Switching transformation for soft pneumatic adaptive shading

Abstract

Soft pneumatic systems are one of the alternatives for adaptive building envelopes. They use air under pressure to obtain a movement to change the level of permeability of the façade of a building exposed to solar radiation. Despite the environmental potential of this technical solution, there is limited publications focused on soft pneumatic systems. Soft pneumatic systems are mentioned, briefly, in several publications on adaptive systems [1],[2] but there are limited details on switchable fritted layers applied to inflated ETFE cushions for architectural applications [3]. Based on the literature review, it was found that switching transformation type was rarely developed compared with other transformation type. It was only found in the switchable fritted layers.