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KINETIC ARCHITECTURE AND MATERIALS TO CREATE AN ENERGY EFFICIENT

BUILDING Design potential in Dubai, U.A.E

Thesis · April 2020

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 KINETIC ARCHITECTURE AND MATERIALS
TO CREATE AN ENERGY EFFICIENT
BUILDING
Design potential in Dubai, U.A.E

Haniya Ashfaque

Bachelor of Architecture

Course code: ARC-14-405

Course title: Thesis I

A Thesis submitted to the School of Design & Architecture in partial fulfillment of

the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Architecture

MANIPAL ACADEMY OF HIGHER EDUCATION, DUBAI CAMPUS

SCHOOL OF DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE
2019-2020

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 Chapter 1
1.1 Introduction
“Adaptation is the evolutionary process whereby a population becomes better
suited to its habitat. This process takes place over many generations and is
one of the basic phenomena of biology.”
– On the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin

The world, human minds, science, technology and designs are ever evolving with time.
Architecture is not just design; it is a mix of science, technology and design. In today’s
day and time, we have a great potential to combine these and gain incredible results.
The technological advancements have made it possible to engineer materials that help
us meet various design needs. These materials, known as “smart materials”, can be
programmed to help create a responsive building. Responsive buildings are an evolving
field which uses cutting edge technology to measure surrounding environment conditions
and adapt by changing shape, color or character. We need to not only focus on
aesthetics or any one factor but try to include building and energy efficiency and user
comfort as well. Sustainability is a necessity and we should try to incorporate it as best
as possible with design.

Mainly looking at how natural energy can be modulated to bring in a stronger connection
between indoors and outdoors. When designers incorporate motion or the feeling of
motion within a design, they give the occupants a whole different experience and a new
dimension to interact with their surrounding space. These types of buildings also reflect
the technological conditions and advancement in our time and help us achieve a variety
of design possibilities.

This research will entrust the importance of the major concepts of kinetic architecture
using smart materials and its potential application to be considered in the present urban
scenario.

1.2 Aim
To explore the fundamental components of Kinetic Architecture and sustainable
materials to achieve a productive and efficient building in the context of Dubai with the
prospect to promote the use of kinetics for user comfort, energy efficiency and
sustainability.

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1.3 Objectives
 To contextualize the inspiration and invention of kinetic elements in architectural
history
 To analyze application of kinetic elements in existing buildings
 To identify the sustainable aspect of kinetic architecture
 To define the scope kinetic architecture presents in the context of the region of
Dubai
 To develop a framework or strategies to design a sustainable system with kinetic
elements that can modify and conform for a mixed typology in a suitable location
in Dubai, U.A.E

1.4 Research Context

Architecture can be enhanced by integrating kinetics with various smart materials to
make the building respond better to the needs and enhance the experience of its
inhabitants. “By incorporating motion into architecture, designers give occupants another
dimension by which to interact with their surroundings. When done properly, kinetic
architecture can inspire, surprise and even touch the soul.”(Razaz, 2010). This research
will investigate how kinetic architecture can be applied to structures and why. The
applications of kinetic solutions are ever growing; implemented for reasons such as
functional, environmental performance, spatial effect, social interaction and new
aesthetics.(Cudzik & Nyka, 2017) Kinetic design with sustainability in mind can create
opportunities to design creative buildings with a better building efficiency. We can employ
kinetic architecture to make ordinary spaces a different experience. “These systems are
applied due to their transition to portray and shift either, through specific forms or
materials to plan new interactive inhabited spaces. Lately, there has been a growing
interest in kinetic design and intelligent mechanical frameworks due to their consistent
sustainment to carry out their functions and its constituents in a sustainable way.” (M.
Youssef, 2017)

1.5 Typology
This study will investigate how we can apply adaptive kinetic solutions with a mixed-use
typology while integrating the use of smart materials to make the building efficient and
sustainable while ensuring to provide the best comfort and experience to its inhabitants.

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 2.6 Summary
 The term "Kinetic Architecture" can be explained as buildings or building parts that act
in response to surrounding changes whether these changes are in/outdoors as well as
environmental/human. (S. Fouad, 2012)
 Kinetics has been evolving since a long time now in different form, intelligent architecture,
interactive architecture, responsive architecture and adaptive architecture. With the use
of computation and kinetics concepts adaption of a space to the users need and
environment can be achieved.
 The choice, form, and proportions of materials can impact the movement. The more
flexible, lightweight materials are used, modulation flexibility increased and the link
between the structural elements increases and continues which gives the opportunity to
create sophisticated applications for the dynamic equilibrium. Using properties of smart
materials, we can create more efficient kinetic systems.
 These considerations in kinetics along with its types and other elements allows to
passively or actively control or regulate the environment of a space. This is smart
architecture and it promotes sustainability and building efficiency.
 Kinetics is divided into two categories: pragmatic and humanistic. On one hand,
pragmatic applications concerned with solving problems, optimizing solutions, and
implying space efficiency, shelter, security, transportation, safety, and economics. On
the other hand, humanistic are concerned with the physical and psychological effect of
the architectural environments' changes upon their users.(Fox & Kemp, 2009)
Kinetic trends in architectural environments currently address pragmatic or humanistic
conditions or even both, and are divided into four categories (S. Fouad, 2012):
i. Spatial optimization systems
ii. Multi-function design
iii. Contextual adaptability
iv. Mobility
 Kinetic systems can have various applications but mainly kinetic structure systems,
interiors and kinetic facades. Kinetic structure systems are defined as buildings and/or
building components with variable mobility, location and/or geometry. The performance
ways of a kinetic structural solution can be folding, sliding, expanding, and transforming
in both size and shape. On the other hand, the performance means of a kinetic structural
solution may be pneumatic, chemical, magnetic, natural or mechanical (Nashaat &
Waseef, 2018) Kinetic interiors is applied on multi-use furniture and flexible spaces to

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make our living and working spaces dynamic with our changing needs. Kinetic walls
respond to our movements and actions which can have a variety of applications like
energy generation from movement.

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3.1.3 Inference:
Kinetic architecture is a term that not everyone is familiar with, but people have come
across such elements and buildings incorporating kinetics and it is not unknown. Kinetic
is a combination of moving elements and smart architecture that can use natural
renewable sources of energy to work on. Kinetic architecture can be architecture with
building components that move as per the design requirements.
From the surveys we gather that the most important thing for a user in a space is
temperature comfort and lighting. Movement and function of the elements in a building
is the most important aspect one must look at while designing and then comes user
comfort, as one lead to another.
The function on the element can vary and must look at the environment and achieve
user comfort by its execution. The Al Bahar tower in Abu Dhabi is situated in a hot desert
climate with a lot of sunlight that can make indoor workspaces uncomfortable. To reduce
this impact the architects have created a façade that can open and close according to
suns path through the year while allowing for light to enter and not hindering views. All
this is done by using photovoltaic cells to generate at least a part of the energy needed
and to meet other needs in the building. This not only benefits the users but also the
environment. The other example is the RMIT design school in Melbourne, which is in a
temperate ocean climate, not too cool and not too hot. This building with its double
façade shades the building interiors and allows for appropriate and comfortable wind
movement through the structure by its operable second skin. This too uses photovoltaic
cells that can be easily upgraded as technology advances.

Figure 41.Al Bahar tower sketch. Source:Author Figure 42. Other kinetic elements. Source: Author

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Looking into sustainability, when kinetic architecture caters to the need of the
environmental comfort of the user it can become sustainable. Sustainability has a lot of
components which should be thought about to achieve this in a right manner. Look at all
the parameters of sustainability and user comfort individually to see the efficiency of what
we can do. Material selection is extremely important, and its every aspect has a major
impact on the building and users. Appropriate materials would allow for proper
movement and maintenance of the kinetic building components. Understanding material
science along with the technology to be used is extremely important right from the start.
Kinetic elements integrated into a building can be made cost effective by selecting
materials and techniques to manufacture, install and run better. There can be greater
benefits it can provide in the long run of the building. Almost all building types can be
integrated with kinetic elements, but people tend to connect it with more of commercial
and mixed-use building types where it could be noticed and experienced by a lot of
people.

All small things matter and a right now the economy plays a major role. To achieve
sustainability one can, play with the design and look into simple things to make it efficient.
Kinetic architecture is more than just moving parts, it comes in the shape of the building,
the environment manipulation through various material selections and the way we can
allow people to move in a space and make them feel comfortable doing so. Sustainability
should be kept in mind while doing everything to achieve a sustainable and efficient
design in the end. Creating a design that invites and intrigues people to come close to
view and experience it will allow awareness on this topic to be created.

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 Chapter 5: Conclusion
Kinetic architecture is more than just moving elements. It can be described a structure
or building parts that can adapt to changes that occur in our surrounding environments.
It is also where you are causing people to move in a certain way based on the usage of
the building. It not only adds to the aesthetic of the building but also helps improve
building efficiency and functionality while keeping the environment in perspective.
The first key element in kinetic design – structural innovation and materials advancement
– represents the building and building parts, while the second key element – embedded
computation – allows building to detect change and act according to it, thus creating
environments that are able to adapt and interact representing the third key element which
is adaptable architecture.(S. Fouad, 2012)

There is an increasing demand for developing more adaptable, flexible and

transformable structures. With technologic advancements it is possible to produce such
structures and spaces. These structures can meet different functions and help reduce
waste and pollution and save cost and time. To make a structure dynamic large parts of
the building need not move, movements of small parts can achieve this concept. The
use of material is very important to make a structure and design successful and work to
its true potential. The new development of smart materials and eco-kinetic architecture
combined can help make kinetic structures simpler and easier to make to an extent.
Kinetic systems can be controlled in various ways, from manual control to automated
control systems. All this is possible with connection of systems to sensors which can give
information preprogrammed settings and alter according to the changing environments.
These changes can also be put into motion manually. They can also be used for solutions
ranging from smaller indoor elements like multiuse furniture to larger elements like walls
and ceilings.

Any structure or design made should be made with a purpose and focus. This way it can
achieve the ideas it was thought for in the beginning, to create a dynamic space that can
change to a user’s need and their environments. This will also help it achieve sustainable
principles it is designed for. Initially though it can be a little costly, in the long run it has
great benefits and reduce building costs. Kinetic architecture strengthens the user’s
connectivity and interaction with their surroundings by using such dynamic spaces.

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