How to Design Architecture that Responds to Invisible Forces

21 Jul 2025

8 Min Read

Dr Siti Norzaini Binti Zainal Abidin (Academic Contributor)

IN THIS ARTICLE

Contributed by Dr Siti Norzaini Binti Zainal Abidin, whose research explores applied Sciences and Technologies for architecture and more. She can be reached at sitinorzaini.zainalabidin@taylors.edu.my.

What if buildings weren’t just structures but living, breathing parts of the world around us? Imagine walking through a city where the walls shift with the wind, windows adjust to the sunlight, and rooftops open to let in fresh air, all without anyone lifting a finger.

It might sound futuristic, but the invisible forces shaping our world—like wind, sound, and airflow—are already being harnessed by architects to design buildings that respond, adapt, and even think. These forces may be unseen, but they are far from insignificant. They shape how we feel in a room, how buildings stand tall, and how cities breathe.

Understanding Invisible Forces in Architecture

Invisible forces are all around us. While we can’t see them, we interact with them constantly. In architecture, the most important of these are wind, sound waves, and air flow.

Wind is air in motion, caused by differences in temperature and pressure. It ranges from a gentle breeze on a warm afternoon to the powerful gusts that challenge the stability of high-rise buildings. Sound waves are vibrations that travel through the air or other materials, shaping the way we hear and perceive our environment. Air flow refers to the way air moves in and out of spaces, influenced by things like temperature, structure, and how buildings are ventilated.

These forces might be invisible, but they’re easy to relate to. Think of the cooling relief of a breeze on a hot day, or how an echo bounces around in an empty hall but disappears once the room is filled with carpets and furniture. If you’ve ever opened a window and felt a sudden rush of air, you’ve experienced natural ventilation in action. Each of these examples demonstrates how wind, sound, and air flow interact with the built environment—and why they matter in architectural design.

_{The Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, is a passively cooled, naturally ventilated building inspired by termite mounds, using 35% less total energy and up to 90% less energy on ventilation than conventional buildings of similar size. It also saved about 10% in upfront construction costs by eliminating central air-conditioning systems.}

Why Invisible Forces Matter in Design

Designing with invisible forces in mind isn’t just about comfort—it’s essential for structural safety, energy efficiency, and sustainable living.

Let’s start with wind. Ever tried walking against a strong gust? Now imagine that same force hitting a skyscraper hundreds of metres tall. Without clever design, these buildings could shake, sway, or even become unsafe. That’s why architects design with wind in mind. For example, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai—the tallest building in the world, uses a spiralling, stepped shape that helps it ‘cut through’ the wind and stay stable.

_{Then there’s airflow. Good air movement inside a building keeps things fresh, prevents stuffiness, and helps regulate temperature. You’ve probably felt this when opening a window on a hot day and letting the breeze flow through. Traditional Malay houses are a great example of this. Built on stilts with open layouts and slatted windows, they naturally stay cool—even without air conditioning. It’s smart, sustainable design that works perfectly with Malaysia’s tropical weather.}

Invisible forces also play a big role in how much energy a building uses. When buildings are designed to work with the wind, they can even produce their own electricity. The Bahrain World Trade Center in Bahrain has wind turbines built right into its towers, capturing coastal breezes to generate power. And when air flows through a building efficiently, there’s less need for fans, heaters, or air conditioners—meaning lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint.

Designing with Invisible Forces in Mind

One of the most exciting ideas in architecture today is something called biomimicry—which basically means learning from nature. After all, nature has had billions of years to figure out smart, energy-efficient ways to deal with things like wind, sound, and air flow. Now, architects are taking inspiration from the natural world to design buildings that are not just functional, but also sustainable and adaptive.

Take owl wings, for instance. Owls are known for flying almost silently, thanks to the unique structure of their feathers, which break up and muffle sound during flight. This natural design has inspired engineers and designers to develop noise-reducing materials—particularly for use in aircraft, wind turbines, and potentially buildings in noisy environments like airports and highways. By mimicking the fine fringes and soft textures of owl feathers, researchers have created acoustic panels and quieter turbine blades that help reduce noise pollution while enhancing performance.

Closeup of team of industrial engineers meeting analyse machinery blueprints

_{But nature isn’t the only teacher. Technology is stepping in to help buildings respond to their environment in real time. Architects are now using smart materials—like shape-memory alloys, which can return to their original shape when heated. These can be used in windows or structures that flex or shift based on the weather.}

Even more impressive are buildings that use sensors and artificial intelligence (AI). These sensors can track changes in wind, temperature, sunlight, and sound—and tell the building to adjust accordingly. For example, if a room gets too hot, vents might open on their own. If it gets too noisy, a wall might shift its surface to absorb sound and create a quieter environment. Some systems can even learn your habits and adjust things before you notice the change.

AI is transforming green building design by analysing climate data, solar and wind patterns, and optimising energy use in tropical climates like Malaysia. Integrated with Building Information Modeling (BIM), it enhances sustainability, reduces waste, and ensures compliance with green standards while cutting costs and risks.

— Dr Siti Norzaini Binti Zainal Abidin

Conclusion

As our cities rise, they often leave nature behind—replacing green spaces with grey skylines, and natural rhythms with artificial ones. But what if buildings didn’t just block the breeze, but danced with it? What if they listened, breathed, and adapted—just like living things?

Architecture that responds to invisible forces offers more than just comfort—it offers connection. It reminds us that design can be alive, intelligent, and in harmony with the world around us. This is your chance to reimagine the future—not by building against nature, but by building with it. The next generation of architects won’t just shape skylines—they’ll shape how we live, breathe, and belong on this planet.

Explore how architecture can shape a more sustainable, responsive world—one building at a time. Book an appointment with our education counsellors and take your first step towards designing tomorrow.

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