spatial manifestations of the human psyche
architecture based on neurological theories of environmental preference & aesthetic experience AR8103 Winter Studio P2: Manifest Building ashley b. biren
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issue Architecture’s fractured relationship with the human psyche deprives occupants from satisfying their needs and desires in the built environment.
position >>>>>>>>>>>
Architecture today fails to provide human cognitive nourishment: architects design buildings as static objects that fail to respond to the users’ needs and desires, while humans favor for an empathetic infrastructure that perceives, adapts, and changes in relation to each person’s idiosyncrasies.
cognitive approach How can we adopt a cognitive approach towards design that will foster neurological nourishment for the occupant? As architects, we can design buildings based on neurological theories of aesthetic experience and environmental preference, through both static and kinetic architectural gestures. These explicit actions are intended to enhance the occupants wellbeing and fulfill their environmental needs and desires.
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project scenario Visual Arts Studio
Client: Sketch Project-based initiative working with ‘street-involved’ small groups of youth in visual arts
Need: A dynamic learning environment for young artists.
= building adapts to user
user adapts to building
=
=
Where? Art & Design District on Queen Street
=
in Fenn reet gs St Q
t Wes treet S n uee
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position in context Designing for Occupant Needs & Wellbeing Through Environmental Preference The building is comprised of both static and adaptive elements that satisfy the user’s functional needs and overall wellbeing within the education environment Architectural Response - Designing for Students’ Environmental Preference
Strategy#1 - The Empathetic Building The building is designed to be empathetic towards its users with the intention of enhancing their spatial experience and wellbeing through both static and adaptive architectural elements.
Strategy#2 - The Utilitarian Building The building must provide spaces that satisfy the users’ functional needs through both static and ever-changing spaces that are not predefined by a single application.
Strategy#3 - The Neuroplastic Building The building will learn from the inhabitant and evolve accordingly over periods of time; eliciting the user’s stimulus through building variations.
01 2
5m
3. East Elevation
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strategies >> tactics Tactics on a MACRO Level
Designing for Wellbeing
Designing for Needs
Strategy #1 The Empathetic Building
Strategy #2 Utilitarian Building
#1 Perceptual
Gradually revealing the building’s entrance way on street level. The ‘peek-a-boo’ effect ensures that the “visual system ‘struggles’ for a solution and does not give up too easily” as the idea of discovering an object is rewarding for the viewer. V.S. Ramachandran & W. Hirstein (1999)
Entice spectators on street level to enter building.
#1
#2 Connection to
The building is orientated towards the park across the street. Building environments that connect people to nature are more supportive of human emotional well-being and cognitive performance. Biologist E.O. Wilson’s - Biophilia (1993)
Ground floor plane is freed to allow for open public space.
#2
#3 The Hearth
The sense of safety and intimacy associated with the hearth may have been a factor in the evolution of intellectual development as well as social bonds. Anthropologist Melvin Konner (2008)
Create a central gathering node for intimate place to congregate.
#3
Tactics
Problem Solving & Ambiguity
Nature
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strategies >> tactics Tactics on a MACRO Level
Designing for Wellbeing
Designing for Needs
Strategy #1 The Empathetic Building
Strategy #2 Utilitarian Building
#4 Legibility & Coherency
Clear Visual Access at Corner People prefer environments that are coherent, ease with which a setting can be organized cognitively, and legible, perceived ease of use. Rachel Kaplan & Stephen Kaplan’s Environmental Preference (1982)
Create a direct connection to the outdoor park through clear glazing. Provides occupants with a visual direct access to outdoor environment.
#4
#5 Mystery
Circulation Mystery - The perception that entering the setting would lead to increased learning, interaction or interest. Rachel Kaplan & Stephen Kaplan’s (1982)
Create an environment that enables the occupant to navigate through the space with ease.
#5
Create an environment with a variety of spaces for informal gathering, individual and collaborative work.
#6
Tactics
Reinforce Connection to Nature
Enticement & Peril
Enticement & Peril - Exploring unseen space and evoking pleasurable distress - Curvilinear surfaces that gradually open information to view
#6 Zoned
Spaces for Prospect & Refuge
People prefer to be in places where they have good visual access to the surrounding environment (high prospect), while also feeling protected and safe (high refuge). Geographer Jay Appleton (2008) Preferred settings have soft, rounded forms and irregular layouts. Suzanne Scott, University of Wisconsin (1992) Variety of informal spaces to encourage relationship development. Opportunity for privacy and for movement between interaction and solitude is desired. - Judith Heerwagen (2008)
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strategies >> tactics Tactics on a MICRO level
Tactics for Strategy #1
A Kinesthetic Empathy
C
Movement patterns associated with safety show motion that is “always changing, yet always staying the same.� - Environmental Psychologist Judith Heerwagen (2008)
B
Sensory Variability Variation in form and light creates a stimulus. Contrast in form and light is intrinsically pleasing to the eye. - V.S. Ramachandran & W. Hirstein (1999)
0
1
2
5m
Section AA
Tactic for Strategy #2 Adaptive Floor in Zoned Spaces
The building will re-configure itself into multiple uses for individual work, collaborative work and exhibition.
A. group work zones
(located closer to atrium)
B. gallery exhibition
(located on second floor)
C. individual work zones (located east of atrium)
narrative hearth adaptive enticement prospect refuge mystery peril coherent variability
(
((
4.
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-
( 3.
((
+ 5.
2.
((( 6.
1. Main Entrance 2. Individual Work Zones 3. Collaborative Work Zones 4. Hearth 5. Informal Seating 6. Gallery Zone Stimulus Enhancing Module Low Body Temperature= Wall Aperture Expansion + High Body Temperature= Wall Aperture Contraction
(
(( High Level of Noise= Wall Aperture Expansion
(((
Low Level of Noise= Wall Aperture Contraction
1.
arrival
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Ground Floor Level
Second Floor Level
Third Floor Level
Fourth Floor Level
1. Entrance Vestibule 2. Collaborative Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 3. Individual Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 4. Individual Work Zone with Storage and Pin-Up Wall 5. Exhibition Zone (Adaptive Floor) 6. Hearth 7. Informal Stair Seating 8. Washroom 9. Storage
arrival
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1. South Elevation
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2. West Elevation
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Ground Floor Level
Second Floor Level
Third Floor Level
Fourth Floor Level
1. Entrance Vestibule 2. Collaborative Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 3. Individual Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 4. Individual Work Zone with Storage and Pin-Up Wall 5. Exhibition Zone (Adaptive Floor) 6. Hearth 7. Informal Stair Seating 8. Washroom 9. Storage
gallery
Perspective on Second Floor Level 00 12
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Ground Floor Level
Second Floor Level
Third Floor Level
Fourth Floor Level
1. Entrance Vestibule 2. Collaborative Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 3. Individual Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 4. Individual Work Zone with Storage and Pin-Up Wall 5. Exhibition Zone (Adaptive Floor) 6. Hearth 7. Informal Stair Seating 8. Washroom 9. Storage
enticement
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Ground Floor Level
Second Floor Level
Third Floor Level
Fourth Floor Level
1. Entrance Vestibule 2. Collaborative Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 3. Individual Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 4. Individual Work Zone with Storage and Pin-Up Wall 5. Exhibition Zone (Adaptive Floor) 6. Hearth 7. Informal Stair Seating 8. Washroom 9. Storage
prospect & refuge prospect & refuge
00 12
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5m 10m
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Ground Floor Level
Second Floor Level
Third Floor Level
Fourth Floor Level
1. Entrance Vestibule 2. Collaborative Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 3. Individual Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 4. Individual Work Zone with Storage and Pin-Up Wall 5. Exhibition Zone (Adaptive Floor) 6. Hearth 7. Informal Stair Seating 8. Washroom 9. Storage
spatial variability
Perspective on Second Floor Level
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Ground Floor Level
Second Floor Level
Third Floor Level
Fourth Floor Level
1. Entrance Vestibule 2. Collaborative Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 3. Individual Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 4. Individual Work Zone with Storage and Pin-Up Wall 5. Exhibition Zone (Adaptive Floor) 6. Hearth 7. Informal Stair Seating 8. Washroom 9. Storage
individual work zones
00 12
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5m 10m
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Ground Floor Level
Second Floor Level
Third Floor Level
Fourth Floor Level
1. Entrance Vestibule 2. Collaborative Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 3. Individual Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 4. Individual Work Zone with Storage and Pin-Up Wall 5. Exhibition Zone (Adaptive Floor) 6. Hearth 7. Informal Stair Seating 8. Washroom 9. Storage
hearth
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Ground Floor Level
Second Floor Level
Third Floor Level
Fourth Floor Level
1. Entrance Vestibule 2. Collaborative Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 3. Individual Work Zones (Adaptive Floor) 4. Individual Work Zone with Storage and Pin-Up Wall 5. Exhibition Zone (Adaptive Floor) 6. Hearth 7. Informal Stair Seating 8. Washroom 9. Storage
Pneumatic Wall Module
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strategy #3 >> tactics The Neuroplastic Building
A The building will learn from the inhabitant and evolve accordingly over periods of time; eliciting the user’s stimulus through building variations.
Individual Zones
Body Temperature Sensing in Adaptive Floor [acknowledge user] [seat temperature sensor]
[low]
[perceive’s need] [skin adapts] [acknowledge user] [seat temperature sensor]
Tactic The building would be comprised of sensing, actuation and control systems that would be able to acknowledge the occupant and change in real-time. External Advice from Dr. James Smith, PEng. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
B
[low]
B
- STIMULUS
EXPANSION
CONTRACTION
[occupant result]
+ STIMULUS
- STIMULUS
[high] [acknowledge user] Group Zones [ultrasonic sensor] Ultrasonic Sensing
[environment result] [occupant result]
SOUND
[low]
EXPANSION [high]
SOUND
SOUND
CONTRACTION [low]
SOUND
+ LIGHT
- LIGHT
+ INTEREST EXPANSION
+ INTEREST CONTRACTION
+ LIGHT
- LIGHT
+ INTEREST
+ INTEREST
The building will re-configure itself into multiple uses for individual work, collaborative work and exhibition.
B
Section BB
+ BODY TEMP.
Adaptive Floor
A
5m
[high]
+ STIMULUS
[environment result]
2
CONTRACTION
[occupant result]
[perceive’sresult] need] [occupant [adapt]
1
- BODY TEMP.
+ BODY TEMP.
[perceive’s need] [skin adapts]
[acknowledge user] [ultrasonic sensor]
0
[high]
EXPANSION
[perceive’s need] [adapt]
B
- BODY TEMP.
How? 1. Cloud-enabled applications 2. Microcontroller 3. Pneumatic Actuator 3. Elastic Surface
Details & Components
1.
++
contraction ++ air pressure
2.
1. 3.
+
4.
5. mid-expansion + air pressure
6.
2.
4.
3.
wall section 1. curtain wall facade (pneumatic module) 2. insulated aluminum panel, steel angle, concrete slab 3. suspended ceiling 4. steel structure
exploded pneumatic module 1. double glazed panes 2. silicone encasement 3. fasteners 4. interior silicone casement 5. pneumatic channels 6. electrostem air valve 7. aluminum frame
7.
=
full expansion neutral state
Built spaces with moderate degrees of complexity, and a sense of refuge coupled with high prospect are more preferred than spaces lacking these characteristics. - Suzanne Scott PhD, University of Wisconsin - Journal of Interior Design Education and Research
Physical Final Model Scale 1:200