Kinetic Canopy

Project idea

A hybrid urban infrastructure in Artvin that functions as a terraced neighborhood library transforming into an emergency operations base within 48 hours, utilizing a kinetic lifting system to elevate its volumes during floods and landslides, creating a resilient 'island of safety' and communication hub.

Project description

Located at the New Yusufeli Dam Settlement, the project addresses the collective trauma of displacement from valley floor to mountain slope across 135 years of history and 7 distinct settlements. Built from mass timber, the structure uses telescopic legs to elevate 4-5 meters during landslides for protection, while integrating with the ground during normal times to foster urban connection, maximize aerodynamic stability against lateral loads, and minimize costs. The site was selected for its dynamic slope and panoramic dominance, enabling a resilient terraced integration with the Yusufeli Dam reservoir. Hydroelectric power generation and seasonal rains cause water levels to rise and fall, while persistent water saturation disrupts slope balance, causing sudden floods and landslides.

Technical information

The structural system features CLT Receptacle Nodes with high-tolerance steel-to-timber connection plates distributing the lift load evenly across wooden slabs. The 'Umbilical Cord' consists of flexible bellows-style industrial piping for water, data, and electricity that expands without snapping as the building climbs. Telescopic actuators use industrial hydraulic steel sleeves for lifting. The lightweight kinetic structure achieves 70% weight reduction compared to traditional concrete, with mitigated soil pressure and adaptive survival characteristics versus rigid failure modes. The comparison shows traditional concrete has high dead load increasing sheer stress leading to rigid failure, while the lightweight kinetic system mitigates these issues.

Documentation

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