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Mechanical/ETFE Cycle
The daily operation cycle of the building is actively observed by the inflating or deflating of ETFE pillows with a passive frit system. As the machinery in the building is used throughout the day, the atrium core actually “breathes” allowing both light and views across the space. A visual connection between museum and production is dependent on the machinery in use.
ETFE Passive Frit
When the pillows are inflated at full capacity, they are almost completely transparent, allowing visual communication across atrium 1. As the different machines are in use, different patterns of open and closed pillows emerge 2. As the building shuts down for the day, the pillows deflate, sealing off light and visual access in the atrium 3.
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