Kinetic design permits portions of a building to work autonomously without compromising the structure's structural integrity. The idea is as old as drawbridges in the Middle Ages and as current as building exterior designs that adapt to natural factors. Kinetic design is based on the principle that certain elements in a building, such as walls or roofs, will react against gravity to provide stability if other elements are weakened by fire or other disasters.
In modern buildings, kinetic design is used primarily to prevent damage to structures during earthquakes. Small movements of adjoining objects can be amplified through mechanical connections and turned into large-scale results at ground level. For example, the movement of a door can cause a window to rise up in its frame, thereby protecting both itself and its environment from earthquake damage.
Modern buildings with significant amounts of concrete often include some form of seismic reinforcement to ensure structural integrity. However, this does not protect interior components such as furniture and artwork which may be damaged by an earthquake. Seismic design aims to reduce the impact of any future event by reducing or eliminating damage to these types of items.
Interior designers use kinetic design to create experiences for their clients that they believe will be fun and exciting. For example, a room might have a waterfall feature which uses small motors to slowly turn a tap off and on so that water flows when you enter the room but stops when you leave.
A kinetic engineer is an engineer who focuses on heat and mass transmission and is involved in the design process. Kinetic engineers are responsible for designing machinery like cars, trucks, and airplanes as well as industrial equipment such as turbines and generators.
Many industries require kinetic energy to operate components such as motors, pumps, and gearboxes. These industries need people with training in mechanical engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering to create efficient machines that convert chemical energy into kinetic energy.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of job opportunities for kinetic engineers will increase significantly by 2018. This is because current trends toward green technology will only continue and be expanded upon.
Kinetic engineers use principles from mechanics, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics to design products that use energy efficiently. They also use software tools such as solid modeling programs to help them visualize their designs before building them.
Because many industries require these types of technologies, there are many different ways to become employed as a kinetic engineer. If you have an interest in this field, consider pursuing a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or industrial engineering along with some form of professional development coursework related to your interest in kinetics.
The structural and mechanical systems of architecture are critical to its operation. These systems, in turn, adapt to the limits of the location, program, and building technology available. Architects should have a firm grasp on the physical processes that drive the building's creation and functioning. This understanding allows them to best utilize those processes to meet the needs of the building and its program.
Architecture has many different names in many different languages around the world. In English, it is called arquitectura or architectonics. In German, it is called Baukunst or Bausteine. In French, it is called art de la construction or d'habitation. In Spanish, it is called arquitectura or arqitectura. And in Chinese, it is called kuàijiù (楼配).
In short, architecture means the art of building.
When a structure is built according to an accurate plan, it becomes a part of the landscape and can only be altered by natural forces or human intervention. As such, architecture is the art of planning and designing buildings and structures.
This definition makes it clear that architects design buildings. But an architect also includes people who design parts of larger projects such as town planners or landscape architects. An architect is usually hired for projects that require special expertise that no one person possesses fully.
Architects use chemical products to assist enhance performance, energy efficiency, and durability in the design and construction of new houses, schools, workplaces, and other structures. Architects who complete the course will grasp how chemistry improves material function, features, and performance. They will also learn about the health risks associated with certain chemicals used in building materials and practices.
Chemistry has been an important part of architecture since its beginnings. Ancient architects created designs using stone, wood, and clay without the help of chemical compounds. In the Renaissance and Baroque periods, artists began to use paint and stucco on a large scale, introducing new materials into architecture that could not be replaced like copper pipes or steel beams. During the Industrial Revolution, chemists developed new substances that were essential to the growth of industry and commerce, allowing architects to use metals for structural components for the first time. Modern-day architects continue to rely on chemistry to create new materials that are more efficient, sustainable, and safe than those available decades ago. For example, architects have used nanotechnology to develop clothing that is antibacterial and self-cleaning. They have also used graphene, a two-dimensional sheet of carbon, to make buildings that are lighter than air so they can be supported only by their own weight and not by pillars or beams.
Wright believed in designing spaces that were both practical and compassionate, focused not just on the aesthetic of a building but also on how it would interact with and enhance the lives of those who lived within it. Furthermore, his organic design concept, at its foundation, asserts that architecture has a link with its period and location. Thus, it is essential for historians of architecture to examine existing structures within their context before proposing changes or new developments.
One must remember that Wright designed more than 50 buildings during his lifetime, so it is not easy to generalize about his architectural philosophy. However, one can say that he tended to use nature as his main inspiration, focusing on functionality and ease of construction while attempting to achieve maximum natural light and ventilation inside the building.
Some other important ideas that guide Wright's work include:
- The need for architecture to be both functional and expressive through form
- The belief that good design is based on understanding one's audience or users. That is, good design is "user-centered" rather than "designer-centered"
- The idea that great architecture should make a positive contribution to our environment by using renewable resources and minimizing its impact on the world around it
- The importance of tradition and history when creating architecture
- The belief that architects should be active participants in civic life and have some influence over the decisions that affect their communities
The notion of functionalism in architecture states that structures should be created simply for their purpose and function. This notion is causing consternation and debate within the industry, particularly in modern architecture, because it is less obvious than it looks. The word "function" has more than one meaning, so let's discuss each in turn.
First, there is the technical sense of function. In engineering, a structure's function is its primary purpose; for example, the function of a chair is to support its occupant, while that of a table is to provide a surface upon which to place objects. In this sense, all buildings have functions-they are supposed to shelter someone from the weather, contain people inside when it rains, etc.-but some buildings use their space more efficiently than others do. A factory is designed to make products, so it will be efficient at doing so; a house should be too, although not all houses are.
Then there is the formal sense of function. This refers to the secondary role buildings play within their cultural contexts. For example, a church is considered to have a religious function, even though this fact isn't always apparent from just looking at it. The formal role of a building often influences how we use it, but sometimes our needs change the form of the building itself. For example, a chapel can be used as an auditorium if required.
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