IN MOTION: FROM KINETIC ARCHITECTURE THEORY TO COMPUTATIONAL REALISATION

Concluding this thesis, the research embarked on an exploration that began with an extensive review of the theoretical landscape surrounding architectural concepts like 'kinetic architecture,' 'adaptive architecture,' 'transformable architecture,' and 'responsive architecture.' These concepts, all gravitating towards the central theme of architectural motion, were approached from distinct perspectives, yielding varied yet converging conclusions, each encompassing various aspects intrinsic to the performance of architectural motion. Expanding the purview, the research delved into other concepts, such as 'deployable structures,' 'intelligent building,' and 'biomimetic architecture,' which, while focusing on different research subjects, acknowledged the pivotal role of architectural motion within their frameworks. Scrutinizing relevant publications provided insights into fundamental criteria, offering a nuanced understanding of the contextual occurrence of architectural motion. These identified aspects served as the theoretical foundation for constructing the Kinetic Chronological model. The model sought to intricately weave these criteria into a cohesive cycle, investigating how the specified criteria of kinetic architecture could harmoniously coexist with the progression of the Kinetic System. The resultant theoretical model seamlessly integrated these criteria into a complex system, portraying the self-dependence of diverse aspects and categorizing them based on their influence on motion performance.The Kinetic Chronological Model, thus developed, serves as a solution to the existing theoretical disorganization and the ambiguity prevalent in contemporary literature on non-static architecture. It remains an open-ended multilevel typologization model, holding substantial potential for further refinement and adaptation as kinetic architecture continues to evolve. Nevertheless, the derived theoretical model encompasses substantial design potential, integrating elaborated and conceptualised extensions that manifest as design solutions initiated during the project's inception, shaping the subsequent performance of architectural motion. The design methodology originating from the resultant Kinetic Chronological Model can be characterized as an expanded top-down approach. This methodology diverges from other approaches by its emphasis on the execution of architectural motion, monitoring architectural transformation at three pivotal junctures: during the input and initiation of the transition, throughout the motion itself, and ultimately, at the output phase, impacting the envisaged architectural motion. The resulting design approach was employed to actively shape the design of a multifunctional kinetic envelope, to manage solar radiance, shield the host building from overheating, and, through controlled ventilation, to regulate the inner building microclimate. The mechanized Kinetic System comprised elastic textile elements, facilitating implementation in buildings of varying forms, scales, and locations. This made it algorithmically manageable and adaptable. To construct the computational model of the responsive envelope, various computational tools were utilized, including Grasshopper—a plugin for Rhinoceros Software—and Ladybug extensions. These tools facilitated the development of a computational framework capable of generating the model and overseeing its performance.