Self-adaptive Multi-purpose Modular Origami Structure

Abstract

A research line in architecture and interior design has been focused for years on the selection of materials with properties specifically tailored for light, thermal and acoustic comforts. An adaptive origami-based structure is here proposed in order to overcome the limited capability of a single material to adjust its response to environmental changes. Such structure is highly flexible, with applications ranging from indoor to outdoor environments. We focus on building facades, to show some results relevant to a small-scale prototype aimed to provide shading to the sunlight

Characterizing Smart Environments as Interactive and Collective Platforms: A Review of the Key Behaviors of Responsive Architecture

“…The dataset for “responsive architecture” contains 25 research articles ( Table 1 ). There is, not surprisingly, some overlap between this first theme and several others, with some articles in this set also referring to adaptive building systems [ 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ] and kinetic systems [ 55 , 58 , 59 , 60 ]. A few studies also address aspects of embodied intelligence and performance [ 57 , 61 , 62 ], which are related to “intelligent buildings”.…”

“…Climatically responsive IBs are a common category in the research. They have been widely used in shading systems in contemporary architecture [ 53 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 62 , 63 , 65 , 66 , 68 ]. In façade design, high quality luminous environments using this sort of IB not only satisfy human visual needs, but also develop a sustainable and climatically responsive architecture [ 62 ].…”

“…In recent years adaptive origami-based modular structures [ 55 , 56 , 58 ] have been proposed as a means of enabling architectural responsiveness to light, thermal and acoustic conditions. The origami-based behavior is typically a sensing and actuation system much like the other climate-responsive building skins [ 56 ].…”

“…In recent years adaptive origami-based modular structures [ 55 , 56 , 58 ] have been proposed as a means of enabling architectural responsiveness to light, thermal and acoustic conditions. The origami-based behavior is typically a sensing and actuation system much like the other climate-responsive building skins [ 56 ]. In contrast, a kinetic solar skin using a thermo-mechanical SMA actuator can exhibit similar self-organizing behavior to origami folding patterns [ 55 , 58 ].…”

“…In this case, the responsiveness can be understood as a material-based behavior that enables a lightweight, motorless and silently operable building system [ 58 ]. Such climate-responsive IBs of adaptive façades have implications for architectural customization, sustainability and aesthetics [ 56 ] as well as building performance [ 66 ]. Many of these interactive building skins rely on mechatronic behaviors based on kinematics, while some solar shading devices use smart materials instead (e.g., property-changing smart materials, energy-exchanging smart materials) [ 65 ].…”