customized Toldo-kit, which includes two
photovoltaic cells and five solar poultry heaters. With this set-up he would save one
third of his stock, which affects around 200 pigeons, the equivalent of 650$ per season.
36
A¬
Pigeons:
x 500
each: total:
$3
$ 1.500
B¬
Poults:
x 150
1/3 perish by cold
in the night
SOLAR
LED
LED
SOLAR
C¬
SOLAR
LED
POULTRY¬LAMP
HEATING
SOLAR
LED
POULTRY¬LAMP
HEATING
SOLAR
LED
POULTRY¬LAMP
HEATING
SOLAR
LED
POULTRY¬LAMP
HEATING
SOLAR
LED
POULTRY¬LAMP
HEATING
37
Case Study II - Street Toldo for Darb al-Ahmar
The idea of mounting Street Toldos in the Darb al-Ahmar neighborhood is closely
related to the traditional use of Toldos in Old Cairo. For thousands of years this architectural device can be found in this part of the city. It is very likely that their number
would increase by the expansion of their application range. Especially the new function of self-recharging street lighting could be a usable feature for main streets and
market places. The example to the right shows a Toldo set-up for the Darb Shoughlan
Street. Its dimensions are 4x9 meters and it is equipped with 18 ultra-bright LED
lamps. The six photovoltaic panels recharge the Toldo during the day and allow for
an operation time of nearly 8 hours in the night. This Toldo provides illumination in
the street for most of the night and would only be deactivated for three hours, in
which it is necessary to retract it and let the stored heat radiate to the sky.
Besides this rather pragmatic approach, this case study also explores the aesthetic
and spatial opportunities, which could emerge from the utilization of additional
digital design tools.
38
SOLAR
Bab al-Mahruq
LED
al-Azhar Park
LED
Darb Shoughlan School
AKTC Headquater
Ayyubid Wall
SOLAR
workshop
Aslam Mosque
retail
retail
POULTRY¬LAMP
HEATING
café
POULTRY¬LAMP
POULTRY¬LAMP
retail
HEATING
HEATING
POULTRY¬LAMP
HEATING
POULTRY¬LAMP
HEATING
retail
retail
retail
café
workshop
workshop
Aslam Square
SOLAR
SOLAR
SOLAR
LED
solar powered
street lighting
SOLAR
WLAN
SOLAR
WLAN
LED
solar powered
street lighting
solar powered
WLAN hotspot
SOLAR
LED
solar powered
WLAN hotspot
solar powered
street lighting
SOLAR
SOLAR
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
LED
SOLAR
SOLAR
SOLAR
Street lighting for Old Cairo
The frequently used Darb Shoughlan Street in Old Cairo is the perfect beacon project to demonstrate the Toldo’s new performance range
and in particularly its ability to provide self-sustaining street lighting during the night. Along the street are many workshops, retail stores
and cafés, which all could profit from a climatic micro-modulation through the Toldo. Their electronic demands, for example for lighting
and communication devices vary from each other and show the entire bandwidth of design possibilities. As is the rule in many Islamic cities,
all shop owners and inhabitants along the street have elected a local authority as representative, who could organize the ordering process
and act as the main customer for this project.
39
Adapting to various spatial constraints
These concept sketches show that the Toldo’s cross section and its geometric modulation could be used to address specific side
40 constraints and create various spatial configurations.
Parametric design tool to generate Toldo cross-sections
In order to give the customers the freedom to design all possible cross-sections and thereby find the one perfect geometry fitting to their
specific side constraints, an additional parametric tool was needed. In an interdisciplinary collaboration with the SMArchS student Adela
Kalenja, we developed a parametric model of a Toldo section in a software called Solid Works. This digital model was not fixed in its proportions; only the relationship of its design elements to each other was defined. Thereby, the length of a line or the position of a point was
still flexible and could glide along given rail curves, which where imported from in the top view-patterning tool. Moreover, the user of this
sectional tool can click on points and lines and drag them according to a preferred position, change the sack of multiple textile layers or vary
the distances between the lamps and the Toldo.
41
sect
ion 6
sect
ion
sect
ion
sec
tion
sec
5
4
3
tio
se
cti
on
n2
1
Multiple cross-sections inform parametric surfaces and define the sack of the fabric
Six cross-sections were generated with the parametric design tool and imported into the software “rhinoceros”. A scripted command is used
42 to moderate the sections and create multiple helper surfaces.
sec
tion
section
1
2
section 3
section 4
Helper surfaces show various spatial configurations
The color-coded helper surfaces already show the diversified spatial qualities of the Toldo. Concave and convex ceiling geometries invite for
centralized and peripheral habitations and activities under the Toldo.
43
Projecting of all construction points
All points necessary for the construction of the Toldo, are projected on the helper surfaces and thereby constraint in their three-dimensional
44 coordinates. Each textile layer has its own color-coding, which defines either hanging points, or low points of the textile.
Point-based design of the Toldo
This point-based design approach allows for a user-friendly degree of complexity by a manageable amout of geometrical data. In addition,
it also allows for an easy exchange among multiple other design tools.
45
Computer-aided generation of the cutting pattern
Bringing in the computer into the next step of the design process has the advantage that sophisticated calculations like the generation of
46 textile cutting patterns, can be automated and handle easily multiple Toldo layers.
Placing electronic devices on neuralgic spots
Various applications like lamps, could accentuate the spatial impression of the Toldo by lighting hotspots in the center or by directing the
attention to a shop entrance at the Toldo’s periphery.
47
Surface geometry allows for further functions
Having constructed this digital model in the described way draws the attention to the Toldo’s diverse surface geometry. In a next step the
48 rough-textured areas will also get an additional climatic function by fostering a ventilation effect.
Thermal driven micro-ventilation in between the textile layers
The already active cooling effect of the Toldo can be enhanced by allow for micro-ventilation in between multiple textile layers. The surface
geometry of the Toldo can thereby form little updraft chimneys to control the airflow.
49
Case Study III - Rooftop Toldo for the AKTC
The last case study wants to emphasize the new opportunities, which result from
transcending the Toldo from its traditional use to new areas of implementation. In
this scenario the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) asks for a Rooftop Toldo to be assembled on top of the Darb Shoughlan Community Center. This sets new challenging
problems, which can only be solved by introducing a new typology, which allows the
traditional Toldo to become a Rooftop Toldo. One difficuty for example is that the
roof dimensions are beyond the conventional structural spans which requires new
adjustments to extent these limits. Another problem is the exposed position on top
of a building with no shade whatsoever. This demands for an increased climatic performance of the Toldo. This example will show that the new systematic design and
fabrication tool can achieve the adaptation to both obstructive constraints.
If this case study meets all expectations, it could act as first of a series of beacon projects. Furthermore, it could raise once more the awareness for the use of Toldos, demonstrate an exquisite design, and make a looked-for space in the city inhabitable. All
in all this project would be a worthy kick-off for Adaptive Toldo SystemsTM in Cairo.
50
Images: AKTC (photo collage by the author)
Panoramic view over the Al-Azhar Park
Right next to the restored Ayyubid city wall and connected to the visitors’ circuit along the park, the proposed rooftop extensions of the
Darb Shoughlan Community Center could offer the perfect panoramic view over the cityscape of Cairo and the newly developed park.
51
3URFACE¬AND¬!IR¬4EMPERATURE¬
4EMPERATURE»#
closed: provides shadow, stores cool air of the night
2OOF¬3URFACE
UNSHADED
¬ª#¬
2OOF¬3URFACE
SHADED
!IR¬4EMP
OUTSIDE
!IR¬4EMP
INSIDE
#OMFORT¬ZONE¬
FOR¬#AIRO
»#
micro-ventilation
4IME¬OF¬DAY¬H
$ATA¬3OURCE
open: heat radiates to the sky.
thermal mass restores its capacity for heat storage
.ATURAL¬%NERGY¬AND¬6ERNACULAR¬!RCHITECTURE¬(ASSAN¬&ATHY
The binary system
of the toldo already reduces the heat loads a lot. Micro"AU"IONIK¬7ERNER¬.ACHTIGALL
climatic effects in multilayered membranes can enhance this performance
even more and can help moderating the temperature differences during
the day and the night.
Enhancing the climatic performance of the Toldo
Just by opening and closing the Toldo during the course of a day, it can reduce the surface temperature by around 30°C and the air temperature by around 10-15°C. In order to accommodate habitation on Cairo’s rooftops, however, it is necessary support the Toldo’s climatic
performance through additional cooling strategies. One of which could be a thermally driven micro-ventilation in between multiple textile
52 layers that increases the air change rate inside the enclosed space.
4HERMORESPONSIVE¬SPACER
&LEXIBLE¬PHOTOVOLTAIC¬PANELS
4HE¬SPACER¬WHICH¬HOLDS¬BOTH¬LAYERS
OF¬THE¬MEMBRANE¬IS¬MADE¬OF¬AN¬
AIRFILLED¬SPRING¬$URING¬THE¬DAY¬THE¬AIR
EXPANDS¬BECAUSE¬OF¬THE¬HEAT¬AND¬THUS
SHORTENS¬THE¬SPACERS¬LENGTH¬!S¬A¬RESULT¬THE¬
LAYERS¬WILL¬BROUGHT¬CLOSER¬TOGETHER¬AND¬THE¬
VENTURI¬EFFECT¬WILL¬INCREASE
"UOYANCY¬EFFECT
06¬PANELS¬HARVEST¬THE¬SOLAR
¬ENERGY¬AND¬POWER¬THE¬MOTORS¬OF
¬THE¬4OLDO¬AS¬WELL¬AS¬VARIOUS¬ELECT
¬APPLICATIONS¬LIKE¬,%$¬LIGHTS
ª¬
6ENTURI¬EFFECT
ª¬
06¬
2EDUCED¬CROSSSECTION¬BETWEEN
LAYERS¬INCREASES¬THE¬PRESSURE¬AND
THUS¬THE¬VELOCITY¬OF¬THE¬AIR
!¬SPOILER¬BLADE¬AT¬THE¬HIGH¬POINT
¬INCREASES¬THE¬UNDERPRESSURE¬AND
¬THE¬SUCTION¬OF¬THE¬HOT¬AIR
06¬
#ONDUCTION¬HEAT¬GAIN
INCREASES¬TEMPERATURE¬OF¬AIR
BENEATH¬SHADE¬AND¬BUOYANCY¬
INDUCES¬AIR¬MOVEMENT¬UPWARDS
,%$¬
#OLD¬AIR¬hPOOLv
,%$¬
2EDUCED¬LONG¬WAVE¬RADIATION
4OTAL¬TRANSMISSION¬
OF¬INCIDENT¬ENERGY
,%$¬
,OWE¬COATING
,%$¬
OUTER¬SKIN
INNER¬SKIN
4HE¬COMMONLY¬USED¬PARAPETS¬
FRAME¬A¬POOL¬IN¬WHICH¬THE¬COLD¬AIR¬OF¬
THE¬NIGHTTIME¬CAN¬BE¬STORED
,%$¬
/UTER¬SKIN¬OF¬06#COATED¬FABRIC
WITH¬A¬REFLECTION¬OF¬¬LOWERS
SURFACE¬TEMP¬ªª¬,OW%¬COATED
INNER¬LAYER¬GREATLY¬REDUCES¬THE¬INTERNAL
LEVEL¬OF¬INFRARED¬RADIATION¬AND¬HAS¬A
NOISE¬REDUCTION¬COEFFICIENT¬OF¬
-ODULATED¬THERMAL¬MASS
4HE¬4OLDO¬PREVENTS¬THE¬SPACE
UNDERNEATH¬FROM¬BEING¬OVERHEATED¬BY¬
THE¬SUN¬AND¬THUS¬ALLOWS¬THE¬CLIMATE¬TO¬BE¬
REGULATED¬4HE¬COOLING¬EFFECT¬THEREBY¬IS
ACHIEVED¬NOT¬ONLY¬BY¬SHADING¬BUT¬ALSO¬BY¬THE¬
THERMAL¬MASS¬WHICH¬ABSORBES¬HEAT¬LOADS¬DURING¬
DAYTIME¬)N¬ORDER¬TO¬RECHARGE¬THIS¬CAPACITY¬THE¬4OLDO
IS¬OPEN¬DURING¬NIGHTTIME¬TO¬ALLOW¬RADIATION¬TO¬THE¬SKY
ª¬
ª¬
Climatic concept for a Rooftop Toldo
The cooling effect of the Toldo is amplified by various secondary thermal effects, which allow for controlled regulation of the airflow. This
climatic concept is active when the Toldo is retracted and uses the sun as its driver. The higher the temperature difference is between the
inside and the outside space, the more efficient is the thermally driven micro-ventilation.
53
Using the design tool to generate the Toldo pattern.
The dimensions of the available rooftop require that the pattern serves two purposes. Firstly, it has to support the structure with many hanging points in the middle of the roof, where the field loads are the highest. Secondly, it has to provide many ventilation openings in the center
54 of the space to allow for optimal ventilation effects. The customized pattern combines both requirements into one design.
Applying electronic devices to the pattern
Besides the structural benefits, the generated pattern also provides a handy solution for the placement of the demanded electronic devices.
With both roof areas being transferred into seminar rooms and festival spaces, the customer asked for as many solar powered lamps as possible. (36 solar panels and 74 LED lamps each with 3 Watts)
55
Section A-A through rooftop toldo
Climatic concept is integrated into the proposed Rooftop Toldo
The presented sections of the Rooftop Toldo for the Darb Shoughlan Community Center show it in its extended condition and demonstrate
that the climatic concept is universal enough to be integrated into this design proposal. The double-layered side curtains of this Toldo have
a special functionality – they are not only regulating the airflow into the layers of the Toldo but can also provide windows on demand for
56 an optimal panorama view.
Section B-B through rooftop toldo
57
Assembly process 1 – columns
In the first step of the assembly process for the Rooftop Toldo it is needed to attach columns to the built environment. These columns are
58 simple but very efficient and can easily be manufactured and deployed by local craftsmen in Old Cairo.
Assembly process 2 - lightweight frame and rail cables
The erected columns are connected with a lightweight frame into which the rail cables of the Toldo can be mounted in. The frame consists
of a modular system and can easily be adapted in its proportions to fit other rooftop geometries.
59
Assembly process 3 – flexible photovoltaic panels
The lightweight frame acts as support structure for flexible photovoltaic panels. These can be mounted or replaced easily by snap-on attach60 ments, which also allow for belated upgrading of the Rooftop Toldo with solar panels.
Assembly process 4 – wiring of electronic devices
After the installation of the solar panels all demanded electronic devices like lamps and WLAN routers can be wired together. Even without
the textiles this system is already fully functional and could provide rooftop lighting and thereby extent the usable space of the building by
another story.
61
Structural concept
To achieve optimal structural integrity as well as highest bracing against wind suction and uplift, the Rooftop Toldo consists of two counter62 curved cable grids, which are permanently linked together by gliding trolleys.
Trolleys and lamps
The gliding trolleys are the only rigid part of the Toldo and act as the adapter for the LED lamps. The trolleys are designed in such a way that
it is easy to quickly clip the Toldo textiles onto the retractable cable grid structure.
63
Inner skin
The inner skin of the Toldo is attached to the lower cable grid. The textile cannot only be retracted horizontally like a traditional Toldo but
64 also vertically to offer windows on demand with a panoramic view over the cityscape of Cairo.
Outer skin
The outer skin offers the same curtain-like flexibility as the inner skin and thereby makes it possible to compartmentalize the space in between the two textile layers. To control the micro-climatic ventilation effect of the Toldo it is beneficial to be able to switch this intermediate
space either to the inside or the outside environment.
65
Gradient facade
The multilayered curtain façade gives the Rooftop Toldo the ability to constantly change its visual appearance and to adapt to environmental loads from all directions. The user can easily block sandy wind gusts from one side, filter unsavory glare from another, or just open the
66 building façade to a panoramic view.
Potential of the climatic buffer zone
Further research for this project should definitely focus on the potential of the intermediate space in between the two textile layers and test
out how its geometric modulation, its material choice, and its micro-perforation could possibly increase the environmental performance of
this climatic buffer zone.
67
Assembly process 5 - highly reflective inner skin
The inner skin of the Toldo consists of exquisite textiles of high quality. Furthermore, they can be ordered with traditional geometric pattern68 ing or other decorative motives. The high reflectivity of the fabric is enhancing the illumination effect of the lamps additionally.
Assembly process 6 - weather resistant outer skin
For the outer skin of the Toldo the traditional plain grayish-white textile is used. This cotton fabric has proofed its high reliability in many
textile applications in Cairo. Whereas modern textiles loose their higher performance over time, the traditional cotton provides longer-term
weather resistance for a relatively low price.
69
Illumination in the night
With the enhanced performance range, the Toldo becomes a light source in the night and can be used to host manifold events while making
70 an unused space availably in a city of constant shortage of spatial opportunities.
2.35
3%#4)/.¬""
3.35
3.35
3.50
3%#4)/.¬!!
2.65
9.75
3.50
3%#4)/.¬""
9.30
3%#4)/.¬!!
Top view of the Rooftop Toldo
The 36 photovoltaic panels provide 504 Watts, which is enough to power 74 ultra-bright LED lamps.
71
Event space during the night
With this newly accessible space the Darb Shoughlan Community Center can easily host festivals or any other form of social gatherings.
Furthermore, this space could be rented to local groups in the neighborhood and private costumers for short or long term use and thereby
72 create an additional income for the owner of the Rooftop Toldo.
Seminar rooms and conference space during the day
With its climatic performance and additional electronic applications the Toldo can provide even druing the day well-tempered seminar
rooms for education purposes or fully equipped conferences spaces with an exquisite view over the Al-Azhar Park and the skyline of Cairo.
73
Appendix - Informative Background Studies
This thesis aims to understand the traditional Toldo design and wants to transcend it
with the help of multi-disciplinary expertise and modern design tools. Therefore, it
was crucial to conceptualize digital techniques, whose simulation range is based on
actual physical textile studies. To get a keen sense for the behavior of fabrics and the
bandwidth of their possible geometric transformations, many structural and kinetic
models were built. Even though these experiments were done within the framework
of a student research, they successfully bridged multiple crafts and media. In the focus was the predictability of fabrics in the foldong process as well as the consciously
provoked unpredictability to test their fascinating capacity for geometric self-organization. Only after introducing a kit of surface manipulators, which all acted on
the fabric in different ways, was it possible to achieve comparable, multipliable, and
repeatable results. This approach became the set-up to evaluate various design iterations according to their aesthetic, structural, and kinetic performance. Furthermore,
this systematization clarified the needed design components and was directly transferable into the development of the digital software.
74
physical modeling
pattern study
reference study
“Toldos”
digital modeling
literature
tagging & mapping
sewing machine
Simulating new technological opportunities to reinvent the Toldo
Even though the thesis investigates this topic with the limited means, which are accessible to students, it tries to be as interdisciplinary as
possible by approaching it with wide variety of techniques and knowledge from traditional craftsmanship.
75
Coding geometrical transformation of textiles
Curtain tapes, as they are commonly used for decorative draperies, demonstrate how geometric information can be scripted into smaller ele76 ments, while spreading their transformation out over a larger area. These tapes are easy to produce and manageable in their processing.
Physical studies with curtain tapes
Various physical studies with curtain tapes revealed their potential to manipulate fabrics but also showed their limits in terms of scalability
and predictability of the geometric outcome.
77
Coding geometrical transformation into larger textile areas
This study model transfers the underlying principles of a curtain tape onto a larger area to inform its folding behavior in the bunching pro78 cess. It shows that even with a regular manipulation grid the outcome of its geometric transformation can be highly unpredictable.
Set-up for controlled surface manipulation
The first physical investigations informed the set-up of various surface manipulators. The geometric impact of rail cables, trolleys and weights
on the textile is repeatable, multipliable and traceable. On this basis, it is possible to map their behavior, evaluate their performance, and arrange them according to their use. As a result you can start to design patterns, which transform a textile membrane in a predictable way.
79
Frames for Toldo mock-ups
A series of identical frames allowed for multiple textiles and different patterns to be tested simultaneously under comparable conditions.
80 Applying the same input for geometric transformation makes the evaluation of the results comprehensible and their differences visible.
Bunching of fabrics
Using this set-up made it easy to bunch various textiles and to start understanding their behavior. Some patterns folded the textile for example into very regular shapes; others caused perturbing interferences, which counteracted the bunching process.
81
I morphological variations of patterns
(1st focus on single surface / parallel bunching)
a
c
b
streched condition
streched condition
streched condition
pattern layout
regular bunching
direction of movement / parallel bunching
direction of movement / parallel bunching
direction of movement / parallel bunching
regular bunching
streched condition
pattern layout
direction of movement / parallel bunching
pattern layout
pattern layout
d
regular bunching
regular bunching
layer 2
layer 1
high point
low point (weight)
ancor (fixed)
ancor (movable)
track cables
valley fold
mountain fold
high point
low point (weight)
ancor (fixed)
ancor (movable)
track cables
valley fold
mountain fold
irregular bunching
track cables
valley fold
mountain fold
high point
low point (weight)
ancor (fixed)
ancor (movable)
irregular bunching
track cables
valley fold
mountain fold
high point
low point (weight)
ancor (fixed)
ancor (movable)
irregular bunching
irregular bunching
bunching tests with physical model
bunching tests with physical model
bunching tests with physical model
bunching tests with physical model
OBSERVATIONS
OBSERVATIONS
OBSERVATIONS
OBSERVATIONS
Bunching:
very predictable folding pattern
little geometric interference
various conditions of difference and
heterogeneity possible
Bunching:
predictable folding pattern
some geometric interference
various conditions of difference and
heterogeneity possible
Bunching:
highly unpredictable folding pattern
high geometric interference
various conditions of difference and
heterogeneity possible
Bunching:
Shading:
various gradiance possible
Shading:
various gradiance possible
Shading:
various gradiance possible
Shading:
Ventilation: to be continued
Ventilation: to be continued
Ventilation: to be continued
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
very predictable folding pattern
little geometric interference
various conditions of difference and
heterogeneity possible
the double layer system allows various
degrees of shading
Ventilation: high potential for ventilation in between
the layers
CONCLUSION
Predictability:
+++
Predictability:
++
Predictability:
+
Predictability:
+++
Homogeneity:
++
Homogeneity:
+
Homogeneity:
+
Homogeneity:
++
Heterogeneity:
+
Heterogeneity:
++
Heterogeneity:
+++
Heterogeneity:
+
Shading
range:
+ transformations
possible
geometrical
Shading
range:
++ transformations
possible
geometrical
Shading
range:
+++ transformations
possible
geometrical
Shading
range:
+++ transformations
possible
geometrical
Complexity:
Complexity:
Complexity:
Complexity:
+
++
Masters Thesis
Department of Architecture and Planning
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Architectural Design
Kennedy & Voilich Architecture, Ltd.
Prof. Sheila Kennedy
+++
Smart Cities Group
MIT - Media Lab
Prof. William J. Mitchell
Akpia
+
Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture
Prof. Nasser Rabbat
Author
Simon Schleicher
MIT-ID: 929407795
Geometrical homogeneity and heterogeneity
This table is the first attempt to map the connection between two dimensional patterns and the folding behavior of their three dimensional
counterparts. Further research could provide additional information to what extent a crease pattern will show either a homogeneous or a
heterogeneous outcome. This would increase the predictability in the design process. As a result Toldos could have high regularity and an
82 undisturbed appearances or be highly complex with an aesthetically appealing surface texture.
streched condition
streched condition
streched condition
streched condition
regular bunching
regular bunching
regular bunching
regular bunching
di
di
di
di
layer 2
layer 1
high point
low point (weight)
ancor (fixed)
ancor (movable)
track cables
valley fold
mountain fold
bunching tests with physical model
possible geometrical transformations
high point
low point (weight)
ancor (fixed)
ancor (movable)
track cables
valley fold
mountain fold
bunching tests with physical model
possible geometrical transformations
high point
low point (weight)
ancor (fixed)
ancor (movable)
track cables
valley fold
mountain fold
bunching tests with physical model
possible geometrical transformations
high point
low point (weight)
ancor (fixed)
ancor (movable)
track cables
valley fold
mountain fold
bunching tests with physical model
possible geometrical transformations
streched condition
streched condition
streched condition
streched condition
regular bunching
regular bunching
regular bunching
regular bunching
irregular bunching
irregular bunching
irregular bunching
irregular bunching
OBSERVATIONS
OBSERVATIONS
OBSERVATIONS
OBSERVATIONS
Bunching:
Bunching:
Bunching:
Bunching:
very predictable folding pattern
little geometric interference
various conditions of difference and
heterogeneity possible
predictable folding pattern
some geometric interference
various conditions of difference and
heterogeneity possible
highly unpredictable folding pattern
high geometric interference
various conditions of difference and
heterogeneity possible
very predictable folding pattern
little geometric interference
various conditions of difference and
heterogeneity possible
83
84
Environmental responsive skins
The studies on geometrical transformation
of textiles and the potential of multilayered
fabrics led to research on environmental responsive skins, which could become part of a
PhD proposal and the next step in my study:
Today’s architectural membranes amaze with
their superior strength to weight ratio, which
allows for unseen implementations as lightweight building envelopes. These claddings
are, however, quite often limited to monofunctional materials with constant physical
behavior and defined constriction in use.
Further research could argue that inevitable
loads shouldn’t be seen only as perturbing
interferences to a façade. Moreover, environmental changes, internal forces, and individual utilization patterns could also become
potential design drivers and help to discover
novel cladding concepts. They would not
only redefine the appearance of our buildings but also significantly influence their
ecological footprint and energy demand.
A key contribution to this research could be
a systematical transformation of the textile
in its material make-up into a system of distributed sensors and actuators, which monitor and respond to the surrounding environment. Exposure to the sun for example could
trigger thermo-responsive fibers that can assume different shapes at different temperatures. As a result the anisotropic orientation,
the stiffness, or the permeability of the membrane would change. In a larger scale this
could equip a membrane or the entire Toldo
with the ability of solar tracing - a necessity
for applications like self-regulated shading,
micro-ventilation, or energy harvesting.
85
Detail studies on high and low points
The research of the Institute for Lightweight Structures has shown that it is very complex to embed high and low points into textiles, espe86 cially if they are loaded with additional weights. In order to hang lamps to the fabric it was needed to develop a system of details.
Mock-up of low point lamp
This lamp mock-up is attached to a low point in the textile and hangs on three cables for optimal stability. Two of the cables are conducting
and connected to an external energy source, which is representative for the solar panel.
87
Reflecting the light from the textile 1
One purpose of this mock-up was to build the lamp in such a way that the inner fabric layer could reflect the lighting to provide ambient
88 illumination for the space underneath.
Reflecting the light from the textile 2
The other purpose of this mock-up was to build the lamp in such a way that its lights is tilted slightly and thereby illuminate the space in
between the inner and the outer skin for a volumetric and spatial lighting effect.
89
Re-designing a lamp based on traditional ornaments 1
The lamp for a high point in the Toldo structures was designed based on traditional ornaments. One interesting precedent to inspire the
90 design were the beautiful lamps of the Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo.
Re-designing a lamp based on traditional ornaments 2
Traditional lamps were designed to carry candle lights and are mostly made out of glass. This new lamp however is illuminated only by a very
small ultra-bright LED light and can therefore have a much more filigree design. In order to do so, this lamp was completely printed in 3d.
91
Re-designing a lamp based on traditional ornaments 3
This concept sketch shows the lamp and its connection to a multi-layered Toldo. It is positioned in such a way that the surface geometry acts
92 as a reflector and mirrors the light for optimal ambient illumination.
Re-designing a lamp based on traditional ornaments 4
The mock-up revealed that by dimming the light, the textile reflector could also act as a display to show the projected shadow patterns of the
lamp. This gives the Toldo an additional atmospheric feature and allows for the re-integration of traditional ornaments into the design.
93
Bibliography
Aga Khan Development Network Brochure (2004): AKDN. Aga Khan Development
Network. Economic Development - Social Development - Culture. Lausanne.
Aga Khan Trust for Culture (2005): Al-Azhar Park, Cairo and the Revitalisation of Darb
Al-Ahmar. Project Brief: Geneva
Antoniou, J. (2004): Cairo’s Urban Growth and Its Impact on the Historic City. Revitalising a Historic Metropolis, Turin.
Bahamon A. (2004). The magic of tents. Transforming Space, Loft Publucations, New
York.
Braddock Clarke S. (2007). Techno textiles 2, Revolutionary fabrics for fashion and
design, Thames&Hudson, New York.
Brownell B. (2008). Transmaterial 2, A catalogue of materials that redefine our physical environment, Princeton Architectural Press, New York.
Brickwedde A. (2007). Bionik und Nachhaltigkeit, Lernen von der Natur, 12. Internationale Sommerakademie St. Marienthal. DBU.
Burke A. et al. (2007). Network practices, New strategies in architecture and design,
Princeton Architectural Press, New York.
Calvino I. (1972). Le città invisibili, Giulio Einaudi editore s.p.a., Turin.
Drew P. (1979). Tensile Architecture, Westview Press, Colorado.
Fathy H. (1986). Natural Energy and Vernacular Architecture. Principles and Examples
with Reference to Hot Arid Climates. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
94
Feneey J. (1986). Tentmakers of Cairo, Saudi Aramco World, pp. 16-25. Nov. edition.
Freney R. (2006). Pulse, The coming age of systems and machines inspired by living
nature, Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, New York.
Hausladen G. et al. (2006). ClimateSkin. Building-skin Concepts that Can Do More
with Less Energy. Callwey, Munich.
Hensel A. & Menges A. (2006). Morpho-Ecologies. Towards an Inclusive Discourse on
Heterogeneous Architecture. AA Publication. London.
Koch K-M. (2004). Membrane Structures. Innovative Buildings with Film and Fabric.
Prestel Verlag, Munich.
Melet E. et al. (2005). Rooftop Architecture. Building on an elevated surface, Nai
Publishers, Rotterdam.
Mitchell W. (2003). Me++, The Cyborg Self and the Network City, MIT Press, Cambridge.
Mitchell W. (1998). High Technology and Low-Income Communities, MIT Press, Cambridge.
Otto F. et al. (1972). IL 5. Convertible Roofs. University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart.
Otto F. et al. (1984). IL 7. Shadow in the desert.
Otto F. et al. (1975). IL 8. Nets in Nature and Technics.
Otto F. et al. (1975). IL 14. Adaptable Architecture.
Otto F. et al. (1976). IL 16. Tents.
Otto F. et al. (1987). IL 18. Forming Bubbles.
Otto F. et al. (1984). IL 30. Vela, Toldos, Sun&Shade.
Otto F. et al. (1983). IL 32. Lightweight in Architecture and Nature.
Otto F. et al. (1992). IL 39. Non-planned settlements.
Otto F. et al. (1992). IL 41. Building with Intelligence.
95
Otto F. et al. (1982). Natural Constructions. Formen und Konstruktionen in Natur und
Technik und ihre Prozesse ihrer Entstehung. DVA. Stuttgart.
Otto F. & Rasch B. (1995). Finding Forms. Auf dem Weg zu einer Baukunst des Minimalen. Edition Axel Menges. Deutscher Werkbund Bayern.
Pakhchyan S. (2008). Fashion Technology, A DIY intro to Smart Crafting, O’Reilly Media Inc., Sebastopol.
Rassmussen, R. (2007): Some live it up, Life on Cairo’s rooftops, Reuters article.
Sachs A. (2007). Nature Design, From inspiration to innovation, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Zürich.
Scheuermann R. et al. (1996). Tensile Architecture in the Urban Context, ButterworthHeinemann, Oxford.
Seilacher A. (1994). Informations by the SFB 230. Evolution of Natural Structures. pp.
303-307.
Sutton K. (2001). The rehabilitation of Old Cairo, Habitat International 26.
Waterbury, J. (1978): Egypt. Burdens of the Past/Options for the Future. Indiana.
Wolff C. (1996). The Art of Manipulating Fabric, Krause Publications, Wisconsin.
96
97