Kinesis: A Symphony of Movement and Sustainability in Architecture
Where art meets ecology — Kinesis redefines sustainable architecture through dynamic spatial flow, creativity, and cultural harmony.
Project by İrem Oba — Shortlisted entry of Live Green
Reimagining Space Through Movement
In Uni XYZ Eco Village Kinesis İrem Oba, architecture transcends its static nature to become a living choreography of people, environment, and culture. Located in Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil, this eco-village merges the principles of sustainable architecture design with the poetic rhythm of dance — shaping a community space that breathes, interacts, and evolves with its inhabitants.
The project explores how spatial continuity can foster connection and creativity. Its design encourages movement and interaction, inviting residents to experience architecture not as a backdrop, but as a fluid performance of daily life.
Sustainable Architecture Rooted in Culture
The essence of Kinesis lies in the fusion of ecological sensitivity and cultural expression. İrem Oba’s design philosophy celebrates Brazil’s deep relationship with rhythm, dance, and social gathering. The architectural form reflects this energy — circular courtyards and semi-fluid pathways mirror the dynamism of movement, symbolizing harmony between humanity and nature.
Each spatial gesture has purpose — open courtyards enable natural ventilation, rammed-earth walls regulate temperature, and curved surfaces optimize shade and light. Together, they form a holistic system of climate-responsive architecture, minimizing energy use while amplifying sensory experience.
An Architectural Language of Flow
The project derives its form from a continuous, flowing circulation path that integrates private and public zones through a seamless spatial narrative. The arrangement of dance studios, art spaces, and residential units encourages spontaneous interaction. The central amphitheater becomes both a gathering space and a stage — a metaphor for collective expression and coexistence.
Circular geometries expand and contract along the site, defining pockets for learning, rest, and creation. The resulting composition forms a rhythmic balance — an interplay of built and unbuilt, solid and void, structure and nature.
Material Consciousness and Local Identity
“Kinesis” embodies sustainable building practices through the use of local materials and construction techniques. The rammed-earth façades, wooden decks, and shaded verandas reflect vernacular wisdom while adapting to contemporary needs. These materials not only reduce environmental impact but also strengthen the emotional and cultural connection between architecture and its context.
The project embraces a tactile and earthy aesthetic — grounded, breathable, and adaptable. This attention to material honesty transforms sustainability from a technical goal into a lived experience.
Design Process: Movement as a Generator
The architectural development followed a clear logic of motion and transformation. Beginning with the study of urban grids and pedestrian movement, Oba introduced fluid curves that evolved into interconnected semicircular forms. These loops defined zones for different activities — dance, living, dining, and exhibition — each interlinked through open-air courtyards.
Every spatial decision was informed by rhythm: circulation routes mimic the steps of choreography, and spatial thickness varies like tempo shifts in music. This narrative approach ensures that every path within Kinesis becomes an experiential journey through art and life.
Ecological Urban Integration
At a broader level, Kinesis contributes to Boa Vista’s social and ecological fabric. It strengthens community networks through shared programs — workshops, exhibitions, and performances — while maintaining environmental equilibrium. The project’s eco-village planning integrates green corridors, pedestrian-friendly pathways, and rainwater management systems to foster biodiversity and human well-being.
By merging art, sustainability, and urban resilience, the project demonstrates how contemporary architecture can be both a cultural catalyst and a model for ecological balance.
Architecture in Motion
Kinesis is more than an architectural project — it is a statement on how movement, community, and sustainability can coexist harmoniously. It blurs the line between art and environment, inviting architecture to dance with nature.
Through its thoughtful materiality, rhythmic spatial organization, and ecological integrity, İrem Oba’s Kinesis stands as a powerful expression of sustainable architecture design that celebrates both the planet and the people who inhabit it.
