Le Corbusier once said, “A house is a machine for living in,” a concept that is particularly relevant when applied to high-rise office tower designs, where the integration of various building components and technologies is essential. However, in the pursuit of structural efficiency and layout optimization, many high-rise buildings have evolved into core-and-shell configurations with repetitive facades, resulting in increasingly standardized designs. At the 602 Studio at PennDesign, we were tasked with reimagining the office tower with a fresh perspective, pushing the boundaries of conventional design.

Our design process was divided into three distinct yet interconnected phases. The first phase involved observing and recording notable environmental phenomena. For our team, the dynamic shifts in daylight throughout the day stood out as an intriguing factor to explore. In the second phase, we were tasked with conceptualizing a “machine” to represent this phenomenon. To capture the subtle changes in light, my partner and I designed a deployable structure that illustrated the differences in light transmission across various surfaces. By adjusting the rotation of these surfaces, we could modulate the light—from full transmission to total reflection—mimicking the daily changes in natural light.

In the final phase, we were challenged to translate the concept from the second phase into a tangible building design. Our approach involved enlarging the deployable light machine and transforming it into a structural element that functioned as a “lightwell,” influencing the light path at a building scale while also becoming an integral part of the building’s framework. This larger “lightwell” was extended to form the building’s façade. The two dynamic components—the lightwell and the façade—continuously shift in angle and position, creating a flexible space between them that can adapt to different functional needs. Additionally, the surfaces of these layers can alter their characteristics, such as transparency, optimizing daylighting and respond to varying environmental conditions.

Finally, we utilized energy simulation software to analyze the effects of different surface angles, material types, and opening configurations in the tower. This allowed us to fine-tune the building’s environmental performance, ensuring that the design was not only innovative but also responsive to its surrounding conditions, offering a sustainable and adaptable solution.