Architecture that Learns from Experience: The Future of Interactive Design

Image: Markbeckwi... | Dreamstime

Sensory devices are being embedded in architecture to create interactive designs. Such ubiquitous computing arrangements will eventually propagate through our homes, offices and other building types. What remains fascinating is the advent when such architectural spaces will use technology to learn from its own experience. Already, robots are being designed to do just that. Let me explain…

In a Scientific American article entitled Can Robots Be Programmed to Learn from Their Own Experience, the author describes how engineers and designers are programming the robot with “learning algorithms and probability distributions” in order to give them practical and useful behaviors. (1) Similarly, interactive architecture can be programmed and optimized to behave in more useful ways that help occupants to achieve their goals — like work productivity, healthy behaviors and increased learning ability. Architects can utilize many of the findings uncovered by robot designers to create better interactivity for architecture that is becoming evermore popular and widespread.

For the most-part, interactivity today seems to occur without much helpful interaction for humans. Often, it surfaces in architectural design for aesthetic, symbolic or entertainment purposes. Hopefully; however, such interactivity will take on more significant roles for humans – serving for practical purpose that more efficiently helps occupants to live better lives.

By learning from what it can sense, architecture will be better able to promote its own intended functions. It is the responsibility of architects and others in the design profession to make certain that interactive design continues on its best path – one that helps occupants meet their goals: in real-time for both short and long-term meaningful success.

(1) Smith, Julian. Robots Be Programmed to Learn from Their Own Experience?. Scientific American. March 23, 2009.

Join My Newsletter and Get a Free Copy of my Book Sign up for the FREE Sensing Architecture Newsletter to achieve breakthrough insights that will expand the way you think about architectural design. This is a great way to set your work apart from the rest. Plus, get free immediate access to Bringing Architecture to the Next Level, where you will learn how to shift your mindset to reach breakthrough ideas, meet and predict occupant need using sensory design, leverage your design process to get more with less, rethink technology to unleash your innovative edge, and so much more. Sign-Up Now for Instant Access Enter Your First Name: Enter Your Email: * Your information will always be kept confidential.