Kinetic means ‘of motion’ which comes from the Greek word kinētikos. Looking back at the history we understand that majorly all the structures were static and the only reformation was due to time and its effect on the materials. By the 21st century, architects and interior designers are striving to incorporate new materials and technological advancements into their designs. With the constant need for reformation in our lives, architects around the world developed the concept of Kinetic Technology. Kinetic Buildings are a flexible and environment-conscious concept that allows certain elements to rearrange or re-adapt according to climatic conditions. The dynamic potential of kinetic technology is not just restricted to building façades but also extends to kinetic interiors. New trends in interior design aim for flexibility and futuristic elements. The need for optimal utilization of spaces impacts humans’ connection to their surrounding spatial spaces. Interactive design constantly proves the implementation of the interior architectural design approach of Kinetic Interiors. This intermingling of design and science is a ‘win-win’ situation for all its beneficiaries.
History of Kinetic Design
Kinetic design can be dated back to the Middle Ages when the rudimentary forms of kinetic architecture were used such as the drawbridge. However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that architects started to talk openly about the idea of allowing mobility for a substantial component of a building’s superstructure. Interest in kinetic architecture was one of the schools of thought that sprang from the Futurism movement in the first third of the 20th century.
The book Kinetic architecture, written by engineer-turned-architect William Zuk, was released in 1970. It served as an inspiration for a new wave of architects to create an expanding number of functional kinetic structures.
Why Kinetic Interiors?
Kinetic Interiors are linked to the internal configuration of the built space. The idea behind introducing Kinetics to architecture and interior is to make the built parts environmentally responsive. With the development and discovery of more advanced building materials, architects started considering the idea of integrating kinetic features into the superstructure. The technology encompasses sensors that respond to environmental changes. These profound interventions support the passive systems of sustainability.
Design can gain another depth with the addition of a kinetic interior. Application of kinetic to design can-
- Enhance the aesthetics of the space.
- Reacts to the surrounding environment and the recipients
- Create multi-functional design- a solution and treatment for space constraint area
The functionality of Kinetic Interiors
- Flexibility
It is the capability for changing according to need and uses. Reuse of elements in a multifunctional manner benefits economic and ecological sustainability. An example of flexibility could be small interventions like a movable wall that can be altered or removed to make a larger space. The walls can be altered, cubicles can be added or removed.
- Adaptability
The capacity to support multi-function without alteration, like movable partitions, and repositionable furniture. The effort of improving daily activities must be built upon by developing an architecture that expands our capacities. Adaptive reaction to change must intelligently manage human activity and the environment.
- Transformability
It is both temporary and permanent. This type of flexibility in design does not require special construction. There are two subsets of transformability- movable and responsive.
Movable elements are suitable for repositioning with a space. The change is not permanent but may require greater effort or money than other flexibilities.
Responsive elements changes according to outside conditions, like the weather. They allow a greater scope of changes and are labor-intensive.
- Convertibility
It addresses a broader aspect of flexibility. Convertibility supports change in the built environment at a reduced construction cost and time. It responds well to larger time and spatial alterations.
In designing sustainable kinetic interiors, the use of green building materials plays an important role. Green building resources are renewable and are made from recycled materials or could be recycled back to nature.
Green materials bring efficiency by reducing the adverse effects of short-termed toxic materials. The combination of raw materials and recycled materials increases the adaptability of the environment.
Even greater sustainability may be achieved with a well-designed dynamic structure. Maintaining a pleasant inside environment, for instance, might ease the strain on the installed HVAC systems.
A new chance to create elements in a creative, effective, and useful method is opened up by addressing architecture and design from a growing trend, like kinetics. The notion of movement in architecture is a way to investigate, explore and propose a meaningful impact. The kinetic interaction between architecture and its environment has a great impact on one’s experience.
As the advancement in technology keeps increasing, who knows what the future upholds in the field of kinetic interiors. It’s a fresh way of looking at architecture and interior design as a responsive, intelligent kinetic system to the patterns and flows of daily life. Future technologies like these should be welcomed. How do you feel?
Reference List
- Serbedzija, M.M. (n.d.). Best Examples of Kinetic Design. [online] DesignCommunication.net. Available at: https://www.designcommunication.net/design/best-examples-of-kinetic-design.
- Hassanein, H. (2019). Utilization of ‘Multiple Kinetic Technology KT’ in Interior Architecture Design as Concept of Futuristic Innovation. The Academic Research Community publication, 2(4), p.331. doi:10.21625/archive.v2i4.370.
- Razaz, Z.E. (2010). Sustainable vision of kinetic architecture. Journal of Building Appraisal, 5(4), pp.341–356. doi:10.1057/jba.2010.5.
- BuildNext Connect. (2020). Kinetic Architecture: All You Need To Know About Movable Buildings. [online] Available at: https://connect.buildnext.in/kinetic-architecture-all-you-need-to-know-about-movable-buildings/.
- issuu.com. (n.d.). KINETIC ARCHITECTURE by Pragya Bharati – Issuu. [online] Available at: https://issuu.com/pragyabharati/docs/ilovepdf_merged.
