RESPONSIVENESS IN ARCHITECTURE: A NEW MOVEMENT OR

AN EMERGENT REQUIREMENT
MAZIAR ASEFI

Associate Professor, Department of Architecture and Urbanism, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran
E-mail: masefi@tabriziau.a.ir

Abstract- Responsive skins of all different types has become increasingly utilized in architecture in order to respond to
varying building conditions. The development of innovative technology in terms of structure, technics, and material has
made the realization of live and responsive architecture more accessible and imaginable. In today’s realm of environmental
awareness, transformable architectural envelopes has the ability to respond to environmental conditions, and in turn increase
the efficiency, occupant comfort, energy consumption of building systems and above all can respond to visual, aesthetical
requirements of users. It has also shown that, responsiveness can go beyond just a single architectural unit and make an
urban space speaks with its neighboring environment. This paper by evaluation major build structures and projects will
discuss the importance and applications of responsiveness in today’s architecture. It is to raise a question that whether
responsiveness is an emergent architectural requirements or it is something that is developing due to its luxurious nature?

Index terms- Responsiveness, Environmental, Human perception, Kinetic, Transformable

I. INTRODUCTION responsive skins is changing today’s architecture and

The architectural façade in recent years has been
given particular attention as it has been recognized as
the crucial aesthetic and performance based layer that
bridges the gap between the environment and our
interiors. In an advent to make our buildings more
responsive towards their immediate surroundings,
intelligent façades have seen various interpretations
through kinetic manifestations in the form of
adaptable skins that change with their environment
and user conditions in making for functional spaces.
These dynamic surfaces are then capable of
responding to environmental as well as human
perception, and able to register responses through
active and passive technologies. The only constant in
these systems is their materiality, every aspect is open
to changing in response to its specific dynamics [5].
These range from environmentally conscious
configurations to spectacular media installations in
creating surfaces of interactivity, attempting to
engage users and the public with embedded social
and culturally driven technologies [1].
Interactive architecture is playing a more prevalent
role in our urban environments. It should also be
mentioned that the reasons behind the necessities of
the application of responsiveness into architecture
and urban planning has not been investigated and
explored and there are designers who see
responsiveness as a redundant issue. In order to
generate optimal design outcomes, a new approach in
integrating sustainable interactivity and kinetics in
architecture is needed. Technologically adept façades
are becoming an emerging field and thus need
appropriate attention when developing a sophisticated
approach to how we envelop our buildings to shift
from static structures to buildings in motion. This
paper by categorizing the role of responsiveness in
architecture will evaluate how intelligent and
Proceedings of 8th Research World International Conference, Berlin, Germany, 30th January 2016, ISBN: 978-93-85973-05-5
35
above all it is to evaluate the necessities of the
application of responsiveness in architecture and
urban planning.
The challenge of kinetic facades, and dynamic
systems in general, lies in a shift of the design
objective from a single entity to the production of a
whole system. Through case studies of built and
proposed designs, this paper would like to look at the
issue from a plausibility standpoint. They will be
correlated to design, environmental performance,
human perception and functional aspects.
This research will also look at future trends to
determine whether adaptive and responsive facades
warrant the appropriate attention in the design
process. Of issue here is the growing need for
sustainable architecture, the plausibility of
implementation of kinetic elements to infrastructures,
the growing requirements of human being in the
everchanging environment.
Whether the same performative and aesthetic
qualities can be achieved, and to what limit can they
extend in comparison with new designs. The
technological advent of the 21st century has had un-
precedented impacts on architecture and we are now
seeing concrete manifestations in modern
architectural designs catching up with current trends.
The following diagram (Figure 1) shows a category
of the applications of responsive skins into
architecture and urban planning. The rest of this
paper will focus on what responsiveness can do in
architecture by evaluating and discussing the built
and proposed design according to the categories
summarized in the following diagram.
 Responsiveness in Architecture: A New Movement or an Emergent Requirement
Figure 1: The application of responsive skins in architecture
and urban planning
II. ENVIRONMENTAL AND ARTISTIC
APPLICATIONS
One of the key role of responsive architecture is the
promotion of sustainable design principles.
Transformability gives great opportunities to respond
to changing climatic conditions. The following
examples show how transformability is useful in
helping promote sustainable design principles and
relating buildings to the ever changing natural
environment.
An example of this is Chuck Hoberman’s adaptive
fritting technology and its various applications. The
concept creates a dynamic system based on fritted
glass panels with the addition of realtime dynamic
motion via motorised controls. By having various
layers of a specific pattern/graphic independently
move, an animated effect can be achieved which
changes the visual and aesthetic behaviour of the
graphic. The resulting mechanical modulation can
affect the surface opacity by shifting multiple layers
of clear acrylic within a graphic frit pattern thus
adding a performance criterion in addition to the
artistic function of the system. The installation at
Harvard GSD (Figure 2) is comprised of six fritted
acrylic panels housed within an aluminum frame,
sealed at each end with tempered glass. Since each
panel is independently controlled they can be used in
a modular fashion, enabling them in this case to form
as part of a curved wall. This enables the panels to be
sized and used with the same limitations that a
normal glass panelling system would [2]. A small
electric motor powers an actuator connected to three
circular rotating pins. Depending on the number and
graphic layout, each acrylic panel has three
corresponding crescent like openings. Each of these
openings is subsequently rotated by 90 degrees at
each panel so that as the circular pins rotate they pick
up and move each acrylic panel separately and at a
different time, thus allowing for the animation effect
to occur. The motor can be manually controlled, so
the users have a control over the opacity of the
windows, or can be let to run on a random looping
sequence. (Adaptive Building Initiative)
Proceedings of 8th Research World International Conference, Berlin, Germany, 30th January 2016, ISBN: 978-93-85973-05-5
36
Figure 2: Adaptive Fritting installation at Harvard GSD, taken
from [2]
As a feature, this design has obvious artistic and
performance advantages in that it is only limited by
the imagination of the designer. Much like standard
animation, an almost endless amount of possible
permutations can result from the dynamic movement
of a graphic pattern in various layers. Light
transmission, visual continuity, and spatial
cognizance can be alternated to varying degrees
within the same space. From a performance
standpoint, if the motors can be connected to motion
and daylight sensors, they can adapt to lighting and
occupancy conditions and become a fully
independent smart system functioning without the
need of user input. The limitations of this design can
become prevalent when thinking of integrating such a
system to an exterior glazing framework. A detail
needs to be specified for ease of integration and
installation. Also this feature would need a
proportional mechanising system as a larger size and
number of panels would need a more powerful
actuation system to enable its animation. Therefore
integration would only be possible in curtain wall
with sizeable mullions for support. However in terms
of scaling this system would be very interesting to
explore as motion graphics can also be achieved
similar to lenticular graphics at a much cheaper cost
of external digital displays.
Helio trace façade system was a collaboration
between Skidmore, Owings and Merril and The
Permasteelisa Group. The system uses transformable
façade panels, using of the patented Strata system as
the primary transformable mechanism (Figure 3).
This system is similar to the dynamic fritting concept,
with the goal being to improve both the lighting and
thermal conditions [3]. The developers of Helio Trace
claim the system to improve shading by 78% and
provides an 81% reduction to annual peak solar gain.
 Responsiveness in Architecture: A New Movement or an Emergent Requirement

The system utilizes two mechanisms, the first are that specific parts can be operated individually to suit
opaque panels which project perpendicular from the particular functions. The transformation of this
frame. The second mechanism is four 50% perforated structure occurs through a combination of
panels which extend parallel to the façade and can be movements, extensions and contractions, by means of
programmed to respond to solar movement. This a system of pneumatic pistons, telescopic bars,
system can track the sun over the course of the year, hinged and rotary joints (Figure 4).
providing a unique shading conditions depending on
the day and intended environment condition. The
system is estimated to improve energy efficiency by
63% compared to baseline performance in New York
City. The Helio Trace system can be adapted to any
climatic region and be calibrated to any building form
and orientation. As it seen in this system, it not only
responds to the climatic condition but also respond to
the human stimulus by proving glare reduction. This
system can also be incorporated with other
sustainable system, computer controlled systems and
mechanical HVAC can control the panel in order to
optimize the thermal system. The kinetic façade is
both functional and aesthetic, achieving a dynamic
system with a vast array of possible configurations.
As each panel is able to move independently, the
façade can adapt to very specific needs. Computer
systems will operate them, as the complexity of the
systems increase, it is ever more difficult to optimize
with the help of computer software. These kinds of
system will most likely be incorporated with heat
sensors, and maybe connect to the internet to access Figure 3: Aesthetic and functional quality of Helio Trace
current weather conditions. The application to façade system, picture taken from [3].
sustainable practices is obvious, no longer will be
stuck using static shading devices which are only
optimized for particular climate conditions. The Helio
Trace system makes the façade dynamic and
interactive.

III. FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Intelligent and transformable architecture has been

developed rapidly in recent years. Although, research
and development work in this important area of
architecture is still in its infancy, the examination of
the some proposed projects reveals the great
advantages that architecture can gain from smart
structure technology in responding to ever-changing
functional requirements. The following example
shows how deployable and transformable building
components can interactively respond to user’s
requirements.
A groundbreaking intelligent transformable
architecture called ‘Topotransegrity’ was designed in Figure 4: Transformation process of a Topotransegrity
2002 by 5Subzero, a building group of architects structure, pictures from [5]
from London [4]. They proposed a system of
transformable structures consisting of a series of This outstanding structure was submitted to a design
kinetic space-frame modules that constantly evaluates competition at the Barbican Arts Centre in London.
and processes the surrounding environment and The proposed structure allows a multiplicity of
deform to adapt to the changing conditions [5]. This different configurations to be explored. Visitors can
structure operates either on the basis of the feedback experience different scenes during the course of a
received from its surrounding environment, or can be day. The transformation of the louvre also allows the
transformed through a pre-programmable system. sunlight to penetrate into the building when desired.
One of the unique characteristics of this structure is Here the innovative architectural concept is realized

Proceedings of 8th Research World International Conference, Berlin, Germany, 30th January 2016, ISBN: 978-93-85973-05-5
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 Responsiveness in Architecture: A New Movement or an Emergent Requirement
by means of transformable structural units. Kinetic
double layer space structures are driven by means of
pneumatic pistons that allow the structural bars and
the surface plates to be rotated (Figure 5).
Figure 5: A detailed view of transformation process of
Topotransegrity structures driven by a number of pneumatic
pistons, pictures from [5]
IV. RESPONSIVENESS AND HUMAN
PERCEPTION
It can be argued that one of the crucial
responsibilities of architecture in an ever-changing
world is to create an environment that provides users
with opportunities to extend their creative, social,
environmental and aesthetic knowledge. This can be
done by experiencing different aspects of the
buildings that inhabit their surrounding environments.
It is quite clear that architects can play an important
role in this issue by designing spaces in which a
mutual interaction between the environment and the
user is possible. Such architecture goes beyond its
basic task of providing a shelter for its users and
reconfirms the well-known statement that
‘architecture is not a goal itself’. However, the
question is how architecture can be involved in the
process of reflecting social and historical activities
and be used as a learning environment for its users
that infuses the message of the architect and the
concepts that are behind the design of the
architecture?
Figure 6: Interactive façade in Los Angeles by Electroland,
Picture taken from [6]
Proceedings of 8th Research World International Conference, Berlin, Germany, 30th January 2016, ISBN: 978-93-85973-05-5
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An example of this would be the interactive façade in
Los Angeles by Electroland (Figure 6), which
introduces an interactive device to the façade [6]. The
interactive media facade invites visitors at the public
street level to interact with the building’s façade by
operating a set of actuated panels in the ground level
below. The devised systems do not mediate the
interior and exterior spaces and have no value in the
direct control of the building environment. He goes
on to make the case that the implementation and
integration of computational devices in architectural
assemblies should be aimed with a focus on
environmental moderation as opportunities for
development through architectural responsibility.
V. RESPONSIVENESS- A NEW LANGUAGE
TO URBAN DESIGN
When it comes to scaling adaptive systems in the
theoretical realm there are also those who are
proposing rather radical ideas when it comes do
adaptive skins. Created by the design initiative The
Living, Living City Figure 8 serves as a digital
platform for a future where buildings communicate
with one another. It is defined as an ecology of
facades where individual buildings collect data, share
it with others in through digital mediums, and
individually respond to the collected body of
knowledge. With the driving design factor of
environmental consciousness, the project creates an
ecology of facades that open and close their gills in
response to air quality. The success of this project
derives in the idea that the kinetic facade becomes a
“living” membrane, seamlessly blending organic and
mechanical processes to create a complex system.
Through the exploration of varying patterns,
expansions and contractions of the material, the
design is able to build a transparent wall with
louvered “gills” across its surface. By way of a
connection to infrared sensors, the gills open and
close due to a contracting wire they are attached to.
As people approach, the glass membrane opens up
letting in fresh air. The facade is also praised for its
ability to be applied to different building typologies.
In addition to air quality, it can react to environmental
factors such as sunlight, energy consumption, traffic,
and presence of people. The façade can also react to
environmental conditions across various nearby
buildings. An example of this is the Living’s
experiments on the Empire State Building and the
Van Alen Institute to create a dynamic system where
the two buildings can communicate, share data
regarding their states of use and that of the
surrounding environment. Thus, the infrastructural
landscape is enriched with a new layer of
communication, responsiveness, and interactivity.
Through this relationship, the building skin
functionally merges with the public spaces
surrounding it, and quite literally changing and
reacting to the behaviours of the city and the
 Responsiveness in Architecture: A New Movement or an Emergent Requirement
building’s users [7]. While this design ideology
certainly gives a glimpse in the near future through
several innovative environmental solutions, its real
world application is severely limited. This stems from
the need to have a number of buildings to engage
with one another for the system to properly work.
This prototype relies on this network of buildings to
have the ability and technological capacity to capture,
store, and retrieve environmental inputs. However as
its name suggests, when inevitably cities are able to
provide this techheavy infrastructure, the “Living
City” will become a design platform for the future,
when building walls will be able to literally breathe
[7].
Figure 6: Living City façade details
Austrian architects, Ivan Redi and Andrew Redi have
proposed a performative spatial environment called
Responsive Public Space (RPS). Responsive Public
Space is an interactive light and soundscape
installation in public setting that is designed to
encourage engagement between participants (Figure
7). RPS that includes a light surface hanged over
participants and corresponding soundscape, tracks
and evaluates people’s behaviour and displays this
information into light and sound. Different from
common interactive artworks where users are
interacting directly with the artwork (e.g. visually or
audibly), here participants only can call alive an
'active space' if they working closely with each other.
Passersby are invited to react to the light-soundscape
and so to each other’s actions and reaction in the
space. The experience intensifies by the number of
actors within the space whose quality of relationship
is represented through space-sensitive architectural
construction of kinetic audio-light surface. The
collective behaviour and how participants manage
their spatial relationship influences the quality of
experience for each actor; this implies how far they
transform the active space around themselves [8]
Proceedings of 8th Research World International Conference, Berlin, Germany, 30th January 2016, ISBN: 978-93-85973-05-5
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This installation encourages participants to create
their own “performative space” by interacting and
‘working together’ with their fellow participants. RPS
investigates ‘connection – disconnection’ and
‘isolation – togetherness’ in urban environments in
the information age; the audience enacts social
“nearness” as the main control parameters of the light
audio composition [8]. The aim is an immersive
audio spatial experience of ‘nearness’ that is enacted
by participant’s imaginary and novel sense of
embodied space.
Figure 7: Concept Image of Responsive Public Space’s kinetic
audio-light surface with participants (picture take from
ORTLOS)
CONCLUSION
From the small scale to the large scale,
transformability has opened new avenues for
achieving responsiveness compared to traditional
means of construction. In this paper the applications
of responsiveness into architecture were evaluated
through the examination of the build and proposed
design. Many of the transformable and kinetic system
used in these projects can easily be combined to form
even more responsive systems. These systems mainly
use the façade as the first line of attack, which is the
most important aspect in terms of a sustainable,
 Responsiveness in Architecture: A New Movement or an Emergent Requirement
efficient buildings and allow for a lot of possibility in
terms of improvement against traditional building
facades. A system’s ability to control sunlight and
heat gain is a common theme throughout studied
project and this is done through many different
methods that shade, control and filter sunlight as it
hits the façade.
This paper also suggests that as comprehensive
systems, kinetic facades definitely carve a niche for
themselves as plausible considerations for design. It
is fairly evident that as a design methodology, the
generation of varying aesthetics approaches to
buildings seems to have been the stepping stone into
the realm of architectural design.While the
technology and efficient implementation of kinetic
facades seems to be relegated to a very high tier of
expertise and professional knowledge, this is to be
expected as the practice needs to catch up in terms of
feasibility and architectural implementation
knowledge. It has also become evident that kinetic
facades are still a relatively new technology in the
design and construction industry. With that said
however, as the industry itself is shifting to more
sustainable and green methods of design, this is
where kinetic facade design methodologies need to
catch up. For these systems to be a plausible choice in
the architect’s arsenal they need to reflect a deeper
integration with sustainable architectural systems and
go beyond the basic applications of shading and solar
gain technologies as that is just one facet of holistic
sustainable designs. On the other hand there is a
definite pragmatism from designers, engineers, and

Proceedings of 8th Research World International Conference, Berlin, Germany, 30th January 2016, ISBN: 978-93-85973-05-5
40
clients alike in choosing the most efficient systems
for integration in architecture. Since kinetic facades
have the possibility to simultaneously tackle and
integrate a varying degree of sustainable features,
aesthetic options, and dynamic responses to both
environment and users, they can also provide better
design options and have the ability to offset certain
construction costs. Responsive architecture can also
create dynamic building spaces that provide users
with opportunities to extend their creative, social,
environmental and aesthetic knowledge.
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