These are academic papers related to interactive architecture and kinetic design only.

For a complete list of Michael's publications see Michael's CV
Popular Press publications can be found with images on the FoxLin Website Press Page
 

Papers/ Publications:

  • Beyond Kinetic (Best overview of the philosophy of the old MIT Kinetic Design Group)
    Abstract. This research develops a foundation for the application of embedded computation as a means to enhancing the performance of kinetic systems in architecture. The motivation lies in creating spaces and objects that can physically re-configure themselves to meet changing needs. The paper is focused on responsive spatial adaptability and also explores multi-use applications and automated kinetic response with respect to changing environmental conditions. The research illustrates six typological means of controlling kinetic motion in architecture from simple biometric control to high-level self-learning control. We demonstrate how high level kinetic systems can integrate a heuristic or learning capacity into the control mechanism. Such systems can learn through successful experiential adaptation to optimize a kinetic system or spatial form of an environment in response to change. When we look at the high levels of computer controlled kinetic systems behaviors an interesting phenomenon can also be observed with respect to actual physical built form. What we are describing is a structure as a mechanistic machine that is controlled by a separate non-mechanistic machine: the computer. The result is similar to creating a building like a body with a system of bones and muscles and tendons and augmenting that body with a brain that knows how to respond. In numerous applications then, much of the structure can be reduced through the ability of a singular system to facilitate multi-uses via transformative adaptability. The paper highlights several built examples by the author of kinetic systems with embedded computational intelligence and builds upon this precedent through identifying applications of both transformable kinetic objects occupying predefined physical space as well as how moving physical objects can share a common physical space to create adaptable spatial configurations.

  • Redesigning the Brick
    Abstract. This research examines the value of “redesigning the brick,” in creating a new vocabulary of basic architectural building blocks with autonomous reconfigurable robotics. Designers are moving away from traditional uses of automated mechanical devices in architecture to transformable systems that are made up of a number of small robots. The manufacturing technologies compounded with recent advancements in software (computational intelligence) for these systems allow robots to be increasingly smaller and smarter. Current advancements in evolutionary and self-assembling robots, specifically dealing with the scale of the building block and the amount of intelligent responsiveness that can be embedded in such modules, are setting new standards for robotics. As architects and designers familiarize themselves with more diverse, responsive, and autonomous robotic systems, they are beginning to understand ways to apply them to dynamic situational activities and build them into systems that make up architectural space. We propose that such new interactive assembly systems will bring new unprecedented levels of customization and reconfigurability to the architectural palette. Since it will be possible to build space out of parts that have the ability to reconfigure themselves, it is an architectural question as to how these pieces should come together and how these configurations will respond to the constant flow of information between inhabitants and space; to re-envision the creation of dynamic space.

  • Starting from the Micro: A pedagogical approach to designing Interactive Architecture
    Abstract. The paper outlines a pedagogical approach whereby a number of technology-intensive skills can be quickly learned to a level of useful practicality through a series of discrete, yet cumulative explorations with the design goal of creating intelligently responsive architectural systems.  The emerging area of responsive architecture serves as a practical means for inventing entirely new ways of developing spaces, and the designing and building environments that address dynamic, flexible and constantly changing needs. Responsive architecture is defined here as spaces and objects that can physically re-configure themselves to meet changing needs. The central issues explored are human and environmental interaction and behaviors, embedded computational infrastructures, kinetic and mechanical systems and physical control mechanisms. Being both multidisciplinary and technology-intensive in nature, architects need to be equipped with at least a base foundational knowledge in a number of domains in order to be able to develop the skills necessary to explore, conceive, and design such systems. The teaching methods were carried out with a group of undergraduate design students who had no previous experience in mechanical engineering, electronics, programming, or kinetic design with the goal of creating a responsive kinetic system that can demonstrate physical interactive behaviors on an applicable architectural scale.  We found the approach to be extremely successful in terms of psychologically demystifying unfamiliar and often daunting technologies, while simultaneously clarifying the larger architectural implications of the novel systems that had been created. The authors summarize the processes and tools that architects and designers can utilize in creating and demonstrating of such systems and the implications of adopting a more active role in directing the development of this new area of design

  • Intelligent Kinetic Systems in Architecture
    Abstract. This research develops a concept for the design and application of intelligent kinetic systems in architecture. Our motivation lies in creating spaces and objects that can physically re-configure themselves to meet changing needs. Intelligent kinetic systems arise from the isomorphic convergence of three key elements: structural engineering, sensor technology and adaptable architecture. At the intersection of these areas exists an unexplored physical architecture tuned to address today’s dynamic, flexible and constantly changing needs. Intelligent kinetic systems are unique to the field of architecture where objects are conventionally static, use is often singular, and responsive spatial adaptability is relatively unexplored.

  • Ephemeralization
    Abstract. Our capabilities of utilizing kinetics in architecture today can be extended far beyond what has previously been possible. This article looks at the potential of advanced kinetic architectural systems; what they are, what they can do for us, and how we can go about designing them. Advancement will only be accomplished when kinetic structures are addressed not primarily or singularly, but as an integral component of a larger system that takes advantage of today’s constantly unfolding and far-reaching technology. Necessary are the use of advanced computational design tools, material development and embedded computation. It is important to point out that this article shall remain safely grounded in science-fact and not science fiction. In other words, to make convincing extrapolations based on where we stand today through inclusively appreciating and marshalling correctly the existing facts with respect to technological development. The irony is that from an architectural standpoint we are in a relative infancy even with respect to our extrapolations, further exacerbating the matter is the foolishness to name what we are experiencing in terms of general technological advance as a revolution; it is an evolution, to which an end cannot be predicted outside the parameters of political and economical entanglement.
    Prior to explicitly defining why advanced kinetic architectural systems will be useful or even necessary, we will state simply that the motivation lies in creating spaces and objects that can physically re-configure themselves to meet changing needs. Such systems arise from the isomorphic convergence of three key elements: structural engineering, embedded computation and adaptable architecture as situated within the contextual framework of architecture.

  • Sustainable Applications of Intelligent Kinetic Systems
    Abstract. This paper focuses on applications of intelligent responsive kinetic systems for extending current techniques and technologies used to accomplish sustainable design in architecture. Kinetic and transportable systems in architecture have an inherent advantage for sustainable solutions in responding to changing environmental conditions, this paper looks the means by which the issues of energy efficiency and environmental quality of buildings could be technologically enhanced to be more efficient, affordable, and reach a broader audience of users. In these systems, computer systems interpret functional circumstances and direct the motor-controlled movements to change responsively and adaptively to better suit changing needs. This paper specifically identifies sustainable strategies integrating adaptability both in terms of physical transformations and in terms of computer control mechanisms used to optimally user needs. Numerous full-scale kinetic solutions in architecture have been implemented with a specific focus on sustainability, but they are typically passive, low-tech, and do not take of advantage of simple technology that could potentially optimize their performance. Numerous full-scale intelligent environments have already been successfully developed around the world with the goal of seamlessly embedding computation into the built environment. We expose unique and wholly unexplored applications for such systems beyond what has previously been developed with a special consideration to issues of sustainability in architectural built form. With a focus on the environmental benefits of such systems, as opposed to the user benefits, we are able to examine applications with an unbiased target clientele.

  • Deployable Multi-Story Settlements for Urban Environments
    Abstract. This paper demonstrates kinetic function as a technological design solution for an efficiently deployable building system used to flexibly maximize space in typically single story informal settlements.  The key attributes of the approach are its double height and flexibility, in terms of site-specific adaptability and space saving capabilities.  The strategy is locally cohesive in terms of population, economic development and environmental sensitivity with respect to materials use and reuse and potential public health benefits.  A scaled prototype is presented as a demonstrable testing environment for assessing the costs, schedule, and technology associated with construction, manufacture, erection, and deployment of kinetic building types in various local situations and environments.
  • Comparative Assessment of Corrugated Products for Kinetic Architectural Applications
    Abstract.This project addressed the product identification and design applications of corrugated products for kinetic architectural applications. General product identification and clasification was initially carried out with the end goal of making explicit a product database demonstrating application design principles and functional analysis of various novel architectural examples from the forest products industry for the specific use of architectural applications. A design and prototyping stage followed demonstrating application design principles and functional analysis of various novel architectural examples.
  • KDG/ Michael Fox is Featured in the book Mobile: The Art of Portable Architecture -- by Jennifer Siegal (Editor), (Numerous Projects and some text)
    Amazon.com
    Princeton Architectural Press

  • KDG/ Michael Fox is Featured in the book Transportable Environments 2 by Robert Kronenburg (Editor), Wong Yunn (Editor), Joseph Lim (Editor) (2 Seperate Chapters - with images)
    Amazon.com
    Routledge

    Michael Fox is Featured in the book 1:1 Architecture and Digital Fabrication: by Fabio Gramazio and Matias Kohler.
    Springer