B. Arch. 9th Sem.

Dissertation (July-Dec 2018)

DEENBANDHU CHHOTU RAM UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

MURTHAL (SONEPAT).

Department of Architecture
Faculty of Architecture, Urban & Town Planning.

KINETIC, RESPONSIVE AND ADAPTIVE: A

COMPLEX ADAPTIVE APPROACH TO SMART
ARCHITECTURE.

ANKIT SINGH
14001006029
(B.Arch. – Sem 9)

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 B. Arch. 9th Sem. Dissertation (July-Dec 2018)

Dec 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.) Chapter 1 - Introduction

1. Kinetic, Adaptive & Responsive architecture.

1.1. Problem Statement

1.2. Aim

1.3. Objective

1.4. Validity of The Project

1.5. Scope & Limitations

1.6. Proposed Methodology

1.7. Prototype Identification

1.8. Bibliography

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1. INTRODUCTION
Smart architecture is fast becoming a buzzword in architecture and related
disciplines. However, it is not entirely clear what constitutes smart architecture and
how relates to or differs from such closely related camps as responsive architecture,
performative architecture, kinetic architecture, and adaptive architecture. This paper
poses the essential and critical questions about smart architecture from a complex-
adaptive systems point of view. The paper also illustrates the attributes of smart
architecture with a number of seemingly disparate, yet conceptually connected
design developments.
 Kinetic, Adaptive & Responsive architecture is a system which changes its
structure, behaviour or resources according to demand.
 The Buildings that are designed in recent times also need to adaptive in order
to survive the changing conditions of the environment, humans, activities etc.
The energy crisis that we are facing in predominantly due to the fact of that
our buildings are not adaptive in nature.
 Technology has played a vital role in the development of architecture and
developing adaptable buildings. As of now, we have looked at this process in
our buildings in a very broad and general sense, generated based on the
activities, context, users etc. The type which has not been considered so far is
the form wise adaptation, where the building itself transforms in its structure
in order to accommodate the changing external conditions.
 This research paper deals with transformable and kinetic structures as an
adaptive & responsive form of architecture. Transformable structures have
always existed in the past, but these structures were not termed as such or the
technology was not well developed in order to execute these and hence they
remained in the conceptual stage. The dissertation explores the different
types of transformable structures and studies the components involved in it.
The architect must have a basic knowledge about the working of such
structures in order to be able to design and execute them.
 Sustainability is a major factor that architects consider in their designs.
Transformable & kinetic Structures are also sustainable in nature as they can
adapt to the changing needs in contrast to the rigid and static architecture.
Transformable structures are being developed and accepted in the current

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times due to all these factors apart from their efficient functioning. These
factors put together give credibility to these structures being the possible
future of architecture.

1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT

 Some of the strategies to make the building flexible in terms of sustainability relate
to building orientation and location, building envelope-insulation and materials -
shading devices, openings, etc.
 The heat and the light from the sun can be controlled with external and internal
shading or integrated overhang.
 The location of the building is creating the fundamental design parameters for
exploiting the natural resources of wind and sun.
 Kinetic buildings- modular, light, transformable, adaptive- can have a big part to
play when it comes to respond the never steady environment we live in: It is not
Static, rather, it is movable, and it is flexible, “it is a sustainable product.”
 Does a design have the ability that how with facades, material, techniques,
technology and concepts a building can be made to ADAPTIVE & RESPONSIVE?

1.2 AIM

 Kinetic, Adaptive & Responsive architectures aim to refine and extend the
discipline of architecture by improving the energy performance of buildings with
responsive technologies (sensors / control systems / actuators) while also producing
buildings that reflect the cultural, technological and environmental conditions of our
time.
 The aim is to study how the buildings could be flexible to adapt to the changes
happening in the surrounding environment in order to make it sustainable and also
providing a comfortable shelter for the people.

1.3 OBJECTIVE
 Kinetic, adaptive & responsive Architecture in terms of sustainability produces
buildings that adapt to changes happening to the surrounding environment in order
to make it sustainable and also providing a comfortable shelter for the people.
 The objective of this research is to understand kinetic, adaptive & responsive
architecture and propose a conceptual framework for kinetic classification and
design strategies. A thorough understanding of kinetic systems that are relevant to
architecture and their usage is important, because it enables architects to think about
the major aspects of kinetic, adaptive &responsive architecture, which help to
explore their potential for architectural applications.

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1.4 VALIDITY/FUTURE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

 The possibilities for practical implementations of kinetic, adaptive & responsive
architecture increased sharply in the late-20th century due to advances in mechanics,
electronics, and robotics.

1.5 SCOPE & LIMITATIONS

 Transformable & Flexible Architecture in terms of Sustainability.
 The research is limited to kinetic Architecture in terms of sustainability.
 How the buildings are flexible to adapt to the changes in surrounding environment.

1.6 PROPOSED METHODOLOGY

 Human beings are incredibly flexible. They move about at will, they manipulate
objects, they operate in a wide range of environments, determined objects, they
operate in a wide range of environments, determined to fulfil their desires.
People adapt and adopt spaces, and they long for buildings to be adaptable as
well.
 Their custom-made space is changing from space to place, from dwelling to
home and the period of use generates the unique essence of place that is
necessary for established architecture to exist.
 Adaptation, Mobility, Transformation, Interaction, responsive etc
 To overcome a need to be Flexible and adapt to change, architecture should
redraw inspiration from
 History tents, primitive shelters, portable and movable solutions and
nomads. In order to understand and study the human’s most basic needs
and the adaption to specific conditions such as climatic or natural human
growth, examples are described.
 Among them, the North African tent, a big sealed and closed element,
turns itself to its inside and shades for sun protection.
 The North American tipi with its peculiar shape works as a wind shield
and last, the Asian yurt representing modular solutions existing among us
and being used a long time ago.

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1.7 . Prototype Study

 Zoomlion Headquarters Exhibition Centre by amphibian Arc
 Al BAHAR - Abu Dhabi by AHR.
 Fully rotating house built in Italian countryside
 Dubai Apple Store with carbon-fibre "solar wings" by Foster + Partners
 Garden House by Caspar Schols (Sliding walls create various layouts inside)
 Kiefer Technic showroom etc.
 And many more movable, adaptive, responsive, transformable & Kinetic
structures

1.8 Bibliography

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_architecture
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsive_architecture
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_architecture
 https://www.arch2o.com/responsive-to-adaptive-the-shifting-trends...

 https://spacedid.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/transformable-architecture
 https://inhabitat.com/tag/transformable-architecture/
 https://www.dezeen.com/tag/moving-buildings
 https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/30075
 https://www.researchgate.net/.../312481842_Origami_Folding_and_its_Potential_for
_Ar...
 https://smartech.gatech.edu/bitstream/handle/1853/.../james_andre_m_200808_ma
st.p...
 https://issuu.com/pragyabharati/docs/ilovepdf_merged
 https://issuu.com/carolinastevenson/docs/4cp._morphological_principles_of_ki
 https://www.researchgate.net/.../285578938_INTERACTIVE_MOVEMENT_IN_KIN..
.

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