The aim of the project is the basic investigation and trial -based study of a novel form of convertible shell consisting of foldable surfaces. As possible applications, but also foldable wall elements or the combination are especially roofing, beyond them to imagine. The convertible sheath consists of individual surfaces which are permanently connected together along their edges. By a simple folding mechanism - similar to the Japanese origami - you can open and fold back the cover so that they can be stored on a small area. If required, the casing should be installed with minimal design effort. There are different Ausfaltmechanismen conceivable which can be extended for example the shears or cable systems by means of a motor drive. The thus -designed products offer the one hand, protection from sun and rain, on the other hand are the elements - as required - as acoustic elements can be performed for example for events. The system thus differs fundamentally from conventional convertible structures, which are typically performed as membrane structures and only have sun protection. The contribution of structural principle of folded plates has been known for many years, it is, however, are exclusively non-convertible, i.e. in final form fixed building envelopes. The proposed project uses apart from the structural principle advantage of the process of folding as a design principle. Through this mechanism new design also gives rise to a new form language for convertible roofs, which derives directly from the construction. Project duration:
2013 – 2015 Financing:
Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) Project management:
HOG Architektur AG Project partnerships:
Institute of Structural Design, TU Graz
SFL Technologies GmbH
Sattler AG
City of Graz