Body and Space

Concept Section

Professor: Joe Dahmen

Design Completed: April 2017

Project Area: 30 000 sqm

What if the built environment around us knew more about us? Information about ourselves, our interactions and the environment around us is becoming ubiquitous through a data-driven economy. The Internet of Things (IoT) enables the interconnecting of physical devices with biometric markers and volunteered data.

How can we harness this information to augment our experience of space or will it merely be a gimmick that tracks, analyzes and isolates us? Can new sensory technology push us to produce a human conscious architecture? This thesis explores a recon gurations of a proposed condominium project in Yaletown through the integration of movable, deployable walls and screens.

Screen can envelope SleepBox module and provide a unique, quiet space for children. In this case, it is preparing them for bed time by dimming the lights and providing a subtle light show to calm them down.

Unit E Isometric and Plan

The screen can reconfigure to the likings of multiple users. In this case, the screen acts as a play element for the kids, creating a vaulting gesture. Additionally, it can react to various environmental factors. If today was foggier and not a sunny may afternoon, the screen could augment lighting conditions to artificially brighten the interior environment.

Unit A Isometric and Plan

Awareness mode is when the screen is capable of determining it’s best position in the environment. In this case, it has detected an increase in heart rate from Ryan, the youngest resident. He does not like how loud Matthew is playing his guitar and has wrapped him to alert him of Ryan’s complaint. This mode can adapt the behaviour of the wall based on various service inputs and can receive voice inputs to change behaviour on the y. Updates over time will also allow a ne tuning of behaviour based on various parameters including lighting factors, auditory feedback and biometric data.

Unit A Isometric and Plan

Sometimes identifying individual people can be difficult when a crowd forms within the environment. In this instance, the screen can react to proximity sensors embedded beneath it’s surface. In this instance, the screen is providing the lighting and backdrop for a party.

Unit E Isometric and Plan

Cooking can sometimes be a nuisance to other inhabitants. For this reason, the screen can drop down and isolate the kitchen area when desired, otherwise folding up and away.

Unit A Isometric and Plan