CASCADE WALL
DETROIT, MICHIGAN
The goal of this project was to bring functional movement into architecture. This kinetic wall was designed with two intentions; the first is to make an open floor plan multi-purposeful. The second is to display the textile works woven by the client. The wall moves across the floor laterally to redefine the space. The featured movement was inspired by the Jacob’s Ladder children’s toy. It cascades down, displaying different textiles. The textiles can be changed out for different showcases by lowering and raising the panels.
Professor: Stephen Duff
Project in Collaboration with:
Rachelle Byarlay
Tyler Mortenson
SCENARIOS
The floor plan is split into two equal parts for a workshop and a living space.
use: daily
The floor plan is divided into a large area for social events and a small area to hide the work space.
use: monthly
The floor space is maximized for exhibitions.
use: seasonally
MOVEMENTS
MOVEMENT 1: LOWER & RAISE
changing textiles and maintenance
Time: 2 minutes
Frequency: annually/seasonally
Driving Mechanism: worm drive with pulleys and counterweights and human manipulation of panels or stability
Locking Mechanism: none
MOVEMENT 2: LATERAL
adjusting the position of the wall
Time: each panel to be moved in less than 1 minute
Frequency: once a week
Driving Mechanism: human power that is stabilized by a barn door overhead track system with bearing wheels at the floor
Locking Mechanism: lever actuated pins that slide into barn door track wheels
MOVEMENT 3: CASCADE
exhibiting textiles
Time: 15 minute intervals
Frequency: only used during exhibition of works
Driving Mechanism: scotch yoke with a motor
Locking Mechanism: none
