flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Must See: Shape-shifting architecture that responds to heat

Must See: Shape-shifting architecture that responds to heat

Students in Barcelona have created a composite material using shape memory polymers that can deform and return to their original state when activated by cues like heat, humidity, and light.


By BD+C Staff | September 10, 2014
Translated Geometries, shape memory polymer
Translated Geometries, shape memory polymer

Students in Barcelona wanted to explore how physical spaces could someday morph based on various environmental inputs. The result: a material dubbed Translated Geometries, which Wired describes as a composite material using shape memory polymers that can deform and return to their original state when activated by cues like heat, humidity, and light.

The students at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalunya—Ece Tankal, Efilena Baseta, and Ramin Shambayati—told Wired that the invention is a toward “an architecture that isn’t so rigid, that tries to be more attuned with its environment.”

Wired writer Liz Stinson argues that adaptable modular components could save on material by serving dual purposes.

To learn how this composite works, read the full story on Wired, and watch the video below.

 

?ranslated Geometries from Efilena Baseta on Vimeo.

Related Stories

Giants 400 | Aug 6, 2015

GIANTS 300 REPORT: Top 115 Healthcare Architecture Firms

HDR, Stantec, and Perkins+Will top Building Design+Construction's 2015 ranking of the largest healthcare architecture and architecture/engineering firms in the U.S. 

Giants 400 | Aug 6, 2015

HEALTHCARE AEC GIANTS: Hospital and medical office construction facing a slow but steady recovery

Construction of hospitals and medical offices is expected to shake off its lethargy in 2015 and recover modestly over the next several years, according to BD+C's 2015 Giants 300 report.

Codes and Standards | Aug 6, 2015

ConsensusDocs releases new CM agency contract standard agreement

For use when owner acts as the construction manager, hires a construction manager, or uses multiple prime contractors

Giants 400 | Aug 5, 2015

GIANTS 300 REPORT: Top 135 Office Sector Architecture Firms

Gensler, HOK, and Perkins+Will top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest office sector architecture and architecture/engineering firms. 

Giants 400 | Aug 5, 2015

OFFICE SECTOR GIANTS: Today’s workplace design must appeal to Millennials’ ‘activity-based’ lifestyle

Office market AEC Giants discuss the latest trends workplace design, and the state of the office construction sector.

Giants 400 | Aug 5, 2015

GIANTS 300 REPORT: Top 37 Engineering/Architecture Firms

Jacobs, AECOM, and Thornton Tomasetti head Building Design+Construction's 2015 ranking of the largest engineering/architecture firms in the United States. 

Giants 400 | Aug 5, 2015

ENGINEERING GIANTS: Profits, revenue on the rise at U.S. engineering firms as economy sputters back to life

The vast majority of engineering firms are decidedly bullish on revenue growth for 2015, and profitability is nearing a six-year high, according to BD+C's 2015 Giants 300 report.  

Giants 400 | Aug 4, 2015

GIANTS 300 REPORT: Top 64 Architecture/Engineering Firms

Stantec, HOK, and Callison RTKL top Building Design+Construction's 2015 ranking of the largest architecture/engineering firms in the United States. 

Giants 400 | Aug 4, 2015

GIANTS 300 REPORT: Top 106 Architecture Firms

Gensler, Perkins+Will, and Kohn Pedersen Fox top Building Design+Construction's 2015 ranking of the largest architecture firms in the United States. 

Giants 400 | Aug 4, 2015

ARCHITECTURE GIANTS: 21 practice management innovations from architecture Giants

Design firms have gone all out with management innovations in the last year. Check out which ones might work for your firm.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Great Solutions

41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors

AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021