Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dynamic Façades and Computation: Towards an Inclusive Categorization of High Performance Kinetic Façade Systems

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Computer-Aided Architectural Design Futures. The Next City - New Technologies and the Future of the Built Environment (CAAD Futures 2015)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 527))

Abstract

This chapter provides a panorama of the current state of computationally controlled dynamic facades through a literature review and a survey of contemporary projects. This was completed with an underlyings interest in understanding how innovative design solutions with the capacity to ‘react to’ and/or ‘interact with’ the varying states of climatic conditions have been developed. An analysis of these projects was conducted, and led to the identification of tendencies, which were subsequently synthesized and articulated. While most classifications are limited to describing the movement or structure needed to achieve morphological transformation, an important recommendation is to also consider control as a determining factor. For this reason, the culmination of the investigation presented here is a proposal for a classification structure of dynamic facades, developed according to the functional modus operandi of each structure in terms of movement and control.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. 1.

    From the perspective described, however, we would still be covering a potentially enormous spectrum, as the possible number of configurations would be exponentially increased in the system by the particular behaviour of its component elements in time. We have narrowed our consideration towards computationally controlled facades where we see fertile ground for contemporary designers. We have also tried to be selective about how the kinetic façade is used and have developed a preference for examples that look to address environmental performance.

  2. 2.

    Following the logic of any artificial dynamic system as composed of sensor, control and actuator devices, in this study we would give most importance to the control component, firstly because ifs the are directly linked to computation, and secondly because is the least explored within the subject of kinetic facades.

References

  1. http://www.hoberman.com/insights.html

  2. Moloney, J.: Designing Kinetics for Architectural Facades: State Change. Routledge, Abingdon, Oxon [England], New York (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Kronenburg, R.: Flexible: Architecture that Responds to Change. Laurence King, London (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  4. http://www.c2es.org/technology/factsheet/BuildingEnvelope

  5. Kolarevic, B., Malkawi, A.: Performative Architecture: Beyond Instrumentality. Spon Press of the Taylor & Francis Group, New York (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Aksamija, A.: Sustainable Facades: Design Methods for High-performance Building Envelopes. Wiley, Hoboken (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Vassigh, S., Chandler, J.R.: Building Systems Integration for Enhanced Environmental Performance. J. Ross Publishing, Fort Lauderdale (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Keeler, M., Burke, B.: Fundamentals of Integrated Design for Sustainable Building. Wiley, New York (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Yudelson, J., Meyer, U.: The World’s Greenest Buildings: Promise versus Performance in Sustainable Design. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group, New York (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Maclay, W.: The New Net Zero: Leading-edge Design and Construction of Homes and Buildings for a Renewable Energy Future. Chelsea Green, White River Junction (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Voss, K., Musall, E.: Net Zero Energy Buildings. Detail Green Books, GmbH: DETAIL, Munich (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hensel, M.: Performance-oriented Architecture: Rethinking Architectural Design and the Built Environment. Wiley, Print. AD Primer, London (2013)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  13. Schumacher, M., Schaeffer, O., Vogt, M.: Move: Architecture in Motion – Dynamic Componenets and Elements. Birkhäuser, Berlin (2010)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  14. Escrig, F., Sanchez, J.: New Proposals for Transformable Architecture, Engineering and Design. Starbooks, Seville (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Stevenson, C.: Morphological principles of kinetic architectural structures. In: Adaptive Architecture Conference Proceedings, pp. 1–12 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Loonen, R.: Climate adaptive building shells: what can we simulate?. M.Sc. thesis, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Urquiza, R.: Parametric performative systems: designing a bioclimatic responsive skin. Int. J. Archit. Comput. 8(3), 279–300 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Rossi, D., Nagy, Z., Schlueter, A.: Adaptive distributed robotics for environmental performance, occupant comfort and architectural expression. Int. J. Archit. Comput. 10(3), 341–359 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. El Sheik, M.: Intelligent building skins: parametric-based algorithm for kinetic facades design and daylighting performance integration. A thesis presented to the Faculty of the USC School of Architecture, University of Southern California (2011). http://digitallibrary.usc.edu

  20. Thün, G., Velikov, K.: Responsive envelopes: bridging environmental response and human interaction. In: 8th Energy Forum Conference Proceedings, Advanced Building Skins, Bolzano, pp. 317–321 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Vollen, J.O., Winn, K.: Climate camouflage: advection based adaptive building envelopes. In: 8th Energy Forum Conference Proceedings, Advanced Building Skins, Bolzano, pp. 305–310 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Skavara, M.: Learning Emergence Adaptive Cellular Automata Façade Trained By Artificial Neural Networks, Graduation work at the MSc Adaptive Architecture & Computation. Bartlett, UCL London (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  23. http://www.adaptivebuildings.com/permea-surface.html

  24. Hoberman, C., Davis, M.: Panel assemblies for variable shading and ventilation. Chuck Hoberman, assignee, Patent US7584777, 8 Sept 2009 Print

    Google Scholar 

  25. Cilento, K.: Al bahar towers responsive facade - Aedas” 05 Sep 2012. ArchDaily. http://www.archdaily.com/?p=270592 (2015). Accessed 13 April 2015

  26. Sung, D.K.: Skin deep: making building skins breather with smart thermobimetals. In: 99th ACSA Annual Meeting Proceedings, Where Do You Stand, ACSA, pp. 145–52 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  27. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1325890/shapeshift_booklet.pdf

  28. Fox, M., Kemp, M.: Interactive Architecture. Princeton Architectural Press, New York (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Loonen, R., et al.: Climate Adaptive Building Shells: State-of-the-art and Future Challenges, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. Elsevier, Oxford (2013)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Nicolas Arias for the great effort in developing the diagrams that illustrate the functionality of the case study projects.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad Piloto de Colombia, Programme of Architecture, Bogota, Colombia

    Rodrigo Velasco, Aaron Paul Brakke & Diego Chavarro

  2. Frontis3d Facade Systems, Bogota, Colombia

    Rodrigo Velasco

Authors
  1. Rodrigo Velasco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Aaron Paul Brakke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Diego Chavarro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rodrigo Velasco .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Gabriela Celani

  2. University of São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil

    David Moreno Sperling

  3. University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Juarez Moara Santos Franco

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Velasco, R., Brakke, A.P., Chavarro, D. (2015). Dynamic Façades and Computation: Towards an Inclusive Categorization of High Performance Kinetic Façade Systems. In: Celani, G., Sperling, D., Franco, J. (eds) Computer-Aided Architectural Design Futures. The Next City - New Technologies and the Future of the Built Environment. CAAD Futures 2015. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 527. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-47386-3_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-47386-3_10

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-47385-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-47386-3

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation