Ahmed Soliman
Ahmed Soliman is a PhD researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, specializing in innovative structures and computational design. His research, which focuses on deployable scissor structures and rigid plates, is conducted under the guidance of Niels De Temmerman, Tine Tysmans, and Lars De Laet, and is funded by the VUB Strategic Research Programme.
Ahmed's academic journey has taken him from Egypt to Belgium. He earned his Master of Science in Architectural Engineering from Bruface—a joint programme between Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)—in 2022, following his graduation as the top student in his class with a Bachelor of Engineering and Technology from Future University in Egypt.
Ahmed's professional experience includes roles as an architectural engineer intern at Konligo in Brussels, where he contributed to developing deployable bistable structure technology. He also worked as a teaching assistant for five years at multiple universities, including Future University in Egypt, Ain Shams University, and the American University in Cairo. In these roles, he assisted in teaching a broad range of subjects, from architectural design and building construction to environmental control and computational & parametric design. Additionally, Ahmed has experience as a freelance architect and interior designer, and has held various internships in architecture and site engineering across Egypt.
Projects
PhD research
A hybrid deployable system of integrated scissors grids and surface-active structures
The research aims to develop a deployable and reusable structural system that fosters the circularity of both structural elements and materials. This objective is pursued through the combination of the inherent deployability mechanisms found in scissor structures with the structural robustness of surface-active structures. The resultant hybrid system is envisioned to outperform widely used textile structures in terms of structural integrity, security, and durability while retaining the adaptability and construction ease associated with deployable scissor grids.
The possible solution should be versatile and could be optimized for a diverse array of applications, ranging from temporary shelters such as post-crisis relief structures, hospital pods, and markets, to more temporary constructions such as deployable scaffoldings tailored for shell structures. The research involves designing and prototyping structures specifically tailored for specific case studies across these diverse applications. In addition, additive manufacturing technology will be employed to create innovative joint hubs, crucial for seamless integration between deployable systems and surface-active structures. These novel joints are expected to enhance the functionality of scissor systems, unlocking a versatile library of geometric forms.
Master’s thesis
Bending-active plate components in configurable kit-of-parts systems
The research explores transformability within wooden kit-of-parts systems, Utilizing a parametric design process for bending-active double-layer components that exploit the elastic behavior of materials to enhance the stiffness of the modular component. The study is further extended to propose an alternative solution of a temporary system that can be assembled on site and can be reconfigured in various shapes and sizes using the same elements.
This study follows the thematic nature of the "ReciPlyDome" prototype, a kit-of-parts structure with double-layer beam components in reciprocal connections designed by the VUB architectural engineering team in collaboration with Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (KADK) in Copenhagen. It seeks to take the concept further by replacing beams with plate components. The design process was conducted through digital and physical models using Grasshopper, kiwi!3d, and Karamba3D for visual scripting, allowing for flexibility in reconfiguring and tailoring different types of components with various uses. The case study application of the system based on the truncated icosahedron solid was also demonstrated with the integration of an embedded shading system of tensioned fabric to provide either a medium or a fully sealed environment.