Interactive Pavilions

This thesis by Xiangru Chen is to design a mix-use pavilion, which detects occupancy and lighting/temperature conditions, and then transforms its structure in shape and scale to satisfy the spatial demands for the use. This study is aimed to enhance tectonic design from “form follows function“ to “form changes as function changes“, by applying interactive technology in the spatial transformation (reducing footprint and extending space) of the structure system, to serve today’s demand of flexible space.

The responsive pavilion will sense and respond to the varied gravity loads (for occupancy detection) and lights (for solar energy), with the spatial transformation of the entire structure system. As a result, the form of the architecture will follow the function. The project is aimed to be evaluated with these following characters: The sensibility of occupancy, The sensibility of lighting/temperature condition and The ability to transform for the variation in context.