Comparative Analysis of Technologies Used in Responsive Building Facades

Numerous factors stemming from revolutionary changes in public culture, economy, technology and their impact on architecture initiated the idea of active facades in the 1960s. Among these factors, technological advancements in electrical control systems, computer engineering, information technology, artificial intelligence, cybernetics and material science have provided opportunities for use of dynamic entities in architecture and its components. In this paper, historical evolution of technologies implemented in responsive facade systems is presented and five main categories of technologies used in existing cases of facades are identified. The technologies of responsive facades can be classified as mechanical technology, electromechanical technology, passive technology, information technology and advanced material technology, based on the types of sensing, actuating, control, structural and material technologies that have been used in the systems. Finally, the implemented technologies, their benefits and shortcomings are compared in order to identify the reasons for utilizing a specific technology. Based on this comparison, an integrated technology is proposed that utilizes advantages of previous technologies with the goals of achieving better efficiency. Keyword Modern Architecture, Modern Building Design, Responsive Facade Systems, Facade Technologies Introduction In the 1960s, multiple factors triggered the idea of active facades as opposed to the traditional static and passive facades (Sharaidin, 2014). These factors stem from revolutionary changes in society, economy, technology and their impact on architecture that prompted architects and engineers to formulate innovative design theories. A machine-like, mood-sensitive and alive building that would interact with users started to appear in science fiction (Perino & Serra, 2015) that inspired various building designers to implement these fictions in architecture.