RESPONSIVE FACADES

FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY By: Ar. & Env Designer

M.Tariq

IN BUILDINGS
WHAT IS RESPONSIVE
ARCHITECTURE
Responsive architectures are those that measure actual environmental
conditions (via sensors) to enable buildings to adapt their form, shape, color
or character responsively (via actuators).
RESPONSIVE FACADES
Kinetic Façades are nothing but dynamic facades which change over
time, rather than being static. Façade elements can be programmed
to respond to climatic factors, to improve energy efficiency, to reduce
solar heat again, or for aesthetic reasons
WHY
Before the advent of HVAC systems and artificial lighting, climate –
not building style or appearance – was the major determinant of
building form. Comfort was achieved through passive means and
architectural features built into the design.
Since HVAC systems and artificial lighting were developed in the first
half of the 20th century, designers could pursue unrestricted designs
without making energy and comfort part of the architectural design.
These innovations started a design revolution. With the freedom to
approach the architectural design as a pure art form, the architects
created a design and then passed it on to the constructional and
HVAC designers to “fit” the equipment needed to achieve comfort.
The results were buildings that have high energy consumption for
heating, cooling and artificial lighting that are costly in operation and
have a significant effect on the environment.
ROLE
In a typical building façade we see it expose to sun throughout year
and other environmental events.
In kinetic or responsive facade system the building change its
character according to the need of the building and a result
minimizing energy.
EXAMPLES
Abu Dhabi's 25-story Al Bahr Towers stand at the eastern gateway to
the city, where they serve as headquarters for the Abu Dhabi
Investment Council (ADIC). The mercury can hit 120 degrees
Fahrenheit in the summer in the United Arab Emirates’ largest city
and capital, but Aedas Architects, working with Arup Engineers,
created an incredible mashrabiya façade that pays homage to
traditional Arabian architecture and design.
Each of the 1000 panels is connected to a linear actuator which
enables it to function in response to the position of the sun,
effectively reducing heat gain and glare by 50% while giving islamic
vernacular a contemporary representation.
AUTOMATION AND ADAPTATIONS
The shading screen is computer-controlled to respond to optimal
solar and light conditions. The mashrabiya shading devices are
grouped into sectors and are operated through sun tracking software
that controls the opening and closing sequence according to the
sun’s angle. Each shading device comprises a series of stretched PTFE
panels and is driven by a linear actuator.
The actuator is responsible for opening and closing once per day
based on a pre-programmed sequence to prevent direct solar
radiation.
RMIT'S DESIGN SCHOOL
In Melbourne, Sean Godsell Architects sheathed RMIT's design school
in thousands of small, glass circles—each affixed to a central rod.
Based on humidity and temperature inside the building, these rods
pivot automatically to facilitate (or block) the flow of air through the
facade.
A METAL MESH THAT REACTS TO HEAT

Sung's research deals with biomimetics, or how architecture can

mimic the human body. This sun shade was made with
thermobimetal—a material that's actually a laminate of two different
metals
That means that each side reacts differently to sunlight, expanding
and contracting at different rates—causing tension between the two
surfaces, and ultimately, a curling effect.
So when the surface gets hot, the thin panels on the shade curl up to
allow more air to pass through to the space below—and when it cools
down, it closes up again.
A FACADE THAT EATS SMOG

Back in 2011, the chemical company Alcoa unveiled a remarkable

technology that could clean the air around it. The material contained
titanium dioxide.
The hospital is cloaked in a 300-foot-long skin of Prosolve370e tiles,
developed by a German firm called Elegant Embellishments. The
technology is based on the same process
PREFAB BUILDINGS BY TEN FOLD
ENGINEERING BUILD THEMSELVES IN
EIGHT MINUTES
modular structures designed by Ten Fold Engineering, which can be
transported anywhere on a lorry and self-deployed at the touch of a
button
SHARIFI-HA HOUSE, IRAN
Swivelling pods allow the owners of this house in Tehran to adapt to
Iran's fluctuating temperatures by opening up rooms in summer, or
turning them inwards during winter.
ASSIGNMENT
Design a system that react with environment.
Options:
1. To design the front of any building that have the capacity to
change itself to give some response to the users.
2. Make a kinetic pavilion or sculpture which can be open and close
automatically through sensors.
Keywords: kinetic sculptures, dynamic building, kinetic architecture,
dynamic facades
IDEA