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Kinetics and Mechanical Motions

Note: two readings due for Monday as well
Evolution of Interactive Architecture
•Physical Means of Actuation
•Embedded Computational Infrastructures
•Human and Environmental Interaction

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The following three exercises will build upon each other in and will make use
of the below:

1_Understanding Mechanical Motions and creating working physical models

2_Applying a means of actuation mechanism to the kinetic model
3_Integrating controlled actuation

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 Physical Means of Actuation

The Role of Kinetics in Interactive Architecture

embedded Computation | structural engineering | adaptable environments

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 Kinetic Function
Kinetic function is used as a technological design strategy for building types that are
efficient in form, lightweight, and inherently flexible with respect to various contexts
and a diversity of purposes.
Such systems can be defined generally as buildings and/or building components with
variable mobility, location and/or geometry.
Although kinetic solutions in architecture have been around since the earliest
architecture in some form of another, the point here lies in understanding how such
systems can facilitate adaptability in terms of programmatic use, contextual and
environmental conditions and respond to them dynamically.

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Ways and Means

The ways in which a kinetic structural solution performs may include among others,
folding, sliding, expanding, and transforming in both size and shape.

The means by which a kinetic structural solution performs may be, among others,
pneumatic, chemical, magnetic, natural or mechanical.

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 General Kinetic Typologies:

Embedded Dynamic Deployable

Embedded Kinetic Structures

Embedded Kinetic structures are systems that exist within a larger architectural whole in a
fixed location. The primary function is to control the larger architectural system or building,
in response to changing factors.

Deployable Kinetic Structures

Deployable Kinetic structures typically exist in a temporary location and are easily
transportable. Such systems possess the inherent capability to be constructed and
deconstructed in reverse.

Dynamic Kinetic Structures

Dynamic kinetic structures also exist within a larger architectural whole but act
independently with respect to control of the larger context. Such can be subcategorized as
Mobile, Transformable and Incremental kinetic systems
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 Mechanisms
There is a great book “101 Basic Mechanisms” and another Great book “5 basic
Mechanisms”
There is really no sense on categorizing
mechanical motions:
Materiality will also prove to be of great
promise for advancement in the area of
interactive architecture as a result of
technology providing both an unprecedented
vision into microscopic natural mechanisms
and advanced manufacturing of high quality
kinetic parts with new materials such as
fabrics, ceramics, polymers and gels, fabrics,
shape-memory alloy compounds and
composites with unprecedented structural
properties.

5 Basic Mechanisms:
Turning Joint
Sliding Joint
Rolling Joint
Roll-Slide Joint
Screw Mechanism
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Materiality
Materiality will also prove to be of great promise for advancement in the area of
interactive architecture as a result of technology providing both an unprecedented
vision into microscopic natural mechanisms and advanced manufacturing of high
quality kinetic parts with new materials such as fabrics, ceramics, polymers and gels,
fabrics, shape-memory alloy compounds and composites with unprecedented
structural properties.

Material Understanding:
“material architecture” john fernandez, architectural press
“transmaterial” – on website

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Mechanical Motions:

(By Per Mollerup _ )

Stress: ex: Sleeping bag, light reflector for window, laundry basket
Folding: ex: clothes, parachutes tents etc…(rules but not memory)
Creasing: ex: maps, boxes (inherent memory)
Bellows: ex: lamp shade, shoe rack , airplane door extension (3-d
crease with space between)
Assembling: ex: broom handles with extensions, kit of parts (rules
for dis-assembly and re-assembly)
Hinging: ex: laptop, umbrella (hinge joint)
Rolling: ex: dog leash, garden hose, tape measure (rolling)
Sliding: ex: telescope, antennae, exacto knife (constrained slide)
Nesting: ex: crates, pots and pans (two or more occupying
overlapping space)
Inflation: ex: balloon, mattresses (constrained and hydraulic)
Fanning: ex: fans, allun Wrenches, paint samples (single
constraining point)
Pantograph: ex: scissor, shelving, lamp extensions (scissor) K
Tropisms

While there may be many reasons for employing kinetic solutions in

architecture we can always rest assured that they are a means to facilitate
adaptability. Such systems that are inherently deployable, connectable and
producible are ideally suited to accommodate and respond to changing
needs.

Tropisms are movements found in nature fostering adaptability to change,

they occur in natural evolution over single lifespans

Movement of components within the overall body

•Phototropism: light
•Geotropism: gravity
•Hydrotropism: water
•Hapotropism: touch
•Etc…

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Biomemetics
•Emulating biological design principles that can be utilized in an industrial
context

•Biometric principle: combine two materials- one of which can be transferred

into the other (cartilage + collagen = bone : glue + grit = new material

•Biometric principle: tendons are interface between passive and active

materials (bones and muscles)

NOTE:

http://www.tumbletruss.com/

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Bionics:

3 basic means for movement in nature:

•Cilliary (wave like motion)

•Muscular (Bionics – singular directionality, can only contract –
typically used in pairs)
•Hydraulic (can be air, water oil etc.)

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Interactive modeling:
•PHYSICAL MODELING OF MOTION

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Interactive modeling:
•PHYSICAL MODELING OF MOTION

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Interactive modeling:
•ADDING A MEANS OF ACTUATION

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Interactive modeling:
•ADDING SENSORS FOR RESPONSE

KPOND MOVIE

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Additional Readings:

Highly Recommended:

Chironis, Nicholas P.: Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, McGraw Hill, (1996)

Chironis, Nicholas P.: Mechanisms, linkages, and mechanical controls. New York: McGraw-Hill, (1965)

Kronenburg, Robert: Transportable environments: theory, context, design, and technology: papers from the International
Conference on Portable Architecture, London, 1997, E & FN Spon, London (1998)

Robbin, Tony: Engineering a new architecture, Yale University Press, New Haven, CT (1996)

Brown, Henry T.: Five hundred and seven mechanical movements: embracing all those which are most important in
dynamics, hydraulics, hydrostatics, pneumatics, steam engines, mill and other gearing, presses, horology, and
miscellaneous machinery, and including many movements never before published and several which have only recently
come into use. 18th ed. New York: Brown & Seward, (1896)

Moholy-Nagy, Laszlo, and Theobald, Paul: Vision in Motion. Chicago: (1947)

Jones, Franklin Day: Ingenious Mechanisms for Designers and Inventors, Industrial Press (1977)

Tufte, Edward R.: Visual Explanations. Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press (1997)

Davidson, Cynthia: Guy Nordenson, Chuck Hoberman, Mahadev Raman: Interview: Three Engineers (Sitting around
Talking) Any: Architecture New York, v10, Anyone Corp, New York, NY (1995)

Kronenburg, Robert: Portable Architecture, Architectural Press, Boston (1996)

Zuk, William: New Technologies: New Architecture. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York (1996)

Pawley, Martin: Theory and Design in the Second Machine Age Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, (1980)

Zuk, William: Kinetic Architecture. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York (1970) K
Sort of Recommended:

Shigley, Joseph E.: Standard Handbook of Machine Design, Mcgraw-Hill (1996)

Ansari, Farhad, Arup Maj, and Christopher Leung eds. Intelligent civil engineering materials and structures: a collection of state-of-
the-art papers in the applications of emerging technologies to civil structures and materials. New York: American Society of Civil
Engineers (1997)
Gandhi, Mukesh V: Smart materials and structures. New York: Chapman & Hall (1992)
Culshaw, Brian: Smart structures and materials. Boston: Artech House (1996)
Ove Arup Partnership: Exploring Materials: The Work of Peter Rice, Royal Gold Medalist 1992. London: Ove Arup Partnership (1992)
Drew, Phillip: Frei Otto: Form and Structure, Westview Press, Boulder, Colo. (1976)
Morrison, Philip: Powers of Ten. New York, Scientific American Library (1994)
McMahon, Thomas A. and Bonner, John Tyler: On Size and Life. New York, Scientific American Library (1983)
Thompson, d’Arcy: On Growth and Form, Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, (1961)
Fuller, R., Buckminster: Synergetics. New York: Macmillan (1975)
Garcia de Jalon, Javier. and Eduardo Bayo Kinematic and dynamic simulation of multibody systems : the real-time challenge. New
York, Springer-Verlag, (1994)
Parsons, Ron Vincent: “Computer-aided synthesis of kinematic linkages.” Thesis M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1975)
Barr, Stephen: Experiments in Topology. New York: Crowell (1964)
Carr, Joesph J.: Electronic Circuit Guidebook: Sensors, PROMPT Publications, 1997
Banchoff, Thomas F: Beyond the Third Dimension: Geometry, Computer Graphics, and Higher Dimensions. New York, Scientific
American Library (1990)
Books,Tab: Mechanical Devices for the Electronics Experimenter, (1995)
Calatrava, S.: Secret Sketchbook, The Monacelli Press, Inc., New York (1995)
Engel, Heinrich. Structure Systems. New York: Praeger, (1968)
Foley, J. and Van Dam, A.: Computer Graphics. Reading, Mass.: Addison Wesley (1990)
Gilbertson, Rodger G: Muscle Wires Project Book 3rd Ed. Celene de Miranda San Anselmo, CA, MondoTronics (1992)
Gordon, J.E: The Science of Structures and Materials. New York: Scientific American Library, (1988)
Hoffman, Edward G.: Students Shop Reference Handbook, Industrial Press Inc. (1986)
Kronenburg, Robert: Houses in motion: the genesis, history and development of the portable building. St. Martin's Press (1995)
Lefebver, Henri: The Production of Space New York: Vintage (1983)
Molian, Samuel: Mechanism design : an introductory text. New York : Cambridge University Press (1982)
Molinari, Luca: Santiago Calatrava. Skira, Milano. (1998)
Reshetov, Leonid N.: Self-aligning mechanisms. Chicago, Ill. : Mir Publishers, (1982)
Sklar, Lawrence: Space, Time, and Spacetime. Los Angeles, California: University of California Press (1977)
Tufte, Edward: Envisioning Information. Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press (1990)

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Walker, John R., Goodheart-Willcox, Machining Fundamentals: From Basic to Advanced Techniques (1997)
Zerning, John: Design Guide to Anticlastic Structures in Plastic. Polytechnic of Central London (1976)
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