WATERFALL PAVILION

Alexandria University - Faculty of Fine Arts

Eman Mounir

Project idea

"Wake-Flow" is a design intervention that seeks to capture the ephemeral beauty of a boat’s wake and solidify it into an immersive architectural experience. By analyzing the fluid dynamics of water displaced by a moving vessel, the pavilion translates these invisible forces into a physical, parametric structure that organizes public space through rhythmic geometry.
The project is rooted in the concept of "Frozen Kineticism." When a boat moves, it leaves behind a V-shaped pattern of waves—a trajectory of energy radiating outward. This project freezes that fleeting moment in time. The pavilion’s structural ribs are arrayed in a radial, expanding sequence, mimicking the crests and troughs of a wake. The design does not just mimic a wave; it maps the energy of a boat’s path to create a functional, shaded environment that draws the user toward the water's edge.

Project description

The Waterwaves Pavilion is a parametric architectural installation designed to serve as a high-end, iconic landmark within Egypt’s luxury coastal developments, such as Ras El Hekma. The project functions as a bridge between the fluid, dynamic nature of the sea and the precision of modern digital fabrication.
The project is rooted in the concept of "Frozen Kineticism." When a boat moves, it leaves behind a V-shaped pattern of waves—a trajectory of energy radiating outward. This project freezes that fleeting moment in time. The pavilion’s structural ribs are arrayed in a radial, expanding sequence, mimicking the crests and troughs of a wake. The design does not just mimic a wave; it maps the energy of a boat’s path to create a functional, shaded environment that draws the user toward the water's edge.

Technical information

Technical Specifications: Waterwaves Pavilion
Parametric Design: Form-finding via Rhino/Grasshopper algorithms optimizes structural geometry and rib distribution.

Structural Integrity: Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using Karamba3D ensures resistance to lateral wind and coastal loads.

Modular Logic: The design utilizes a non-repeating, modular space-frame system for rapid, off-site prefabrication.

Marine-Grade Material: Primary structure consists of 316L stainless steel, chosen for high-chloride, corrosion-resistant performance.

Digital Fabrication: High-precision CNC-milling and 3D printing enable mass customization of unique, fluid-curved rib segments.

Foundation System: Radial, load-bearing concrete foundations provide a rigid, stable anchoring point for the lightweight superstructure.

Surface Treatment: All components undergo electropolishing and passivation to maximize the structure's lifespan in saline environments.

Integrated Lighting: IP68-rated, low-energy LED strips are flush-mounted into rib edges to highlight geometry without light pollution.

Assembly Efficiency: Dry-assembly interlocking nodes minimize the need for on-site welding, reducing construction time and site impact.

Thermal Control: Variable rib spacing is calculated to provide optimized passive shading, ensuring climate-responsive comfort for occupants.