Prototyping Interactive Nonlinear Nano-to-Micro Scaled Material Properties and Effects at the Human Scale

摘要

The goal of the eSkin project is to explore materiality from nano to macroscales based upon an understanding of the dynamics of human cell behaviors. Immediately at hand, is the necessity to understand, speculate, test and simulate which nonlinear nano-to-micro scaled material properties are possible at the architectural scale. The synergistic, bottom-up approach across diverse disciplines, including cell-matrix biology, materials science & engineering, electrical & systems engineering, and architecture brings about a new paradigm to construct intelligent and sustainable building skins that engage users at an aesthetic level. In this paper, we present two human scale prototypes combining real-time presence detection with specialized display technology and interactive computer simulation. The prototypes probe the possible features and effects of eSkin at the scale of a building facade unit.