Soft Architecture: Silicone Pneumatic Responsive Building Systems

Can the building envelope become programmable and environmentally responsive, drawing lessons from nature and geometry? This research attempts to answer these questions utilizing silicone pneumatics and geometric patterns as an integrated, reactive, modular system. Material tests were conducted to understand inflation and deflation mechanics, material feasibility, and programming possibilities. Following vigorous testing with a total of 23 silicone geometry prototypes, focused effort was applied toward developing an optimal geometry into a modular component system with structural support. An operable, full-scale prototype incorporating structural, electronic, and pneumatic components was constructed. Comprising 6 units roughly 2 feet wide and 3 feet tall, the prototype demonstrated the bionic qualities and organic nature of the inflated geometry and its ability to modulate aperture. The ultimate goal for the system is to achieve reactive semi-permeability responsive to the surrounding conditions – increasing energy efficiency and overall building intelligence on global and local scales.