This project deals with shape control of kinetic structures within the field of adaptable architecture. Here a variable geometry truss cantilever structure is analyzed using MATLAB/SIMULINK and the multibody dynamic software MSC Adams. Active shape control of a structure requires that the kinematic and kinetic equations, describing the motion of the system, is solved. MSC Adams has been used to solve the inverse kinematic problem for a variable geometry truss structure composed of a finite number of moveable units. Finally, MSC Adams has also been used to solve the inverse dynamic problem in order to obtain the control forces that must be known in order to control the shape of a real variable geometry truss structure. An experimental test of the of the shape control approach has been implemented using VGT truss structure and a low-cost data acquisition system based on the open-source Arduino environment.