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Project synopsis

“Arguably, the most innovative designs utilizing kinetics arise from unique situational use, and it is this use that is a driving force in the changing and evolving patterns of human interaction with the built environment.” What Michael Fox and Miles Kemp wrote in the book Interactive Architecture addressed the importance of novel architectural solutions, whether it is a single-function spatial design or the universal building plan. Traditional architecture design emphasizes stability, steadiness, sturdiness and immobility of the configuration and structure, while the introduction of motion can provide agility, unpredictability, or uncertainty and may also suggest change, anticipation, and liveliness.‍

In this project, we tried to make an interactive wall installation that break through the limitation of traditional architectural element design. To the contrary of the icy steady attribute of the wall, the installation response to people’s movement and gesture, using abstract light pixels to memorize and display kinetic information. With the help of robot arm, the installation turns into a movable wall that expand the extent of space and form of interaction, thus explore new spatial possibility beyond its standard single-function and create opportunities to promote the performance and aesthetic significance of the architecture.

Info

Guangzhou, China
Role in team: Conceptual Design, Programming, Construction, Graphic Representation

Interactive choreography

Exploring new spatial possibility beyond traditional architecture

Case study

In Duchamp’s Nude Descending a Staircase, the ever-changing status of human reveals the subtle connection between complexity and simplicity. So as the film directed by Eadweard Muybridge. The continuous capture of simple motion suggest the existence of environment and how human adjust activities to them. These discoveries can be used to elevate the quality of space and performance of the architecture.

We tried to create a three dimensional space consists of human, environment and a transforming entity that foil human activities. The changing environment provide the opportunity to study how kinetic spaceinfluence people’s behavior. Through different views, the whole process can be recorded comprehensively.

Implementation

We use a pixelated reflection of dancer to study and record motion towards kinetic space. The interaction shows how external factor affect adjustments and how spatial quality can be promoted. To display the pixelated image on the installation, a Kinect 2.0 and several Arduino Uno are needed. To create a kinetic space, we used a robot arm to hold the installation.

Composition

The final design of this installation consists of four independently controlled display units. Each of them is made of black acrylic board with 384 holes drilled to contain LED light bulbs. The light dots are divided into six matrixes that separately links to the Arduino Uno board. With the help of robot arm, the installation will shift its coordinates and angle in the space to track people’s positon.

Fabrication

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