Dynamic Shelter Structure

Dynamic building envelopes have entered the mainstream practice of architecture
in the last decades. Such dynamic systems are capable of changing their geometric configurations
repeatedly and reversibly relative to environmental conditions and occupant requirements. Thus,
they may offer innovative building solutions by folding, expanding or curling. This study proposes
a dynamic shelter structure that provides several shape options in response to the changing
needs. In order to generate the shelter structure, first, loop assembly method used for developing
the structure is introduced. Then, a parametric model is built in Grasshopper® not only to analyze
the geometric properties of the loops and their alternative geometric forms but also to develop a
flexible tool allowing changes at topological, geometrical and structural levels. Based on the geometric
analysis, the structural mechanism is constructed. Transformation capability and possible
configurations are studied. The proposed structure can transform itself into multiple forms (from
planar con-figuration to S-shaped and reversed S-shaped configurations) with single DOF although
the existing single DOF scissor structures can deploy between two geometric shapes.