Phoenix-based architecture firm, WorksBureau, is finalizing designs for a luxury spa area in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The so-called ‘Portal Spas’ are two crystalline structures that will feature kinetic metal ‘skins’ for the walls. The principle behind the architecture is inspired by how the human skin reacts to sunlight. The panels are constantly changing angles depending on the intensity of the sun.

During mornings and evenings, the mesh panels open up to let in more sunlight and reduce the need for artificial lighting. In the hotter hours of midday, the tessellated pattern of the panels shifts to provide more shade and passive cooling.

The design of the skin is based on the Tessellate Adaptive Facade System developed by Chuck Hoberman and the A.Zahner company. The KAFD Portal Spas project is expected to go into development in 2014.

See more images of the architecture below.

WorksBureau