A morphology of pattern for kinetic facades

Kinetic facades offer new compositional opportunities based on the design of patterns of movement. There is the capacity for novel form, but minimal knowledge in the design of kinetics. As a way forward, this research addresses two questions - what is the range of kinetic patterns, and what nomenclature may robustly describe pattern range? Results from a series of scripted animations utilizing a range of techniques are analyzed, and from this a set of terms for describing the morphology of kinetic pattern is developed. Kinetics is conceived as state change: the terms used to describe states are wave, fold, and field; a full range of patterns can be described as variants of these three simple states; or as intermediate or compound state transitions. © pum, 2009.