The course looks at the expanding overlap between interaction design and architecture, to explore how the ideas and methods of interaction design can be applied in larger environments and spaces, and considered as part of an architectural or overall design approach. The course investigates emerging trends in sensate space design and interactive architecture, looking towards larger scale experiences, using architectural or physical spaces as the arena for interaction.

There is a theory that we are ill-suited to the increasingly safe and under-stimulating environments we create for ourselves. The theory takes as evidence increasing levels of attention deficit disorder (ADHD), using this to point to our possibly needing more and more complex stimuli in our environments. Against this, there is also a range of theories and studies suggesting that our lives are often overstimulated. This very open question of what kind of environment we as human beings need, and how it should respond to us, and interact with us, will be used as a starting point for a lively and broad ranging exploration of the uses of interaction design in larger environments – whether for architectural; immersive, aesthetic or atmospheric design; or purely functional purposes.

This by definition means looking beyond the direct point and click-style interactions to less direct forms: the environment becomes an eco-system where people are possibly one, but not the only, active ingredient. Interactions are considered for their contribution to an overall effect in the environment, rather than purely for the directness of a deliberate request, action, cause and effect. Interactions can be designed as ephemeral, passive, playful and incidental rather than deliberate, for a specific purpose and with a specific and predictable result..

The course is aimed at both design and architecture students, working in cross-disciplinary collaboration, and aims to foster thinking and designing beyond the material object; to understand the space of sensorial range and effect that modulate in a feedback relation our environment.

Students will

- get an overview of a broad range of existing work and theories in the fields of sensate space, interactive architecture, immersive environments and digital installation art.

- gain a grounding in basic sensor and camera technologies and how they can be used to create reactive and interactive experiences.

- build a theoretical and practical framework to begin to predict how humans (complex beings) are likely to react to such interventions

- be able to use tools and methods for prototyping interaction concepts and problems

- gain experience at collaboration, within and across disciplines.

The course builds on hands-on learning through doing by experimenting with physical interaction: sensing the environment, processing data, and affecting the world.

Students will be expected to develop a range of concepts for interaction within environments and architectural space, and present these either as working models, prototypes or simulations.

Hands-on experience with an existing hardware setup will form part of the deliverables. This may involve access to a 3D grid of individually controllable LED lights, developed as part of an AHO associated research project, that makes abstract full colour dynamic visualisations in physical space possible.

These workshops will be combined with more theoretical and analytical sessions, looking at a range of ideas, possibilities and existing relevant projects.

Finally, projects will also be evaluated for their practicality - longevity, cost, benefits, environmental impact and so on.

Evaluation will be based on the following elements in percentage:

• 80% Design projects, presentations, online deliverables, workshops and appropriate presentation material for the end of term AHO-works exhibition. Projects will be assessed for their creativity, expression, innovation, usability and appropriateness of design

• 20% Evaluative report

The semester has an 80% mandatory general attendance and a 90% attendance at lectures and workshops.

The course is assessed as pass/fail, subject to the Regulations for Master’s degree programmes at Oslo School of Architecture and Design, § 6-14.

Mandatory reading:

Grau, O. (2003). Virtual art: from illusion to immersion. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.

Uexküll, J. v. (1936). Niegeschaute Welten: die Umwelten meiner Freunde : ein Erinnerungsbuch. Berlin: Fischer.

Recommended reading:

Bullivant, L. (2005). 4dspace: interactive architecture. London: Wiley-Academy.

Bullivant, L. (2007). 4dsocial: interactive design environments. London: Wiley.

Fox, M., & Kemp, M. (2009). Interactive architecture. New York: Princeton Architectural Press.

Noel, S., Rucki, E., & Freyer, C. (2008). Digital by design: crafting technology for products and environments. London: Thames & Hudson.