Shape Shifting House – High-Tech Metamorphosis

by Paul Ciocoiu · February 8, 2016

The technological evolution now takes us to spheres hard to imagine many years ago, including in the construction sector where not only do homes take bolder and ever efficient shapes, but they also keep the pace with the high-tech innovations. We will today take a look at the shape shifting house, which has the ability to adjust to changing temperatures by transforming into various shapes. The invention inspired other architects to go beyond conventional limits, so new models are coming up.

D*Haus, as named, is the creation of a group of architects in London. Their concept home has the ability to adjust to changing temperatures by transforming into various shapes. The idea is to divide the building into sections and connect them using strategically placed hinges. Situated on rails, the parts can be moved around and set up in various positions.

Shape shifting house – the house, originally in a square shape, “blooms” as the temperature goes up outside

The prefab home was originally conceived as a solution for the harsh conditions experienced by those residing in Sweden and Lapland, where there are days the sun doesn’t even rise over the horizon. Leaving it as a square-shaped building is ideal for trapping heat during the winter while letting the outer sections slide open in parallel is more optimal arrangement for catching the sun’s rays. It can also transform into a triangular-shaped structure. In total, it metamorphosizes into eight different configurations.

Here is how it works: in summer, bedroom one faces east and tracks the sunrise using a series of sensors. As the owner wakes up, the house automatically rotates to ensure they are constantly bathed in sunlight, while the house generates energy through its solar panels. In winter, the house is in a square formation, with small windows and high thermal mass. As the seasons change and climate warms, the house opens up, like a flower to allow light and air to penetrate the inside of the building creating panoramic views of the surroundings. The house could sell for $3.1 million, but if produced in bulk, the price could drop to $1.3 million.

A similar shape shifting home, called Motus, is the creation of an American architect. “It provides this flexible control over heat gain from sunlight,” says architect Todd Fix, who compares the screen and shell to extra layers of clothes you can put on or take off. “So if it’s a cold day, the sensor will sense that, and it will close both to keep the heat inside. If you want more light in the space, you can open up the screen or open up the shell,” he told website Fastcoexist.com. Construction costs are estimated at $2.5 to $5 million.