Toward Responsive Atmospheres: Prototype Exploration through Material and Computational Systems (2011)
article⁄Toward Responsive Atmospheres: Prototype Exploration through Material and Computational Systems (2011)
abstract⁄The Stratus Project is an ongoing body of design research investigating the potential for kinetic, sensing and environmentresponsive interior envelope systems. The research emerges from a consideration of our attunement to the soft systems of architecture light, thermal gradients, air quality and noise paired with a desire to develop and prototype envelopes that not only perform to affect these atmospheres, but also to promote continual information and material exchange, and eventually dialogue, between occupant and atmosphere. Stratus v1.0 included the construction of a modest prototype using simple open source technologies, aimed to explore the formal, operational and technological possibilities, as well as potential operability and control conflicts, as part of the first phase of thinking around these questions. It deploys a distributed approach to structural, mechanical and communications systems design and delivery, where localized response is prioritized. The project works to reclaim the environmentally performative elements of architecture in this case, specifically, interior mechanical delivery and interface systems to within the purview of the discipline, as territories of material, formal, technological and experiential innovation and exploration. This paper will describe both the development of the current prototype as well as future research and investigation trajectories. The Stratus Project begins by situating itself at the crossroads of the disciplinary territories of architecture, technology, environmental control and cybernetics. Through the use of computational technologies and in collaboration with researchers in the fields of computer science, mechanical engineering and materials science, this project aims to advance the development of responsive environmental design and performative building skins.
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| Year |
2011 |
| Authors |
Velikov, Kathy; Thun, Geoffrey; O’Malley, Mary; Ripley, Colin. |
| Issue |
ACADIA 11: Integration through Computation |
| Pages |
326-333 |
| Library link |
N/A |
| Entry filename |
toward-responsive-atmospheres |
