Flexible Wall Precedents

In thinking about the flexible wall that we have been discussing, I thought it might be interesting to take a look at other flexible wall systems and solutions that have been done.

Softwall - molo Design
The first one is "softwall" which was a winner in one of the LightTouch competitions.
It's designed by molo Design in Vancouver B.C.
This type of system (shall we call it a fan system?) is certainly possible if we used vertical 2x members, the connecting piece between would need to be flexible or at least able to hinge.

Hyposurface - decoi
Decoi's Hyposurface wall is another flexible system this type hinged on the sides of the panels and shifting from the rear. The system I've had in mind for what our wall could be is something similiar to this, minus the computational control and hyrdraulics as our budget won't permit any automation.




Hoberman Arch - Salt Lake City - Chuck Hoberman
This is a arch that opens and closes over the Medal Stage at the 2002 Winter Olympics in SLC. The arch functions in a similar manner to the hoberman sphere toys you see all over. This is perhaps a more attractive option as we could use this type of interlocking plate system to create a more poetic movement.

ChainMail (interlocking system)
This is closer to Sam's idea.
Pros: We get 3-dimensional deformity.
Cons: No vertical stability without bearing on joints.

Tank Tread (interlocking system with vertical stability)
Pros: Stable, able to hold own weight
Cons: Not able to deform in section only in plan.


Feel free to add other systems to this post.

Sam - this would be a good spot to load some images of your school project if you still have some handy.