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Historically, facades were used to ornament or embellish a structure. They were viewed more as an artistic endeavour achieved through materiality than utilitarian design aspects. However, facades of the twenty-first century are intended to be functional and responsive to climatic factors. The contemporary era is one of ‘kinetic facade designs,’ which aims to make facades adaptive to conditions for sustainable, aesthetic, and ecological purposes.
What are Kinetic Facades in Architecture?
Kinetic facades are dynamic architectural systems that allow parts of a building’s exterior to move or adjust to environmental conditions like sunlight, wind, and temperature. These systems enhance energy efficiency, comfort, and aesthetic appeal, significantly reducing a structure’s environmental footprint.
These enable movement on a building’s surface rather than being static or fixed. Active facade concepts have been recognised as multifunctional components for addressing design challenges through a multidisciplinary strategy by nature, technology, and architecture. Let us walk you through a list of incredible kinetic facade designs around the world.
15 Top Smart Kinetic Facades Around the World
The following list highlights some of the most innovative examples of kinetic facades, showcasing how modern architecture merges technology, nature, and sustainability.
Also Read: Modern Architecture | Glimpse of its Advantages and Features!!!
1. Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany
Courtesy - Freepik - AI Generative
Allianz Arena in Munich is the world’s first stadium with a completely colour-changing architectural facade design, reflecting the two teams that participated in the match. The exterior of this soccer stadium flaunts 2,874 diamond metal ETFE panels. The structure designed by Herzog de Meuron Architects and Arup Structural Consultants looks like a looped bowl with a seating capacity of about 70000 visitors. The roof is composed of steel latticework, while the structural frame of the bowl and the stands is made of reinforced concrete. The entire structure is encased in lighted air cushions, representing a soccer ball.
2. SDU- Kolding University in Southern Denmark
Courtesy - University of Southern Denmark
SDU Kolding Campus, with smart facade design, and triangle configuration, is an important new landmark in Kolding. The highlight of the structure, however, is a climate-sensitive facade for the institution that vividly depicts the ever-changing life within the campus from the perspective of an outsider. Kolding Campus has a kinetic solar shading system, which adapts to specific weather conditions and offers ideal lighting and a cosy internal ambience.
The facade panels can close and open, or remain half to fully open, thanks to the 1600 triangular fin sensors that monitor heat and light levels surrounding the structure. This gives the building’s exterior depth and a sleek appearance, contributing to its sustainability by reducing energy consumption.
3. Hedge Building, Rostock, Germany
Courtesy - archilovers
Hedge Building’s kinetic architecture refines the purpose of biophilic design by cladding the structure in lush greenery. The structure exemplifies the rationality and logic of Dutch agriculture while also displaying poetic aspects. The facade, made up of ‘Smart Screens’ constructed of ivy hedges growing on the panels, is the focal point of the building. Its roof is made of translucent panels that let light into the inside, allowing the hedge plants to thrive.
4. ITRI- Taiwan
Courtesy - ArchDaily
Noiz architects developed the innovative facade of the Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan as a fluid architectural approach to developing a delicate, veil-like facade. The architects strived to create a double-skin building envelope; the design approach used a layered facade system made up of 4000 fins that are offset from curtain walls. The double-skin construction conceals the service area in between while enabling future variations without compromising the soft and dynamic aesthetic.
5. One Ocean, Thematic pavilion in South Korea
Courtesy - architectandinteriorsindia
SOMA developed the dynamic facade system out of glass-fibre-reinforced polymers to create a form analogous to that of a fish. The surface consists of 108 kinetic lamellas supported at the top and bottom edges of the facade. Motors at both ends of each blade move the flexible lamellas. Interior lighting is regulated by lamellas, whose effects are more striking if the blade is larger in scale. By portraying the contrasting yet harmonious qualities of the ocean, its tranquillity and the movement of waves, this Thematic Pavilion captures attention.
6. Lisbon Wood in Lisbon, Portugal
Courtesy - loopdesignawards
This structure takes a sustainable approach towards Kinetic facades, while a rustic character to the overall design. Wooden louvers on the active facade give the structure a dynamic, living quality that extends from the inside to the exterior. In addition to providing the occupants with privacy and sun protection, the louvered shade panels enhance the building’s aesthetic appeal.
7. Abu Dhabi Investment Council New Headquarters – Al Bahr Tower
Courtesy - mgsarchitecture
The Al Bahr Tower features an energy-efficient facade that embodies technology with traditional design elements. Islamic design concepts inspire and shape the creative design for AHR. [1] [2] A dynamic transparent “Mashrabiya” used on the building’s exterior reduces solar gain on the facade by up to 50%. It opens and closes according to the movement of the sun, thus contributing to energy efficiency and indoor comfort.
8. RMIT Design Hub in Melbourne, Australia
RMIT Design Hub has a double-skin facade that includes a detailed double-glazed inner skin on each face of the building as well as an automatic operable disc shading system. This beautiful facade design is dynamic and has discs mounted on a framework which is controlled by a software system. Each cell may be positioned and oriented by the system to capture the most energy possible from incident sun rays, allowing the building to reduce its reliance on artificial lighting.
9. Passive House in Bessancourt, France
Courtesy - Designboom
The Passive House is an artistic and metaphorical representation of a traditional home in France. The architectural facade design is a non-treated bamboo framework second (outer) skin that covers the huge wood panel structure. The traditional barns in this area served as the inspiration for this coating, which eventually turns grey.
10. House In Travessa Do Patrocínio in Lisbon, Portugal
Courtesy - Dezeen
Another example of a biophilic kinetic facade is the House in Travessa Do Patrocinio, whose walls are entirely covered in foliage and function as a vertical garden. This active facade design harnesses the power of nature instead of adhering to the conventional two types of kinetic facades, such as mechanical facades. A vertical yard with a straight ladder links all stories, evoking the iconic Alfama steps.
11. Viking by Crown in Sydney, Australia
Courtesy - Dezeen
This innovative structure, which takes its cue from kinetic artist Yaacov Agam, pushes the limits of conventional design with a striking kinetic facade design made of new angles and exquisite lines in vibrant colours. As inhabitants open and shut them, the building’s tapering edges are covered in movable louvres that give the facades life. When the louvers are opened, coloured accents on the edge of the louver panels are visible, evoking the colours of the exterior and giving the illusion of mobility.
12. Brisbane Airport in Australia
Courtesy - Designboom
When viewed from the outside, the eight-story Brisbane airport kinetic parking garage facade looks to be dynamically rippling when the wind activates hanging aluminium panels. As light flows through the dynamic facade systems, fascinating patterns of light and shadow will be projected onto the walls and floor. The artwork by Ned Kahn offers several sustainability benefits in addition to depicting the fluid designs controlled by the wind. It is also meant to provide ventilation and shading to the interiors of the parking park, making it the best building facade design which is functional and environmentally responsive.
13. Galleria Center City in Cheonan, South Korea
Courtesy - Unstudio
Galleria Center by UN Studio features a stacked profile kinetic facade with vertical mullions that provide a trompe l’oeil impression with varying depth and dimension. It has a dramatic and fluid double-layered facade designed to enhance the user experience. The idea was to evoke an illusive expression through the facade, in terms of scale. From the exterior, determining the number of storeys in the structure is nearly impossible.
14. The Kiefer Technic Showroom
Courtesy - Designindaba
The dynamic facade of the Kiefer Technic Showroom adjusts to climatic conditions, boosting internal climate while allowing clients to define their rooms via user controls. Brick walls, steel, concrete floors and ceilings, and concrete columns clad in steel make up the facade’s shell structure. Electronic aluminum panel shutters with perforated surfaces power the sunscreens that make up this spectacular kinetic facade, providing adaptability to the changing climate.
15. The Quilted Cube, Barcelona
Courtesy - Bustler
This ground-breaking structure was created by Spanish architect Enric Ruiz Geli and has a steel framework that resembles a netted jellyfish. A membrane made of ETFE and 104 cushions on the south facade will expand or deflate in response to sunlight. It is one of the most energy-efficient mixed-use office buildings for technological businesses, with public galleries and services, and it successfully reduces the need for artificial air conditioning.
5 Different Types of Kinetic Facades
● Nature as a Kinetic Facade
Nature-based kinetic facades use the natural growth patterns of plants to create dynamic, ever-changing exteriors. For example, the House in Travessa Do Patrocínio in Lisbon features walls covered in foliage, forming a vertical garden that evolves with the seasons. This design not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also contributes to urban biodiversity, improves air quality, and provides natural insulation by regulating internal temperatures.
● Bioclimatic Kinetic Facade
Bioclimatic kinetic facades adjust to environmental factors like temperature and sunlight to optimize energy efficiency and comfort. The Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi exemplify this with their dynamic “Mashrabiya” screens, which open and close based on the sun’s position, reducing solar gain by up to 50% and improving cooling and glare control while enhancing overall building performance.
● Light Control Kinetic Facade System
Light control facades use sensors and automated systems to manage natural light and shading. An example is the RMIT Design Hub in Melbourne, which features a facade of rotating and tilting discs controlled by sensors. This system adjusts to varying light levels, minimising the need for artificial lighting, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring a comfortable indoor environment.
● Wind Responsive Kinetic Facade System
Wind-responsive facades utilise elements that move with the wind to create dynamic effects and improve environmental performance. The Brisbane Airport Parking Garage in Australia illustrates this with its hanging aluminum panels that ripple with the wind. This movement not only adds a striking visual element but also enhances ventilation and shading, contributing to the building’s sustainability.
● User Control Kinetic Facade
User-controlled kinetic facades allow occupants to adjust facade components to meet their needs for light, privacy, and ventilation. The Kiefer Technic Showroom features electronic aluminium panel shutters that users can control, enabling them to manage sunlight and airflow to tailor the indoor environment for increased comfort and functionality.
Are You Ready to Immerse in the Rhythm of Modern Kinetic Facades?
The static history of buildings has been left behind, and today’s structures breathe life into their design. Modern kinetic facade designs are influenced by natural and climatic factors, as well as the daily needs of people.
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Kinetic Facades FAQs
1. What is the Objective of Kinetic Architecture?
Buildings designed using the principle of kinetic engineering preserve overall structural integrity while allowing for some movement of individual components.
2. Are Kinetic Facades Sustainable?
A dynamic exterior system does not necessarily require advanced technology and computational systems. Kinetic facades harness the power of natural elements like sunlight and air to create mobile and fluid exterior surfaces.
3. What are Kinetic Shading Systems?
Dynamic sunshades are devices that automatically adjust to the sun’s position to reduce solar gain and glare.
Courtesy – Image 1(The Décor Journal India)
Author Bio
Saili Sawantt – She is an Architect and Interior Designer by profession. Writing is what she treats as her passion. She has worked as an Architectural Writer, Editor, and Journalist for various design as well as digital portals, both national and international. Formerly she has also worked with Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) Design Studio, Mumbai, due to her keen interested in learning about Sustainability and Green buildings. Apart from this, she runs her blog ‘The Reader’s Express’ and is a practicing Architect & Interior Designer.