The Impact of Smart Material Systems on the Adaptive Architectural Environment

Since the 1980s, there has been a growing interest in the knowledge acquisition of smart materials and their applications in different fields, especially in the field of architecture and building technology. Smart materials may not be relatively new, but researchers continuously work to develop smart materials and compose a system that controls and guides the materials to create a living environment with better adaptive qualities and less negative impacts. In the past years, architecture of smart buildings had less levels of control on the process of design; smart materials became more of a technical application instead of being a part of the design process. Hence the research problem presents itself as the lack of theoretical knowledge concerning the concept of smart material systems in architecture, and the absence of a clear systematic architectural design process that considers smart material systems as a vital part in achieving better adaptive built environments, revealing responsive aspects on the structural, climatic, and architectural performances; unlike the current pragmatic way of thinking where a smart material is just a material. The research aims to explore the qualities and advantages of smart material systems in the field of architecture, to provide a better understanding of the impact smart materials systems have on architectural design and construction, how can they create architecture with better adaptive qualities and provide an optimal environment for the users, reflected on the structural, climatic, and architectural performances. The results of the research, led to a clear mechanism in achieving adaptivity in the architectural built environment, through incorporating smart material systems in the design process and its outcome at the structural, climatic, and architectural levels.