Bucky Lab | Cool Containers Series – Project 9/16
When Sunshading Becomes a Personal Expression
A kinetic façade system that combines hydraulic movement, individual comfort and colourful architectural expression.
What if residents could not only control the sunlight entering their rooms but also influence the appearance of the building they live in? What if a façade could become a colourful reflection of the people behind it? With “Hydraulic Envelope,” a team of Bucky Lab students at TU Delft explored exactly this idea. Developed for the COA Zeist project, their concept introduces an adjustable sun-shading system that combines technical innovation with personal freedom and architectural expression.
A Façade That Responds to Its Residents
The design is based on triangular shading elements inspired by origami. Each element consists of a lightweight tubular structure covered with breathable polyester mesh fabric. Using a hydraulic mechanism, the triangular flaps can be positioned at five different angles: 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90°. This allows residents to adjust the amount of sunlight entering their rooms while simultaneously changing the appearance of the façade. The colourful fabric options add another dimension, transforming a repetitive building envelope into a lively composition of individual preferences.
Central Intelligence, Individual Freedom
One of the interesting aspects of Hydraulic Envelope is the combination of central building management and individual user control. The shading elements are designed to be managed by a central computer system, allowing coordinated operation across the building.However, residents can override this system at any time using a simple button. This approach explores how intelligent façade technology can balance building-wide operation with personal comfort and autonomy.
Engineering Movement into the Façade
Creating a moving façade requires careful consideration of mechanics, materials and connections.The students developed a triangular tubular framework with angled connectors, support rods and hydraulic struts. The system is integrated into a conventional window opening and supported by a modular construction. The design investigates how lightweight materials and relatively simple mechanical principles can create a flexible shading solution. The result is a façade concept that combines movement, adaptability and visual diversity.
More Than Just Sun Protection
“Hydraulic Envelope is not just about controlling sunlight. It is about giving residents a voice in the architecture around them.”
Beyond its technical function, the project explores an important social aspect of façade design: the relationship between a building and its occupants. By allowing residents to influence both shading and appearance, the façade becomes more than a passive building component. Further development would focus on the hydraulic mechanism, long-term durability, maintenance and the integration of individual control into a reliable building-wide system. A wonderful example of how façade technology can bring together engineering, individuality and a little architectural playfulness!
Project Team
Students: Amina el Yaakoubi, Doreen Pinas and Mridula Kumar.
Supervisors / Docents: Dr.-Ing. Marcel Bilow, Ir. Nadia Remmerswaal, Ir. Ate Snijder and Ir. Govert Flint.
Bucky Lab – TU Delft, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment
Project 9 of 16 in our Bucky Lab series exploring innovative cooling and façade solutions.
