Embracing the Invisible: Redefining Architecture with Camouflage and Nature Integration
Invisible architecture is a new trend that focuses on ways to hide or minimize a structure’s appearance. Whether it is a walkway or a partition separating different spaces, a building creates an illusion of nothingness. In most cases, invisible architecture is incorporated by a lot of mirrored glass, prevalent in construction of high-rise office buildings with the intention of making buildings invisible. Use of glass plays a vital role in achieving this look. Plain glass could also be used, allowing inhabitants to see inside or straight through the building from inside or outside. This style is taken up by architecture, when the most desired part of the design is the beauty of the surrounding nature and camouflage reflects the native area, thereby creating less intrusion to the natural landscape of the area
Need of Invisible Architecture
It has presented itself as the solution to the decreasing number of spaces in the cities today. One example of this is biophilic design that incorporates plants and elements inspired by nature into the workspace to create a stress-free work environment. It has shown to create a stress-free environment for employees, fostering their wellness and increasing the company’s productivity
Rooms could be designed in such a way that they take advantage of daylight and natural ventilation. In combination with a rainwater and photovoltaic system, energy consumption could be kept to a minimum. Placement of plants to blend in with the environment on the roof could also offer excellent thermal insulation
Technologies used in Invisible Architecture
Emerging technologies like AI and LED panels make structures possible to disappear from view. Building information models (BIM) is a three-dimensional visual design for a project that helps with decision-making during the construction process. At times, a system of high-definition cameras and LED panels to capture the sky is used, allowing the structure to blend visually with the surrounding atmosphere
Few examples in Invisible Architecture
Tower Infinity, South Korea– Marketed as the first invisible architecture, the building is wrapped in reflective skin that reveals the surrounding environment. It creates an illusion of invisibility through the use of digital processing systems. A series of cameras captures real-time images of the building’s surroundings and then projects them through the building glass
Optical Glass House– Made of glass bricks allows people to see both inside and outside of the house. The only one prominent feature outside is the garden, which creates privacy for living space and a green area for inhabitants
Moses Bridge in the Netherlands– Built on a body of water to create an illusion that anyone walking on it feels literally like they are walking on water
Challenges in Invisible Architecture
With the use of technologies such as AI, LED panels and more in the architecture, there is an increased need for support and maintenance. Systems designed to run for extended periods of time need high maintenance, ideally require having programming capabilities and some technical know-how in-house, but even big tech companies have shown a lack of such expertise
Conclusion
Increased congestion in the cities and departure from the natural environment have raised questions related to quality of life, the impact of human activity on the natural environment and the negative impact of it all on humans. To improve the current state of the cities, invisible architecture has shown to be the one solution. It brings humans closer to the environment and transforms the landscape. Buildings embracing this form of architecture have shown to reduce stress-levels among employees, improve productivity and even assist with the challenge of tackling climate change by taking advantage of daylight and adopting renewable photovoltaic technologies to generate electricity by the use of glass bricks.
In contrast, its heavy dependence on technologies brings challenges associated with heavy maintenance of such technologies and raises other questions such as whether the use of AR, LED technologies as artificial projection tools of natural landscapes will achieve the necessary outcome intended of bringing humans closer to nature. Nevertheless, many attempts in this direction have resulted in positive outcomes.
Author: Abhishek Saini