SkinForm Project sees shape-shifting structure get its wiggle on

There's no shame in admitting that shape-shifting creatures are a touch frightening, but we'll go ahead and warn you -- those spooked by petite bots will be utterly terrified by this. The SkinForm Project has arisen from the University of Technology Sydney, and while there aren't any elaborate details available just yet, it's described as an "intelligent pneumatic structure that transforms dynamically in response to socio-physical context." Additionally, it seems to utilize a plethora of sensors and rely on a good bit of software programing in order to become the transforming architecture that it is. If all goes as planned, the initiative will be completed on June 12th, but you can take a look at a number of in-progress videos right down there in the read link below.

[Jaque-o @ Jun 6th 2008 9:43AM]

can hardly call that shape shifting O.o
All it does is wiggle :P

[dervheid @ Jun 6th 2008 9:46AM]

What a complete load of pseudo-intellectual bullshit.
Why don'y they go and spend the monet trying to develop something USEFUL, instead of dicking around with this pointless POS

[David @ Jun 6th 2008 10:17AM]

I disagree completely, I've always wanted to live in a building that changes shape depending on my mood like
A PIRATE SHIP (swashbucklin')
AN IVORY TOWER (introverted)
A TREE (tranquil)
A BOUNCY CASTLE (kiddyfiddlin')
R2D2 (FTW)


I think this is a step in the right direction, unfortunately it just seems like a bouncy castle atm.. well I can't complain..

[DvS @ Jun 6th 2008 9:52AM]

If it's anything like the balloon animal videos on their site, it will be pretty weak.

[schmitty338 @ Jun 6th 2008 9:52AM]

Wow...such hostility...

Did you guys fail to notice that this is ARCHITECTURE research? Just because they aren't trying to save lives or cure disease doesn't mean it's not worthwhile research.

Clearly you would rather all buildings be gray poured concrete rectangular prisms than some of the very interesting types that research such as this has developed over the centuries.

[Jaque-o @ Jun 6th 2008 10:14AM]

i dont want no wiggling house !
Makes drinking so much harder..

[gad get @ Jun 6th 2008 10:17AM]

Unfortunately, drinking too much makes the house wiggle, anyway.

[Jaque-o @ Jun 6th 2008 10:21AM]

Thought drinking too much would make you pass out?;)

Lol

[giuliop @ Jun 6th 2008 10:27AM]

I get it now; the house counter-compensates for your wiggling so you can drink as much as you want and feel steady. Wow, I can't really do without it.

[Jaque-o @ Jun 6th 2008 10:32AM]

@ giuliop

rofl, it could be good indeed...
Or.... well the exact opposit could make it rather lethal I guesse

[gad get @ Jun 6th 2008 10:02AM]

The most pointless videos I've ever seen linked to in an Engadget "Read" link.

[EricR @ Jun 6th 2008 10:14AM]

As an architecture student myself I can appreciate the videos of their models (the "balloons") as well as their proposal renderings. They are shown to help understand the process of design.

I don't particularly lean towards designing this type of architecture but I can't help noticing the hard work that went into this project. Be careful how hard you critique research-type projects that you have nothing to do with.

[dervheid @ Jun 6th 2008 10:27AM]

And doubtless there was a lot of hard work went into planning the Third Reich...
Must have seemed a good idea to those involved in the planning at the time.

[EricR @ Jun 6th 2008 10:36AM]

dervheid,

I suppose that argument might have been made by the Third Reich -- it does not, however, refute what I said. I see no moral issues in mapping the paths of people in groups or designing a space to react to them -- and I don't think that anyone else sees this as a moral problem either.

[dervheid @ Jun 6th 2008 10:45AM]

Who said anything about it being a moral issue, apart from you?
All I said was that IMHO, this is a waste of time, effort and money, that could have been better spent, maybe developing some low-cost, quick/easy build resilient housing for the third world / disaster relief. Maybe they COULD incorporate some of the ideas involved in this, but I seriously doubt it. Basic design tenets: Dry; Warm/cool; Safe.
You're in architecture, amaze me!

[David @ Jun 6th 2008 10:53AM]

@ Derveid

Student: "hello UN, we designed some low-cost disater relief housing, do you want to thank us now or later"

Ban ki Moon: "get out, just get out, its been done a million times, by professionals n'less. Now if you could make my house react to my mood, that would be hot."

[Tim @ Jun 6th 2008 10:29AM]

weak

[M.Samba @ Jun 6th 2008 10:45AM]

Well if anyone needs me i'll be in my basement creating a weapon to stop these things.
Humanity can thank me later

[David @ Jun 6th 2008 10:49AM]

Youur time iss done Primate!

(baldur's)

[I Cook on My Notebook @ Jun 6th 2008 11:05AM]

So apparently this thing transforms into a giant snake when people walk by it, turns into a serial killer when called upon and it is evil.

[granny down east @ Jun 6th 2008 1:46PM]

"intelligent pneumatic structure that transforms dynamically in response to socio-physical context."

Sounds like a penis to me.

[Armoured @ Jun 6th 2008 10:58PM]

Woot!! At UTS!! Go Australia!