Essay

By incorporating motion into architecture, designers give occupants another dimension by which to interact with their surroundings. Architects can not only communicate motion, but can also engage occupants in what it means to have transition and morphing states of architecture. When done properly, kinetic architecture can inspire, surprise and even touch the soul.

Kinetic interaction within architecture can greatly impact one’s experience. A designer embedding kinetics can often provide for a new kind of awareness as occupants travel through their design. For example, an occupant can be shown how to connect with nature in new ways via kinetics. 

Take; for instance, the “Church-Bridge” project pictured above. Here, occupants must make decisions to go further, stop or retreat while trying to maintain balance as they journey into the church. The “Church-Bridge” project has kinetic steps that rise from a pool of water within the church – simulating for occupants the experience of actually walking on water.

The best kinetic architecture is that which presents new architectural alignments and contrasts. Such new juxtapositions allow occupants to experience environments anew. When architecture can morph to renew experiences in real-time, then kinetic architecture has a better chance of doing its job — to lift the human spirit.

Image Credit: “Church-Bridge” by Michael Cross