• biomimetics
• deployable structures
• kinetic façade
• Miura-ori
• origami
• prototype

This thesis focuses on the application of deployable structures to the design of adaptive facades. The aim is to design a dynamic shading system inspired by the technique of origami and by the folding of leaves, from the conceptual design to the definition of a working prototype.
First of all principles and parameters regulating the folding behavior of surfaces, in particular rigid ones, have been investigated. Paper and 3D printed physical models have been fundamental, giving immediate answers to issues about motion.
The definition of a digital model capable of faithfully simulating the folding of the leaf has been crucial. For this purpose the software CivilFEM has been used, combining buckling and large displacements analysis. Once a reliable model has been built, an iterative methodology has been devised to define the dimensional characteristics of a composite panel to be used for the leaf, made of two aluminum sheets and an EPDM core with hinge function. Then the stresses during each phase of the folding process have been checked, as well as stresses and deformations related to standard service conditions.
At the end, to fully define the prototype, real technological components have been selected to create the substructure for a standard module.