As part of the upgrade of a 1980s Seoul skyscraper, UnStudio has revealed plans for a responsive façade that controls the indoor climate during the day and puts on a dynamic light show at night.
The new animated façade will transform the office headquarters of renewable energy company Hanwha Group and contribute towards significantly reducing their energy consumption.
Working with engineering firm Arup, UNStudio has calculated the geometry of positioning insulated glass and aluminium framing in relation to the movement of the sun, so as to increase natural lighting in the offices and regulate the temperature indoors.
The architects have made the southern side of the building, which absorbs the most sun, more opaque and kept the northern side transparent.
Glazing on the glass is also angled to reduce the impact of direct sunlight, and photovoltaic panels will rest on the southern façade to harvest solar energy.
When the sun goes down, the façade becomes lit up by hundreds of LED lights that are programmed to change in appearance based on the movements of pedestrians and vehicles on the street below.
Courtesy Fast Company
