Modular Pneu-Facade system
by daekwonpark
By Daekwon Park
The Modular Pneu-Façade System(MPFS) is a kinetic façade system that investigates the intersection between biologically inspired design, smart technology, and architectural façade system. The key characteristics of biological design (modularity, robustness, kinetic proofreading, and hierarchical design) is juxtaposed with smart technology and system (material, sensor, actuation, and control) in order to create a dynamic façade system that respond and interact with its environment.
Inspired by the hydro skeletons and muscular hydrostats in nature (e.g. elephant trunk, starfish, octopus arm, etc.), the combination of elastic material and pneumatic/ hydraulic actuation was studied as the kinetic system. Each modules of the system will have its own sensor, pneumatic valve, and kinetic variations which can be assembled into a larger system that can be connected to a single energy source (compression pump or tank). The modularity and robustness of the system will allow simple local sensor/ actuation response that create emergent behavior in the global system.
