chuck hoberman, from hoberman associates http://www.hoberman.com/news.html]link was a guest lecturer at the college this evening. He is responsible most notably for the monitor system used for U2's last world tour. But a more interesting exploration he is invested in is his organization ABI (adaptive building initiative) essentailly he is investigating smart mechanized building skin systems that deal with solar gain, and the ability to control that for optimum building performance throughout the year.

Really interesting work. Pattern based mechanized layers that move adapt according to the suns position on the surface of the building throughout the day, and through out the year. This is sophisticated to me because it is developing and very beautiful aesthetic in its dealing with light and shadow, and at the same time acting on an environmental level in reducing energy costs to shade/ heat/ and cool building.

the work is still on an exploratory level, however he sees a time in our future where these ideas can be played out on high rise buildings. In thinking about a future like this, the entire urban aesthetic could be something that is in constant flux, in response to regional environments. Functional questions are definitely an issue. for example, who will maintain this systems, and what needs to be created to service these skins at a large scale. none the less, it is proactive thinking in an economic period where many in the building industry are not financially able to be so exploratory. the hope through mr. hoberman's eyes, is that when things to begin to turn around economically these technologies will be available to utilize in building design.