When looking back in the history of architecture,
we realize that the architecture was primarily static, only ‘changing’ as the environment would
change and would affect the material of the façade in different ways. These interesting facades were
achieved through materiality or ornamentation, present in structures like Venice’s San Marco,
a mosaic of spiritual treasure and in the elaborate friezes of the Parthenon. Over time, as
technology progressed, the facades transformed as well. This paved the way for designers to develop
architecture that responds to environmental stimuli in more interesting ways than ever before.
Today, our cutting-edge technology offers dynamically transforming buildings from static
monoliths to ever moving surfaces. These moving facades are what is known as kinetic architecture.
The simple form of kinetic architecture such as the drawbridge on castles can be traced
back to the Middle Ages. But it wasn’t until the 20th century that architects truly began
to discuss the possibility for movement as a significant portion of buildings superstructure.
This is because the advancements in mechanics,
electronics, and robotics provided new horizons to be explored and innovated.
Aedas Architects’ Al Bahar Towers in Abu Dhabi mediate between aesthetics and utility,
pushing stunning visuals alongside environmental protection. The façade’s umbrella-like panels
are not only aesthetically pleasing but they are inspired by traditional Islamic shading systems,
respecting the cultural heritage as well. These star-like panels open
and close in response to the sun’s movement, protecting building users from heat and glare,
decreasing the need for air-conditioning, and making the building more sustainable.
Ernst Giselbrecht + Partner’s Kiefer Technic Showroom in Austria uses kinetic facades to
mediate temperature as well. This design features 112 large metal tiles that morph
throughout the day to create optimal shading conditions. Users can control these conditions
from within the building, adapting the façade to match their preferences exactly.
Enric Ruiz Geli’s Media-TIC office building in Barcelona,
Spain similarly features screen-like inflatable (Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) ETFE cushions
that open in the winter to gather solar energy and closes during summer to provide shade. This
façade transforms at different points in the year to respond effectively to environmental stimuli.
Another example of kinetic architecture can be seen by Alireza Taghaboni’s Sharifi-ha House in
Tehran. This design features three rooms that can rotate 90 degrees via motorized turning mechanism.
During summer, these turning volumes open views and external terraces
and return back into the structure during winter to restraint the heat flow.
One Ocean Thematic Pavilion in Yeosu, South Korea is largely known for its fish-like
characteristics created by a cutting-edge façade system that is made-up of glass fiber
reinforced polymers (GFRP) capable of being morphed into a number of animated patterns.
Constructed for the 2012 Expo, the building façade integrates moving lamellas within the
building skin. Which was inspired by a research project at the ITKE University Stuttgart
that investigates how biological moving mechanism can be applied in an architectural scale.
The Fosun Foundation is a cultural center in the Bund Finance center located in Shanghai.
It is a joint project between Heatherwick Studio and Foster+Partners. The façade is a veil
organised along three tracks and made up of layers of 675 individual magnesium alloy
‘tassels.’ These bamboo-like tassels are covered with stainless steel sleeves which are decorated
with patterns resembling Chinese weaving, ropes, and knots. Because they are layered,
they create a semi-transparent screen. The veil rotates with the tassels overlapping
and producing different visual effects and levels of opacity.
Now, light and temperature aren’t the only environmental factors that kinetic facades
can respond to. NORR’s designers collaborated with Ned Khan for the Oxford Street Debenhams
Store located in London, United Kingdom to create of a stunning kinetic façade. Similarly, Urban
Art Projects also collaborated with Ned Khan in developing the Brisbane Domestic Terminal Carpark
located in Brisbane, Australia. Both structures boasted aluminum shingles that rippled in response
to wind currents, providing shade and rain protection in addition to the aesthetic effect.
Moreover, some kinetic architecture focus on the aesthetics, prioritizing beauty over
the regulation of light, temperature, or rain. UNStudio’s Galleria Centercity located in Cheonan,
South Korea leans towards computer generated animations and illumination technology. Gentle
waves of colored light illuminate the surface making the entire building appear to be moving.
Now these were some examples of modern kinetic buildings that allows parts of the
structure to move, without reducing overall structural integrity. As the advancement in
technology continues to increase, who knows what kind of innovated kinetic buildings
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