Interactive Environments focuses on researching and exploring the motion produced by natural forces such as water, wind or gravity, and playing with them to create digital and physical installations, with the help of physical computing and programming, where these forces become the lead actors for interaction within the framework of architecture.
This course explores the intersection of architecture, technology, and nature, focusing on the design and implementation of interactive environments. Students will investigate how data flows in nature and use this understanding to create dynamic, responsive, and sustainable architectural solutions. The course will cover principles of biomimicry, energy harvesting, and the integration of smart technologies to transform buildings into living, interactive entities.
How would we design with natural elements? Natural phenomena such as light, wind and water can be used as direct design drivers. The building envelope is an interesting element to investigate as it is in direct contact to the surrounding area and is exposed, at times, to severe environmental conditions. How can we take advantage of the facade of a building to harvest and utilise its location within the building system. As designers and architects, we spend our lives examining and creating our built environment and as people we interact with it on daily bases. The possibilities to reimagine and recreate the facade as a dynamic and functional element are endless and many researchers have made attempts to contribute to the design field with projects on the topic.. The seminar focuses on researching and exploring the motion produced by natural elements and through designing with them to create interactive facades where these elements are the lead actor.
At course completion the student will:
CONTEXT Michoacán, Mexico, faces a significant challenge due to consistently high temperatures. The health and well-being of the population are at risk, as prolonged exposure to extreme heat can lead to heat-related illnesses and discomfort. Their high temperatures can affect biodiversity, altering the migration patterns of species, as the monarch butterflies. Every year, millions of … Read more
CONTEXTUAL FRAMEWORK ELEMENTS OF RESPONSIVENESS ARID LANDSCAPES INSPIRATION – LIGHT | DUST INSPIRATION – WATER CONCEPTUAL PROTOTYPING CORE DESIGN AXONOMETRIC PERSPECTIVE SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE CONDITIONAL MAPPING ELECTRONIC LAYOUT EXECUTION PROCESS VISUALISATION RENDERS
AquaLume efficiently captures humidity and rain using an extruding nylon mesh system. The collected water is then directed through a gutter system into a tank. Here, the system analyzes its quality and displays the results via LEDs.
Our project explores the fascinating interplay between living organisms, specifically mushrooms, and their environment. Mushrooms, often overlooked, serve as vital components within ecosystems, acting as nature’s recyclers and playing crucial roles in nutrient cycling. We aim to leverage this symbiotic relationship by facilitating the growth of mushrooms and utilizing them as living sensors to provide … Read more
Concept We aim to design an environmental responsive facade that provides shelter for users in public spaces. Our facade aims to explore different materials that will behave differently based on the sensory information that the weather conditions of the city or location provide. It will be reacting to local light, rain, temperature and weight levels, … Read more
Hostile architecture is an urban-design strategy that uses elements of the built environment to purposefully guide or restrict behavior. What if we stopped seeing cities as a place for only the privileged and started thinking of them as living organisms to host the less fortunate? Shifting away from hostile architecture and creating humane zones for … Read more
