Hybrid environmental-media facade: full-scale prototype panel fabrication

This paper reports the design, fabrication and evaluation strategies of full-scale aluminium panel prototypes developed for a kinetic hybrid facade system. The concept of a hybrid facade system was proposed as a solution to maximise the value of kinetic intelligent building systems by repurposing the animation sunscreening as a low-resolution media display. The overarching research project investigates the potential, feasibility and real-life applications of a hybrid facade that integrates the: environmental, media and individual micro-control functions in one compound system that operates through autonomous wirelessly controlled hexagonal rotating panels. The study explores new ways of communication and connectivity in architectural and urban context, utilising and fusing together a wide range of technologies including: artificial intelligence, robotics, wireless control technologies, calibration of physical and digital simulations, development of fully autonomous self-organised and powered units and the use of additive digital manufacturing. This article reports the third research stage of the hybrid facade project development - the manufacture of full scale panel prototypes.