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Project Ideation
Project Ideation
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects
My project explores how architecture can become more interactive and responsive. Traditional facades are usually static and passive. This project aims to create a kinetic façade that reacts to people moving around it making the building feel alive and dynamic.
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
This project is a kinetic wall installation made of small panels arranged in a grid. Each panel (or pair of panels) can rotate using a servo motor. The movement is triggered by a proximity sensor that detects when a person gets close to the wall.
The idea is to make the wall feel "alive" — when someone walks near it, the panels closest to them start to rotate, while others stay still. This creates a beautiful gradient motion effect across the surface.
The wall reacts locally: only the area near the person moves, and as they walk by, the pattern changes. The further the person is from a panel, the less it moves.
This project is inspired by interactive architecture and kinetic facades like the Penumbra Louvres, which rotate to control sunlight. But in our case, the movement is not about sunlight — it's about human interaction and playful motion.
Key features:
Grid of panels (e.g. 5x5 or 6x6)
Servo motor for each panel or pair of panels
Proximity sensor (ultrasonic or IR)
Arduino board controls the movement
Movement based on distance from viewer (closer = more rotation)
The installation is designed to be fun, responsive, and visually dynamicو blending design, electronics, and architecture
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
Project Planning
Project Planning
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
Construction Parts
Frame: Plywood or acrylic, about 1m × 1m, holds all the panels.
Small Panels: MDF, acrylic, or cardboard, about 2cm × 2cm, can rotate.
Hinges / Rods: Metal or plastic pivots to connect and move the panels.
Servo Motors: Small motors to rotate the panels.
Support Base: Wood or metal stand to keep the frame stable.
Connectors: Screws, glue, or bolts to fix all parts together.
Input
(Sensing, Tactile Input, and/or Graphical Input)
Ultrasonic Sensor (HC-SR04): Detects if someone is closer than 50 cm. Sends a signal to Arduino.
(IR Sensor: Works in bright light instead of ultrasonic.
Arduino Board: Reads sensor signals and controls the servo motor
Action
(Physical and/or Graphic)
The main action of this project is physical movement.
When the system detects someone nearby, it sends a signal to the servo motors.
The servo motors then rotate the panels by a certain angle (e.g. 45° or 90°), creating a wave-like or gradient motion across the surface.
The rotation happens only in the panels closest to the person, so the wall appears to "respond" locally.
As the person moves along the wall, the pattern changes in real-time
Brain
Arduino Uno: The main controller of the project.
It receives data from the sensors (input).
It sends commands to the servo motors (output) to move the panels.
Power Management
ower Source: 5V USB power bank or 5V adapter to supply electricity.
Arduino Power: Arduino board powered from the same 5V source.
Motors Power: Servo motors also powered from the 5V supply (with enough current for all motors).
Wiring: Use a breadboard or power distribution board to connect power to Arduino, sensors, and motors.
Switch: Simple on/off switch to control the whole system.
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
Panels are closes
Panels rtating
scarf pin working as pins
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
Minimum Features: are the least amount of features that would demonstrate the coverage of all the technical modules and their complete integration
Complete Features: are the set of features that will complete your original project objective and vision
Nice-to-have Features: are the extra set of features that will make the project cooler, yet they need extra time, effort, and/or resources to finish
Minimum User Features
Feature 1: Panels rotate when user approaches
Action: Servo motor rotates one or more panels
Sensing: Ultrasonic sensor detects distance of user
User Input: None
Complete User Features
feature 2: Only nearby panels rotate based on proximity
Action: Multiple servo motors rotate selected panels
Sensing: Ultrasonic sensor array OR one sensor mounted on sliding rail / rotating base
User Input: None
Feature 3: Panels return to original position after no user is detected
Action: Servo motors reset panel angle
Sensing: Timer + ultrasonic sensor (no motion detected)
User Input: None
Nice-to-have User Features
Feature 4: Light embedded in panel activates when it rotates
Action: LED lights turn on/off with servo movement
Sensing: Same ultrasonic trigger as panel movement
User Input: None
Feature 5: Use gesture or mobile app to manually control panel pattern
Action: Pre-programmed panel motion via servo
Sensing: Bluetooth or gesture sensor
User Input: Smartphone app or hand gestures
Feature 6: Panels move in artistic wave patterns when idle
Action: Coordinated servo movement in waves or curves
Sensing: None (idle loop)
User Input: None
7- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
7- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
Component/Material
Amount
Link
piano hinge
4
Small Hinges / Pivots
4
MG996R Servo Motor 360° 11 kg.cm Metal Gears
MG996R Servo Motor 360° 11 kg.cm Metal Gears
4
8- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
8- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
Task
Sub-Tasks
From:
To:
3 Days for Design
2 days for fabrication
5 days for electronics setup
2 days for testing and finishing
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