Purposefully Controlling Mediated Architecture

Recent research in Evidence-Based Design demonstrates how architecture can positively influence human behavior, with potential application areas in human health, comfort or wellbeing. However, this understanding is still based on the notion of space that is designed, built, outfitted and used as a static and passive shell, unaware of the human activities it facilitates. We believe new opportunities exists for a 'mediated architecture' that is able to dynamically and proactively alter specific spatial features according to actual human needs, or in turn, intends to steer human behavior by responding or interacting out of itself. The aim of this research is therefore to investigate how such mediated architecture can allow humans to interact with and through space, so that the resulting spatial experience can be used in purposefully motivated ways. It will develop a life-size interactive environment of believable architectural qualities (e.g. lighting, reflections, texture) that can dynamically adapt and orchestrate an architectural layout, in order to empirically evaluate and describe the impact thereof. The predictive knowledge acquired in this research will afford architects to use temporality as a new design parameter, able to affect the functionality, expression and experience of architecture.

Keywords:mediated architecture

Disciplines:Architectural engineering, Architecture, Interior architecture, Architectural design, Art studies and sciences