Nydia Godoy

A series of experiments researched how boundaries are defined or blurred and this work led to the creation of an interactive courtyard.

The site is a neglected enclosure surrounded by office buildings; this has been transformed into an engaging and celebratory space through the deployment of new kinetic elements. Roof and floor structures are based on Voronoi cells, creating clusters for social interaction. The floor is a system that consists of pieces that rise from a uniform level to create landscapes that can be configured into a series of arrangements, allowing a number of different scenarios for different uses throughout the day, weekends and seasons. The rain triggers the opening of colourful, inflatable structures that provide each cluster with shelter, allowing people to enjoy the exterior space in inclement weather. A barrier of vertical water jets enables the space to be closed for privacy, or open to allow public access.

The kinetic nature of the structure means that the courtyard is in a state of continuous change, creating a space that is stimulated by natural elements and is neither inside nor outside.