We are passing through streets and buildings each day in our lives and even if we can’t realize, things are changing around us. I would like to highlight a few buildings that will make you see these ‘changing things’ in a different way, via dynamic façades they have.
As you know they all have different functions to have that dynamism on their façades. However, we are going to mention about the ones which are changing depends on weather, sunlight, space usage and your perspective.
Let’s start then!
Have you ever thought about how can you reflect the wind effect on your façade? Well, Ned Kahn thought and made it real. You can ask how, but the solution is incisive. So, the building was covered with 80,000 small aluminum panels that are hinged to move freely in the wind. In addition, because of the building is a parking garage, the façade is also designed to provide ventilation and shade for the interior.
Going on with a master piece, Institut du Monde Arabe by Enrique Jan and Jean Nouvel Studio.
As far as I am concerned for a few seconds it might seem like the façade has a regular pattern, however that pattern gives the dynamism to building.
If you get closer in different times, you will understand that the geometric shapes are working like camera lenses. During the various phases of the lens, pattern can be formed as a light or void. Thus, you can have dramatic atmosphere depending on the light in interior space. You can see below how each element works.
Also for the Jean Nouvel lovers, there is a short movie from ‘ Reflections ‘ including Institut du Monde Arabe.
Let’s continue with another façade, uses sunlight as an element, Al Bahr Towers by Aedas Architects. We can say the way it works is similar with Institute but also simpler.
Components are controlled by computers and the sunscreens reduce sunlight – generated heat in the building.
As well as the previous project, that dynamic façade provides dramatic spaces for interior too. You can find a visualization how façade acts through the sun in the video below.
Until that stage, we have seen projects which are using nature as an effective element, but what if we push our limits just like Thomas Heatherwick and Foster + Partners do, in Shanghai. They have used the façade to make the parts of the building visible, such as balcony. Of course, it includes sun light fact for users but the way façade acts on exterior is totally different.
They inspired by traditional Chinese theatres and designed bronze tubes which are hanged in three layers, creating semi-transparent screens in front of windows and balconies.
Last but not least, I would like to mention about Eskenazi Hospital, by Urbana Architecture. The façade they have created belongs to parking structure. What they did is, designing a façade which is seen different from each spot people stand and for sure it creates dynamism and visual experience.
They have used 7,000 multi-colored aluminum panels with angles to have that effect. We should admit that when someone says something about 7,000 aluminum panels, it is a bit hard to think about a result which is soft like that.
