record

Thesis Info

LABS ID
00613
Thesis Title
Interactive Living Space for Neo-Nomads: An Anticipatory Approach
Author
Asma Naz
2nd Author
3rd Author
Degree
PhD
Year
2017
Number of Pages
225
University
The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas, USA
Thesis Supervisor
Dr. Mihai Nadin
Supervisor e-mail
nadin AT utdallas.edu
Other Supervisor(s)
Language(s) of Thesis
English
Department / Discipline
Arts & Technology
Copyright Ownership
Author
Languages Familiar to Author
English, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu
URL where full thesis can be found
anteinstitute.org/documents/AsmaNaz_PhDDissertation.pdf
Keywords
Human-space interaction, interactive architecture, affective space, neo-nomad, aesthetics, anticipation, adaptive, perception
Abstract: 200-500 words
A new design concept for an interactively modifiable living space is proposed in this dissertation aimed to support the lifestyle of “neo-nomads.” Popularly known as Silicon Valley talents, the “neo-nomads” are a new breed of highly mobile, technology-dependent, creative professionals currently facing a severe housing crisis due to limited availability and higher rent. The proposed concept of a real-world dwelling—consisting of a single, multi-functional living space—is offered as an adaptive, highly optimized spatial solution that reflects and enhances the transitional, temporal, minimalist living of the young mobile professionals. When everything is becoming “intelligent”, architecture, especially when serving those who make possible new forms of interaction, should be in the lead. The design of human-space interaction is informed by awareness of anticipatory processes. The occupants are offered the possibility to generate affective spatial qualities to accommodate their current and emergent needs through subjective, creative exploration of space-making. This is made possible through interaction with modifiable aesthetic parameters of space characteristics—i.e., color, brightness, texture and material—in order to generate spatial experiences with emotional or psychophysiological dimensions that can be perceived by the occupant as warm, cool, exciting, calm, spacious or intimate. An aesthetic framework is formulated in the form of design guidelines for the interactive system to regulate meaningful human-space interaction. Formulation of the guidelines requires understanding of the extent to which the sensory design elements, individually and collectively, can be modified in order to create intended, compelling environments that trigger emotional responses and potential activeness through perception of those sensorial spatial elements. A six-sided, immersive Virtual Environment was used as an evaluation tool to test proposed design concept and gather relevant data to define the aesthetic principles. The soft computation method of fuzzy logic system was implemented for the interactive system to analyze and process qualitative and linguistic perceptual input from occupants and respond through modified spatial outputs. As a testament of its time, architecture represents a way of life, symbolizing contemporary and emergent technologies, lifestyles and ideologies. The proposed design attempts to define interactive architecture that is physical, tangible and essentially spatial in nature, and which provides a platform for further research and experimentations for a humane and aesthetic living solution for the target group. Future research possibilities include investigation of the adaptive process of the interactive living space involving neural network and “deep learning,” providing the living space the capacity to “learn” and gather data over time in order to suggest suitable spatial decisions for its occupants. Other future research possibilities involve exploration of new interactive materials and their affective qualities in order to examine their potential use in construction of such a space.