KINETIC ARCHITECTURE

Architecture In Motion

Research paper by Anushka Saxena, 4B

synopsis :
In the midst of a scorching desert sun stand the twin buildings in Abu Dhabi -
contemporary, sustainable, culturally significant and following the 'tradition'. The
concept was to not allow direct sun on the skin of the building to cause
overheating and glare which led to a responsive facade inspired by traditional
Islamic lattice known as mashrabiya and origami. kinetic elements are
programmed to reduce solar gain and glare , keep the building cool without
blocking the view or the sunlight. The kinetic saves the artificial lighting and 50% of
the air conditioning. Thus, the architecture in motion here is just not a spectacle.

Aim/objectives :
• To understand kinetic architecture and propose a conceptual framework for
kinetic classification, design strategies and mechanisms.
• Functional aspect of the kinetic systems response to environmental
Conditions.
• Explore their potential for architectural applications.

This paper performs a framework of design strategies and mechanism of kinetic

elements. The paper demonstrates how the process of designing kinetic
architecture and can effectively predict the challenges and problems faced
before the actual kinetic systems are constructed and installed in the buildings.
With keen interest in aesthetics and psyche of the built; functionality of the kinetics
would be emphasised. Further, a deduction of potential functions of the kinetic
power in architecture and potential applications in India would be presented.
Scope :
Recently, over a period of time, architecture has been very static. With advances
in developments in the field of mechanics, electronics and robots ; architecture
could be focused towards building kinetic technology. The drastic changes in
weather also raise a great necessity for kinetic buildings which changes itself
according to the changing climatic conditions.
RESEARCH STRUCTURE
The research consists of five main parts in addition to both an introduction and a
section for conclusions and recommendations as follows:
• Chapter One: What is Kinetic Architecture? reviewing the history of involving
kinetics in the architecture .
• Chapter Two: Kinetic Design Key Elements: The aim of this chapter is to cover the
mechanical and technological principals which are mentioned and explained in
order to go through kinetic design.
•Chapter Three: Design Methods and Tools.
• Chapter Four: Kinetic Buildings' Analysis (Case studies) : analysis different kinetic
projects and explain how those projects achieved different mechanical and
technological principals and their functions and applications.
The evaluating criteria include the following:
a. Kinetics in the building:
Kinetic elements.
Reason for motion.
b. Kinetic design key elements which are presented by:
Structural system.
Used materials.
Embedded computation / control mechanism.
Adaptive architecture.
c. Building quality:
Indoor environment quality.
Building visual quality

• Chapter five : A review of potential applications of kinetic architecture in India.

• Conclusions & Recommendations : In this section, the researcher attempts to

correlate the concluded facts aiming to improve and enhance the quality of the
architectural product.