Thermo - Acoustic Urban Pavilion

Team member(s): Nithik Vairamuthu, Sumit Shingne, Jinesh Narendra Jain, BURKA Burka, Rafik El Khoury and Vimal TN
Modified by Nithik Vairamuthu on November 25, 2025

Nithik Vairamuthu

Sumit Shingne

Jinesh Narendra Jain

BURKA Burka

Rafik El Khoury

and

Vimal TN

01 | Concept

This concept explores how urban pavilions can transform sensory experiences—like sound and temperature—into dynamic architectural expressions. In bustling plazas where noise and heat shape how people feel and move, the pavilion acts as a mediator between the environment and its users. It captures fluctuations in sound and temperature and translates them into subtle physical movements, making invisible sensations visible and tangible. Through this responsive behaviour, the structure not only expresses the energy of its surroundings but also enhances comfort by visually reflecting and adapting to the changing atmosphere.

02 | Resonance

The pavilion’s vibrant arches respond to environmental triggers, shifting shape to make sound and temperature visible. This dynamic motion creates a lively, adaptive space in the urban plaza.

03 | Prototype

The functional prototype of the responsive pavilion system. On the left, the Arduino-based electronic circuit integrates sound and temperature sensors to monitor environmental changes in real time. On the right, 3D-printed kinetic panels are driven by servo motors, dynamically opening and closing in response to the sensory input. This tangible workflow—sensing, processing, actuation, and visual feedback—demonstrates how the pavilion’s structure adapts, visually communicating the invisible fluctuations of noise and temperature within its environment.

04 | Components

The interconnected hardware modules that compose the pavilion’s responsive system. Sensors like the KY-038 sound sensor and DHT11 temperature/humidity sensor form the sensing layer, gathering real-time environmental data. This information is processed by the Arduino UNO, which interprets and fuses the inputs in the processing layer. Based on processed signals, the actuation layer—micro servo motors and the OLED display—triggers mechanical movement or visual feedback, visibly responding to changes in noise or temperature. Finally, the data layer logs, stores, and visualizes all collected information, ensuring that the pavilion’s reactions are easy to monitor and understand. Together, these layers create a dynamic feedback loop, making the invisible forces of the environment both tangible and interactive.

05 | Circuit diagram

If the temperature inside the pavilion is high or the noise level outside is high, both panels will close automatically using the servo motors. Below is how this logic connects to your architecture layers and the circuit design:

06 | Output

Sensing Layer
The DHT22 sensor continuously monitors temperature inside the pavilion.
The sound sensor measures the noise level outside.
Processing Layer
The Arduino checks the sensor readings against user-defined thresholds (e.g., 28°C for temperature, 70 dB for noise).
When either measurement exceeds its threshold, the logic interprets this as an uncomfortable or disruptive environment.
Actuation Layer
If temperature rises above 28°C, the servo starts to move between 0 to 90 degree and triggers the panel to close; if noise exceeds 70 dB, the second servo triggers the other panels. The appropriate servo motor is triggered to close the pavilion’s panels.

07 | Data Visualization

Real-time data visualizations from ThingSpeak for an environmental sensing and actuation system in a pavilion. The system monitors temperature and sound levels, and then triggers servo actuators to control pavilion panels.

08 | Limitations

This project is primarily limited by its narrow sensing scope, since it only responds to sound and temperature, leaving out other environmental discomforts such as poor air quality or changing light conditions. Additionally, the use of standard servo motors restricts its application to small-scale or lightweight panels, making it impractical for larger architectural installations without further engineering. Finally, the control logic for panel movement relies on fixed thresholds rather than adaptive algorithms, which means the pavilion may not always respond optimally to dynamic or unpredictable environmental changes.

09 | Future Optimization

This project could focus on expanding the range of sensed environmental parameters to include factors like air quality, light intensity, and occupancy, creating a richer, multimodal understanding of comfort in architectural spaces. Advancements might also incorporate adaptive machine learning algorithms that enable the pavilion to predict changes and personalize actuation based on historical data, rather than relying on fixed thresholds. Furthermore, integrating stronger actuators and more sustainable or biomimetic materials could make the system scalable to larger, real-world pavilions while enhancing its ability to support both environmental adaptation and energy efficiency.

10 | Reference

Tetra Script: A Responsive Pavilion, From Generative Design to Automation https://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/ijac201210106.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

SOMBRA Pavilion: A Passive Kinetic Shading System Inspired by the Sun https://materialdistrict.com/article/sombra-pavilion-a-passive-kinetic-shading-system-inspired-by-the-sun/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Tags: Computational Design, Sensors, Digital Fabrication, Robotic Fabrication, Adaptive Strategy, Tactical Urbanism