JAD 2009 COMPETITION ENTRY
Throughout history, architecture has never been interactive on the large scale. Our potential for interacting with our built settings has been very limited. On the small scale, our environments are interactive: furniture, windows, and doors can be moved about at will. On the larger scale, however, we are limited to slow, expensive, and permanent interactions: renovation, demolition, construction. Now, with the current spirit of innovation in architecture, I propose a system which will allows us to control our built environments, dependent on our demands and whims.
The system I propose is essentially one of moving walls. The exterior walls of the building are divided into a number of panels along each facade. They are then mounted into roof tracks which run orthogonal to the panel surfaces, with wheels and a small motor for each panel. Finally, by connecting these panels into a central control system, the users of the building gain full control over the organization of their space.
They can expand, contract, or reorganize the building’s form in order to satisfy the demands placed upon them, or to simply make their lives more enjoyable. They can even add (or remove) additional panels to the tracks in order to make enclosed interior spaces. Rather than staying a static entity, the building becomes a dynamic, flexible one. It can adapt to any number
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Second, it allows for adaptation depending on the external environment’s conditions. In summer, the sun is bright and the weather, fair. So, the southerly spaces can be converted to balconies: rather than sitting with the sun in their eyes, users can work inside, and go out and enjoy the summer breeze on breaks. Or, the intermediary spaces can be made entirely outdoors, allowing one to catch a breath of fresh air while walking about the office.
The panels are anchored to a grid of tracks in the ceiling above.
Small wheels move the panels along the tracks when specified with the control panel.
This system is discreet, yet simple and effective.
Last, it allows tenants the ability to personalize their spaces depending on their desires. If a firm wants an open-plan office, they can leave the walls be. If they want enclosed offices and meeting rooms, they can add additional panels and slide them into place. And even, if they want to create a temporary office for a weeklong project? That option is open to them.
An open-plan office space with adjoining project rooms.
Two open-plan spaces for separate companies, with a communal balcony.
Small office spaces interspersed with outdoor spaces.
Ultimately, with this movable panel-wall system, the shape of the building is up to the user. The next level of architectural functionality has been staring us in the face this whole time... the writing’s on the walls!
Possible configurations: On Left: During a recession. On Right: During an economic boom.