Arup has announced that Russell Fortmeyer, LEED AP, BD+C, an associate in Arup's Los Angeles office, has co-authored a book on kinetic architecture with industry expert Charles Linn, FAIA, an architect who has specialized in architectural journalism for more than 25 years. Kinetic Architecture: Designs for Active Envelopes was published in April by Images Publishing Dist Ac. The foreword is written by well-known German architect Christoph Ingenhoven.
The Scottish architect and professor Alan Dunlop, in his review in the April issue of 'The Architects Journal,' wrote that the book succeeds as it "explores in a comprehensive and rigorous manner how contemporary architects have reacted to escalating international concern over the use of natural resources and climate change by modulating their designs to consume less energy, perform better and respond to site context."
The book is focused on facades as the intersection of energy and human comfort, as well as aesthetics, with a detailed exploration of the historical use of facades as dynamic building elements. The book illustrates the various ways architects, facade consultants, and engineers approach energy and comfort by manipulating air, water, and light through the layers of passive and active building envelope systems.
Common techniques include shading strategies, such as high-performance operable blinds, double-skinned facade systems that create an active thermal barrier with accommodations for seasonal adjustments, and the simple practice of installing lift-and-pivot replacement windows. It also explores radically new ideas in facade technology, such as hydronic shroud systems that run water through porous ceramic pipes to create an evaporative cooling effect blanketing a building's exterior. Most examples are geared at reducing solar heat gain in buildings in warm climates, or reducing heat loss in colder climates.
"This book is meant to illustrate that dynamic approaches to high-performance design are more common than one might think, and that it's not out of the question for designers of projects large and small to consider these systems," said Fortmeyer. "The applications discussed within the book apply to a range of building projects, from highly sophisticated technically advanced buildings to those with an almost do-it-yourself aesthetic."
The main objective of Kinetic Architecture is to explore innovative design and construction practices that promote energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, and comfort. It discusses the trend towards energy and facade consultants becoming a single role, embracing a belief that the building envelope is increasingly the key component for delivering energy efficiency for buildings.
It also identifies the emerging market for controls, sensors, and dynamic building systems that place kinetic facades within reach of a variety of architectural projects, with a conclusion that considers future developments in facade technology that consider energy generation, water purification, and other responses to pressing need for environmental sustainability.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2022
Top 90 Construction Management Firms for 2022
CBRE, Alfa Tech, Jacobs, and Hill International head the rankings of the nation's largest construction management (as agent) and program/project management firms for nonresidential and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2022
Top 200 Contractors for 2022
Turner Construction, STO Building Group, Whiting-Turner, and DPR Construction top the ranking of the nation's largest general contractors, CM at risk firms, and design-builders for nonresidential buildings and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2022
Top 80 Engineering Firms for 2022
Kimley-Horn, Tetra Tech, Langan, and NV5 head the rankings of the nation's largest engineering firms for nonresidential buildings and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 21, 2022
Top 110 Architecture/Engineering Firms for 2022
Stantec, HDR, HOK, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture engineering (AE) firms for nonresidential and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 20, 2022
Top 180 Architecture Firms for 2022
Gensler, Perkins and Will, HKS, and Perkins Eastman top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture firms for nonresidential and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 19, 2022
2022 Giants 400 Report: Tracking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
Now 46 years running, Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report rankings the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. This year a record 519 AEC firms participated in BD+C's Giants 400 report. The final report includes more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Airports | Jul 18, 2022
FAA will award nearly $1 billion for airport projects
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award nearly $1 billion to 85 airports of all sizes across the country to improve terminals.
Airports | Jul 8, 2022
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport’s new terminal prioritizes passenger experience and sustainability
McCarthy Building Companies recently completed construction of the final concourse in Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Airports | Jul 7, 2022
Love at first flight: The power of first impressions in airports
As architects, how we design a terminal and choreograph the passenger experience can stir up strong feelings.
Airports | Jun 29, 2022
BIG and HOK’s winning design for Zurich airport’s new terminal
Two years ago, Zurich Airport, which opened in the 1950s, launched an international design competition to replace the aging Dock A—the airport’s largest dock.
