Soft responsive kinetic system: an elastic transformable architectural skin for climatic and visual control

Most designers of dynamic building skins that reconfigure themselves in changing conditions have utilised mechanical systems. However, when designing for dynamic responsiveness, these systems often involve intricate and high-tech mechanistic joints, actuators and control. This research investigates the possibility of the 'soft' form-changing material systems to minimise the use of 'hard' mechanical components for kinetic responsive architectural skins. The research goal is to develop a prototype system that can be used to retrofit an existing building with an application of a 'second skin' that performs well in various climate conditions and is visually compelling. This approach is tested by the prototype, namely "Curtain". It serves two fundamental purposes: Comfort and Cosmetic, to improve the existing interior and exterior spatial conditions. As an early proposition, the significance of this research offers a practical method for realising a 'soft' transformable architectural skin that synthesises passive cooling, manipulates sunlight and is set as an active shading device. Parametric design is used to explore and simulate these climatic and visual design constraints.