Architecture of Shade
Project Details
In response to growing concerns over the increasing number of individuals affected annually by skin cancer in the United Kingdom, a kinetic canopy has been designed for children’s playgrounds. The structure seeks to raise awareness of the risks associated with excessive sun exposure while providing a responsive layer of protection.
The canopy operates through a counterbalance mechanism that allows it to open and close with minimal energy expenditure. An integrated photovoltaic panel powers the motor controlling this system, enabling the structure to respond directly to solar conditions. As sunlight intensifies, the canopy opens to provide shade for the space below.
The articulated arrangement of leaf elements allows the structure to shift between states of dense shading and more permeable coverage, offering varying degrees of protection while maintaining a dynamic spatial experience.
Project Data:
Location: Children's Playground, UK
Client (Organiser): Health Education Authority UK (Currently National
Institute for Health and Care Excellence UK) and RIBA
Scope: Competition, Prototype development of photovoltaic canopy, exhibited at RIBA and published in accompanying publication Architecture of Shade / Main Photograph; Andy Cameron
