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HEIGHTENING ARCHITECTURE’S POTENTIAL

There is no question that the design evolution of technology is skyrocketing – and having profound effects on architecture. As technology grows in processing power, it also shrinks in size, allowing for more complex uses where technology can be embedded in objects (and smart environments). Consequently, interactions between humans and technology are becoming evermore complex, and at the heart of such interactions may be the notion of rule-based systems — where sensors and actuators communicate according to rules that allow an environmental system to carry out goal-based behaviors.

HOW WILL BUILDINGS LEARN?

But, is this the only way to build smart environments in the future? In a recent article entitled The Coming Merging of Mind and Machine, the author Ray Kurzweil describes how machines are gaining speed in their ability to download complex patterns. He states that “computing technology is …[Read Full Article]…

What if interactive architecture could do more than just react to its occupants? What if architecture was based on rules that could promote designated functions? In this light, architecture would be motivational and goal-oriented. Hospitals; for instance, would actually help patients to heal — instead of being cold and sterile, like so many hospitals we find today. 

Adaptable architecture could help occupants have better experiences within buildings. For instance, within hospitals a rule-based architecture could help patients to do the following:

• understand their treatment
• reduce stress
• decrease pain
• engage in healing behavior

Hospital rooms could tailor their interactions toward certain illnesses, recovery and patient types. In addition, adaptive architecture could help the medical staff do a better job, making less medical errors. Of course, patient control and choice is important — and adaptive architecture should make provisions for both as it promotes functions within.

Teacept | Dreamstime

Just as the brain changes itself by learning, so too must interactive architecture. By learning from feedback, this type of architecture can learn to adapt to occupant needs in real-time. As it interacts, it learns – adapting and evolving as occupant need deem necessary.

When the brain changes by learning, this is called neuroplasticity. By optimizing functionality, the brain’s goal is to always make itself more useful. Can you imagine how this might apply to interactive architecture?

By embedding feedback into interactive architecture the system may begin to adapt, working toward rule-based system goals. Such goals can be occupant-centered — and from its many interactions with occupants, architectural sensory agents may begin to decipher patterns. From such feedback the architecture can regulate itself and grow by learning.

Interactive architecture can do more that respond to human behavior. With feedback, it can begin to actually adapt – evolving in its communication and; therefore, ability to help occupants.