Kinetic Architecture

description

The Venerable Lift - A hand-powered wheelchair lift for vertical access in a two storey house. 

Frequently in old age, frailty and infirmity set in, limbs ache and joints become stiff, Movements from room to room become onerous. Journeys from floor to floor become insurmountable trials of will. Typically, vertical circulation for the elderly is cold and impersonal, often serving as an unpleasant visual reminder of weekness, take for example wheelchair lifts or pneumatic lifts.

How do we create human powered and aesthetically pleasing vertical circulation that gives the elderly the opportunity to move safely and independently? 

description

Helioshade is a kinetic shading device design by Jesi Carson, King Tang, Jeremy Katich, Jennifer Chung & Jordi Vilanova for the Kinetic Architecture course offered by the University of Oregon instructed by Stephen Duff. 

Problem:
+ Interior shading devices do not prevent entry of solar radiation
+ Static, exterior vertical louvers are often inadequate, requiring structurally implausible depths or sacrificing views

Objectives:
+ Limit the amount of solar radiation on West and East facing facades
+ Provide unobstructed views
+ Harness reflective northern light

Methods:
+ Precedent research
+ Sketch models
+ 3D screen-based modelling & shadow studies
+ Solar gain calculation

description

This is a solution to the opening and closing of clarestory windows. We wanted to make the kintetic architecture something that would be interesting to use, create a feel of nostalgia and use repurposed parts.

The parts were the gearboxes from the final drive of a wrecked Honda motorcycle.