Proposing a novel kinetic skin for building facades using scissor-like-element structures

Abstract

In recent years, kinetic facades have emerged as a suitable alternative for building skins that meet the demands for comfort factors of inside and outside environment and aesthetic criteria. This paper demonstrates a novel transformable geometric pattern inspired by Persian Architecture that provides an environmentally protective yet aesthetically pleasing building skin. This novel skin that is used for building facades is composed of geometric modular units mainly consisting of two kinds of scissor-like element (SLE): simple scissor-like elements and modified scissor-like elements which are linked together by movable joints. These units can be connected together to create a transformable system attached to the existing or new buildings or be used for a particular part of a building. This paper presents a research-based design project using a rarely used SLE system for transformable building facade. In this methodology, in the first stage, a library study was used to find, categorize and evaluate the transformable building skins using SLE systems. In the second stage, an experimental study was carried out to evaluate the best movement strategies for SLE units that employ the most efficient activation and driving system for the proposed geometry. In the final stage through physical and digital model making process, the alternatives derived from the previous stage were analyzed and the best transformation strategies that best suit the selected design was chosen. The result of this paper is a proposal for a transformable grid of SLE systems that can be attached to existing or new building façade and is not only able to control the environmental condition of the building, but it can also change its appearance during a course of a day. The transformation mechanism used in this design is a combination of two types of scissor structure employing pivotal and rotary movement supported on the tracks provided on the building façade.