MEMS | Seimens

MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) are tiny sensors that will embed within smart buildings, helping them reach greater interactivity. Already, such devices are projected to help buildings better interact with occupants. Keeping building environment climate thresholds equalized for individual occupants is one example of how MEMS can personalize buildings — but what are some other possibilities?

Perhaps such tiny and ubiquitous MEMS sensors could communicate with occupant clothing or occupant objects like coffee cups or computer keyboards. Such technology could gain information based on real-time occupant use. Clothing or objects could transmit physiological or behavioral data to the building’s smart system; which could, in turn, interact accordingly. Such interactive architecture could, for example, help employees be more productive through their workday by providing more healthy and personalized office environments.

Ultimately, MEMS could help redefine what it means for architecture to be occupant-centered.

Dreamstimes

When designing technology into architecture it must be integrated – not just to fit in with the aesthetic effects of the architecture, but to also fit into the narrative of the place. All too often, technology sits where conversations should spark. Computers, televisions and even lighting technologies should enhance the functions they support. 

Do you remember the last time you were in a dressing room and felt you looked terrible? Blame it on the lighting that feels like an interrogation is about to begin. In this case, lighting is as much about helping the person to look good as it is to make the clothing look good. All too often design places emphasis on function and forgets the person involved in that function.

Technology should proactively augment your experience, not detract from it.

GreenLiving | Dreamstimes

Sometimes there is a fine line between technology and nature. That line can be as obvious as a window pane or as slight as an accent of green picked out in a textile pattern. There are many ways to integrate nature into an architectural design. For example, be conscious of your choices when selecting features like color and texture. After all, the human senses respond to certain color and texture palettes. 

Mirroring nature in just the right places can make architectural environments more healing. Did you know that patients in rooms with window views of trees reported healing with less pain medication and in reduced time? Nature, in all its dynamic form should serve to inspire and make the architectural space healthy. Whether it be an abstract architectural interpretation or a touch of the outdoors inside, nature with architecture is a powerful union – just don’t forget to make it a conscious and positive one.

Additionally, architectural technology can be used to extract beauty from nature and represent it in unique ways. Have you ever seen a digital media wall of nature? Have you ever walked on a floor that looked like water? Sometimes digital media technology can push you to experience nature in a whole new way. Don’t be afraid to experiment when designing with augmented reality – perhaps designing nature with interactive architectural technologies will make nature and architecture better than the sum of their parts.

Haworth | Architectural Record

This design by Perkins + Will in Holland, Michigan said that they needed an “environment that would change their culture”, according to Architectural Record’s report. This brings up an interesting point. How can interactive architecture help with a corporation’s cultural evolution?

The culture of a place has to do with how its occupants interrelate with each other, with their clients and with their daily work. As corporations grow their cultures evolve – as do the methods used to reflect or influence that culture from architectural space. But what if architectural space can work directly with employees to help a culture evolve? What should drive that corporate cultural evolution?

Perhaps research into productivity from an employee-centered perspective would be most helpful. Client perception of the corporation may also influence how the architectural design comes together. But why stop here? With interactive architecture an office building’s architectural fabric could include interrelation between both of these perspectives, and more. As interactivity is integrated, rules and goals may provide for evolutionary milestones which may target additional objectives like employee efficiency, creativity, sales and health.