The kinetic
architecture embodies an ever-changing narrative of arriving and departing from
stillness.
When does a kinetic building stop moving? What is the
importance of stillness in kinetic architecture?
Stillness is an apparatus that allows a closer proximity
between built form and its user, one that excludes an excess of visual
stimulation and distraction. This apparatus gives the spectator specific
conditions of time and space to re-focus their attention on the micro level of
his/her environment.
So...
When does stillness commence? When the user needs
to decrease his/her stimulus levels.
When would the user
need to lower stimulus levels?
Recover from a stressful experience
Later hours in the day when the body requires rest
The user needs to focus on a specific task (i.e. working)
When is movement re-awakened? When the user needs
to increase his/her stimulus levels.
When would the user
need to increase stimulus levels?
When habituation is reached
To wake the body up
To create interest
__
In order to understand the change of
stimulus, one must acknowledge the importance of emotional response to stimulus
in our environment. The circumplex model of emotion, first developed by psychologist
Dr. James Russell, argues our emotional response to a stimulus occurs along the
two dimensions of pleasure and arousal as a single, integrated response rather
than two distinct responses.
I.E An environment that we call
stimulating is one that is both arousing and pleasant, while a space that is
relaxing rates low on arousal but high on pleasure.
So...
How can pleasure become embodied
within our built form? By adopting neurological theories of aesthetic
experience for our spaces. (I.E Spaces that emulate contrast in form and
unpredictability - strategies utilized to spark interest in the spectator)
How can our built form create arousal?
Through an ever-changing space. (As humans we have an aesthetic preference for
biological motion. Let us adopt the human body's movement to enable a stimulus
within the inhabitant.)
Understanding the foregoing, the architect can now begin to
define how neuromorphic architecture can appropriately acknowledge the
user, perceive his/her needs and adapt accordingly.
The building will read the user, define whether he/she
requires an increase, decrease or maintenance of stimulus levels. Depending on
the degree, the architecture will acknowledge the need for a relaxing, sleepy,
pleasant or exciting environment, in response to the user's current state, and
change accordingly.
Note: The user's functional needs would be satisfied simultaneously for each environment.
(I.e.: Relaxing = Reading, Sleepy = Nap, Pleasant = Work, Exciting = Play) The
interiors would deflate and inflate to form surfaces that satisfy these
functional needs. -->
Stay tuned for below
_______________________________________________________________
How does one establish parameters for a kinetic space?
The physical extents of the human body was utilized to
establish the constraints for the built form.
Max & Minimum Constraints utilizing hydraulic pistons and hinge joint for corner connections.
Maximum Constraint. The image below illustrates the interior fabric to deflate and inflate for functional needs. (I.e. Chair & Desk)
Contrast in Form + Motionless = Relaxing
Function = Reading Environment
5 Different models showcasing relaxing, pleasant, exciting and sleepy environments will be illustrated... and hopefully animated ;)
