Interactive Environments

Instructor

Anijo Mathew

In a world mediated by computing, our lives are no longer lived in physical spaces alone, but rather in intersections between the virtual world and the physical world. In many ways, physical architecture is now often augmented, and at times, supplanted by virtual or hybrid architectures. We have our physical identities and then we have our virtual identities. And both of these do not necessarily correspond with each other. We interact differently based on whether we delve in virtual space (Second Life, MMORPGs), physical space (Swiss House, Hyposurface), or hybrids of the two (MIT ambientRoom, Stanford iLoft). With such technologies at hand, designers may have to develop new strategies for evaluating and designing interactive spaces where traditional brick and mortar once worked well.

The Interactive Spaces seminar will look at different variations of interactive and reactive spaces, evaluating current research and designs in this field. The seminar will concentrate on the construction of virtual space, identities and characteristics of physical and virtual actors, immersion of computing into physical space, and hybrid environments. Students will use a case-study method to study and critique examples of interactive spaces. Through these examples, students will be able to evaluate the technological, economic, and socio-cultural implications of “new” interactive spaces and places which offer new ways of working, playing, praying, learning etc. External speakers may be invited to participate in the discourse when available.

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