Opportunities for Design and Construction on Pneubotic Structures in Architectures

Abstract

Actively adaptable and responsive structures in architecture have recently gained momentum thanks to the emergence of affordable programable controllers, various sensors, new deformable materials, increase in computing power, algorithmic complexity of design and driver software, and other technological improvements. A distinctive type of structures in art and architecture that emerged from this setting is pneubotics – a type of structures formed by combining robotics with pneumatic structures. In this work a simple analysis and basic classification of contemporary pneubotic structures in art and architecture is given to inform the design possibilities that opened with the emergence of this structural polytype. Based on the analysis of the characteristics they exhibit, various possible uses of pneubotics in architectural design are proposed. These range from soft adaptable seismic insulation, adaptable frame structures, self-erecting structures, protective, control and otherwise technical devices, building envelope, etc. Given the early development of soft adaptable and responsive pneumatic structures these proposals should be taken rather as an inspiration for further research and development.