In collaboration with Architizer USA, an online design-focused news hub, and Sunbrella USA, a renowned sun shading company, we are exploring alternative concepts of outdoor shading. In this project, we are pushing the boundaries of shading concepts into the realm of robotics engineering. Inspired by the hand fan, a product and technology invented in China over 3,000 years ago, we envision a fan-like structure controlled by robotic arms in various configurations. The project also draws inspiration from polyps growing over corals, with fan-shaped geometries that open and close, while the arms are preprogrammed to extend or contract in different stages.
We are embedding artificial intelligence into the installation, allowing the geometry to alter through various conditions such as rain, wind, or human interaction. Unbeknownst to us, we were inspired by the poetic movements of Tai Chi and fan dancing from China, as the installation will resemble a martial arts performance for the audience to experience.