Papilion is an environmentally responsive experimental architecture making use of soft robotics technology. The surface covering the dome can change shape by the wing-like units using actuators driven by temperature conditions. It seems that the building itself is breathing. This is a proposal for an architectural element, which differs from the usual hard ones.

The viewer can experience this surface adapting to the environment, inviting in light, moisture, and sound. The wing-like units of the surface are modular and can thus be replaced or expanded. It is also possible even to mass-produce cheap individual units using printing technology.

Selected Publication

Hiroki Sato, Kenichi Nakahara, Koya Narumi, Yasuaki Kakehi, Ryuma Niiyama, and Yoshihiro Kawahara, “Papilion,” Ars Electronica Festival, 2017. https://www.aec.at/ai/en/papilion/