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When you think of robotics, architecture probably is not what first comes to mind. But design company line+, of Hangzhou, China, partnered with robotics systems company RoboticPlus.AI to create a dynamic building like no other.
The public building, Lotus by the Xiangjiang River in Changsha, in Hunan, China, has a central observation hall that raises and lowers on hydraulics to give people a view of the river. Its 78 square meters (840 square feet) of floor space is surrounded by a deployable skin divided into nine rounded hexagon EFTE membrane “petals” that overlap. They open and close to create views or privacy for the people inside, based on programmed settings. It takes about 35 seconds to raise or lower the 3.5 meters (11.5 feet).
The companies’ partnership didn’t involve the typical unidirectional process from idea to design to construction. It was more collaborative throughout, a “spiral-forward interactive working method,” says Zhu Peidong, co-founder and chief architect of line+. The collaboration included digital design, intelligent factory component production and the installation of prefab components.
“We believe that with the advancement of technology and continued design innovation, future architecture will no longer be static displays,” says Zhu. “Instead, they will become dynamic, organic spaces capable of actively responding to environmental changes and meeting diverse human needs.”
Project Title: Lotus by the Xiangjiang River in Changsha
Company: line+
Location: Hunan, Changsha, China
Fabrics: ETFE membrane
Architect: Zhu Peidong, line+
Fabrication: RoboticPlus.AI
Images: line+/CAAI/Li Yi