The Institut du Monde Arabe Responds to Daylight
Meghan Young — September 19, 2010 — Eco
References: imarabe.org & greatbuildings
If you merely glance at the Institut du Monde Arabe, you would think that this structure was special. The exterior is beautifully intricate, a stunning Parisian take on Islamic culture. Yet those walls are more than just artful interpretation, they are also as high-tech as they come.
Designed by Jean Nouvel, the Institut du Monde Arabe's walls actually dilate in response to daylight. This allows the building to control thermal exposure and internal lighting. Consisting of 30,000 mechanical apertures, this is certainly one complex structure.
Designed by Jean Nouvel, the Institut du Monde Arabe's walls actually dilate in response to daylight. This allows the building to control thermal exposure and internal lighting. Consisting of 30,000 mechanical apertures, this is certainly one complex structure.
Trend Themes
1. Dynamic Architecture - The trend of dynamic architecture is evident in the radical dilating walls of the Institut du Monde Arabe, showcasing the potential for adaptive structures based on environmental factors.
2. Smart Building Materials - The use of smart building materials, such as the mechanically-apertured walls of the Institut du Monde Arabe, opens up opportunities for innovative construction methods that respond to changing conditions.
3. Sustainable Design - The Institut du Monde Arabe's ability to control thermal exposure and lighting through its dilating walls highlights the growing importance of sustainable design principles in architecture and construction.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - The architecture industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by integrating dynamic elements, such as dilating walls, into their designs to enhance energy efficiency and user experience.
2. Construction - The construction industry has the potential to implement smart building materials, like mechanically-apertured walls, to create structures that can adapt and optimize their performance in real-time.
3. Environmental Design - Environmental design professionals can leverage the concept of dilating walls to develop sustainable solutions that take into account both aesthetic and functional factors for improved building performance.
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