Butterfly Kinetic Shading System
Butterfly Kinetic Shading System
Butterfly Kinetic Shading System
Butterfly Kinetic Shading System
Butterfly Kinetic Shading System
Butterfly Kinetic Shading System
Butterfly Kinetic Shading System
A robust shading system meets the delicate beauty of nature — delightful effects ensue. Portland-based ZGF Architects was looking for a way to mitigate heat in the 700-person event space of Amazon’s new headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, which boasts 27.5-metre-by-11-metre floor-to-ceiling windows. It required a state-of-the-art solution to block the south-facing facade while still allowing light in. To this end, the architects worked with Levolux to create the strikingly beautiful Butterfly Kinetic Shading System with a perforated pattern inspired by butterfly wings.
Rotating automatically to follow the sun’s path, the custom kinetic shading system mitigates glare, optimizes natural light and reduces energy consumption. At one-and-a-half metres wide each, the 18 pairs of kinetic solar shading devices (aptly named “butterflies”) soar 11 metres high to cover the entire south-facing curtain wall. If needed, the panels can be manually operated to darken the room at a moment’s notice, accommodating the event space’s many uses. Boosted by a specially textured paint that diffuses interior lighting and reduces contrasts, the distinct geometric pattern casts organic shadows along the floors, enlivening the entire space.
Team: Michael Zhao; ZGF Architects (Designer); Levolux (Manufacturer); Clark Construction (Contractor)
A state-of-the-art screen solution blocks the sun from the south-facing facade while still allowing light in.
