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Hygrosensitive Shape-Shifting Facade,  | International Design Awards Winners
Hygrosensitive Shape-Shifting Facade,  | International Design Awards Winners
Hygrosensitive Shape-Shifting Facade,  | International Design Awards Winners
Hygrosensitive Shape-Shifting Facade,  | International Design Awards Winners
Hygrosensitive Shape-Shifting Facade,  | International Design Awards Winners
Hygrosensitive Shape-Shifting Facade,  | International Design Awards Winners
Hygrosensitive Shape-Shifting Facade,  | International Design Awards Winners
Hygrosensitive Shape-Shifting Facade,  | International Design Awards Winners
Hygrosensitive Shape-Shifting Facade,  | International Design Awards Winners
Hygrosensitive Shape-Shifting Facade,  | International Design Awards Winners
Hygrosensitive Shape-Shifting Facade,  | International Design Awards Winners

Hygrosensitive Shape-Shifting Facade

UniversityUniversity of Virginia, School of Architecture
Lead DesignersMingyue Nan, Zhenfang Chen, Liwei Liu
Design TeamMingyue Nan, Zhenfang Chen, Liwei Liu
Project LocationCharlottesville, Virginia
Prize(s)Silver in Other Architectural Designs / Other Architectural designs
Project LinkView
Entry Description

This research project presents a meteorosensitive kinetic façade system that passively responds to environmental Relative Humidity (RH) fluctuation by employing wood's natural hygroscopic behavior.
We aim to develop a façade prototype that is sustainable and can enhance the architectural experiences.
It unpacks on sunny days to provide shading and packs in rain days to bring in sunlight. Digital simulations were conducted to predict the curvature conditions and global performance. Grain orientation and moisture content are set as two major parameters to control the width between two rows.