Class introduction

An exploration of the technologies enabling interactive architecture through hands on demonstration and small scale design-build projects where students will deploy basic electronics and programmable computer control systems for physical architectural installations. To start, students will be introduced to the concept of play as it relates to design and interaction and begin establishing the vocabulary of this type of design development. Over the course of the semester a wide range of projects, with both artistic and pragmatic objectives, will be discussed. In tandem to the background knowledge students will be taught the basic electronics and introductory computer programming required to implement the technologies themselves. Hands on workshops will introduce students to computer controlled lighting and motor control for creating architectural conditions which can react to GPS tracking, computer-vision, and a range of environmental sensors. The objective of the class is to enable the students to work individually or in small groups to develop working prototypes of interactive architectural conditions. Wall, floor, ceiling, window, door, … As such the first half of the semester will include a series of assignments focused on specific technologies that should enable the students to work more freely on an area of personal interest for the final project.