The Prototyping of a Shading Device Controlled by a Cellular Automaton

For quite a while architects have been dreaming of architecture that can change its appearance. The motivation for such a change ranges from rational adaptation to environmental variation according to a time of day, season, or temperature, to pure aesthetics and ordinary commercialism. One of the most recognized examples is Jean Nouvel’s Arab World Institute in Paris, where 30 000 light-sensitive diaphragms were installed on the south facade. The diaphragms are high-tech photosensitive mechanical devices for controlling light levels and transparency of the facade. Most notably, they stopped operating soon after the facility launched [1]. This paper presents the fabrication process for a prototype of a modular system built from identical units that could be applied on a building facade. This system is based on one-dimensional cellular automata (1D CAs). It creates interesting patterns and can be controlled to a certain extent [2]. The most important reasons for applying CAs in this case are: