01 Observer Effect | Cultural Centre and Archive, Brighton 4th Year Design Project (2020-21) | [p

01 Observer Effect | Cultural Centre and Archive, Brighton 4th Year Design Project (2020-21)

BLOB 00

BLOB 01

BLOB 02

zoom call tracking

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setup

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kinect tracking

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scan here

collaborative interaction

hand projected onto geometry hand position

rendered view projected onto massing model

3d geometry displaced by hand position

We were given the brief of ‘Uncertainty’ to which my response was the publics subjective interpretation and interaction with space. Thus, the explorative phase of my project revolved around developing live and interactive drawings with real-time multimedia package touchDesigner, in which models, digital and physical, were influenced by the viewer, captured with webcams, body-tracking AI’s and microphones. These models established live feedback loops where the viewer is required to change their behaviour to achieve idealised forms. The first drawing presented above required three members of a zoom call to position their phone within the screen to influence the dimensions of a cube. Moving into the physical the model below used projective mapping and a kinect sensor to create a reactive model which distorted according to the viewer’s position.

1. 3-way collaborative drawing 2. Projection mapped interactive model 3. Final interactive massing model 4. Touchdesigner script for final building presentation.

Explorations into developing live interactive feedback loops between user and form led me to the brief of a cultural building that incorporated the publics activity whether directly influencing form or incorporating secondary recordings. Inspired by the participatory design approaches of Lucien Kroll and Walter Segal, the brief required me to develop a design approach that allowed end users to have a meaningful impact on the end result. In the final presentations of my building project, I was able to explain the concept and massing principles through these live drawings. Rather than a fixed form, the tutors and critics were able to witness their own influence, establishing a live feedback loop that captured the dialogue between the group.

Workshop/Studio - Personalised spaces scaled and positioned by the end user with components placed within the boundary, including an Oriel Window and ancilary cast concrete volume.

Archive - Delicate Caligraphy is calibrated into a solar shading device, creating a diffuse interior perfact for reading. W N

bottega / studiolo

archive/ observation

events

courtyard partii wall

cafe E

Events Hall - Modular block facade takes on personalised pieces created by as many members of the public as possible. Apertures mediate light and ventilation.

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16m 13m

11m 8m

15.5m 4m

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VERTICAL CIRCULATION Cafe - Ribbed profiles create transparent space that is articulated by zoom profiles.

The cultural centre is broken down into 4 key buildings which each utilise a source of activity data to influence its form, whether translating archived signatures or webcam feeds from zoom sessions.

This resulted in a kit-of-parts explored in detail within my Design Realisation report. Fundamentally the brief required me to understand the material and structural limitations of these components and desired spatial qualities of the programme to identify areas of freedom to unlock to the end user in the design process.

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zoom tracking

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extrude taper twist

panel variants

1. Detailed Section and Exploded ISO of hall facade components 2. Diagrams explaining form influence 3. Diagrams explaining panel variants and their position based on solar radiance 4. Exploded ISO showing layering of timescales

As an example of how research allowed me to identify moments of public participation, the facade of the events hall takes on a language of distorted wooden boxes which based on desired solar gain and shading in the winter and summer months, are positioned, and scaled accordingly.

Node based design languages like grasshopper allowed me to predetermine the methods of translation based on analysis of the base massing’s form. Parametric design allowed me to accommodate the uncertainties generated through the publics participation, ensuring identified spatial and structural requirements were maintained.

The window for public participation would not only be limited to the design stages before completion but also in the continued use and repair of the building. This is reflected in the structural layering of the architecture, utilising heavier carbon costing materials in the foundations of the structure but selecting less durable and costly materials for cladding, internal finishes, and furniture.

HALL FACADE

This allows the architecture to continue to reflect the evolving needs of the public and archive, rather than a fixed form it becomes a feedback loop in dialogue with the city.

Board agrees a business strategy to begin defining the brief, consulting with other board members and applying for government funding through Stage 1.

uh.. yet another development that has failed to involve the context. I remember their public consultations, all PR management and no meaningful engagement. No wonder why the public feel ignored.

Before I resign i must set in place a better framework for public engagement, this has to stop.

Good morning fellow brightonians, anyone seen that absolute eye-sore popping up on charles st?

When did this all pop up? What happened to the GP that was there before?

While enjoying her 1 hour of permitted exercise under the latest COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, leader of the opposition, Councillor Nancy Platts, passes yet another building development vandilised with anti-gentrification messages. Organised protests had ensued over the evening, attended by local residents and business owners looking to retain their right to the city.

At her Bi-Monthly zoom review with the GBEB, Nancy raises her observations. Other board members agree that a publically driven project would be perfect for increasing pride of place as they emerge from the pandemic. Adam Tickell, President of the University of Sussex points towards the Mass Observation Archive as great source of anecdotal insight. how can we know what they want? We could conduct a poll but good luck finding a consensus within a place so full of individuals. RADIO

Returning home, Nancy, reads the local newspaper to see the public reception of her announced resignation from her position on the council only to find yet another permitted development recieving public contestation.

Wow, this period of reflection has really sparked a willingness to shape a brighter future.

MOB have just published their 12th May Diary entries for 2020. I’m sure you’ll find insights into the pandemic response there.

scan here Just as people sort to shape their homes and gardens into places of serenity, we should give them the ability to shape their city.

Exploring the collection at the Archive Nancy finds overwhelming messages of hope, kindness and a shared longing for change.

This projects ambition is to completely radicalise the design process. Let’s give the people power! How should we define the scope, site and budget? hmm... surely this won’t amount to anything? This is usually just a ploy to sign off on someone else’s profit making scheme..

Hiya, do you have a minute to answer some questions about living in brighton? Strange! The poster warps as we move!

Lets ask the public! ...sounds risky... lets go!

Board agrees a business strategy to begin defining the brief, consulting with other board members and applying for government funding for Stage 1.

This site fits our projected cost and capacity. We already lease some of the retail units, perhaps their business could be consolidated in the final proposal.

Potential Sites owned by members of the board are identified with the final decision informed by level of initial public engagement and estimated crowdsourced funding.

CV_#517

occupation: architect

“I will do everything in my nature to maximise the cooperation of the client in the design process.” CV_#419

occupation: qs

“Budgets will be optimised to allow as much customisation as possible”

occupation: engineer CV_#659“A simple superstructure will accommodate a wide range of spatial outcomes” As part of the budget a marketing strategy begins to garner attention to the project, asking for anecdotal contributions through physical and digital platforms. As the MOP refers to its contributors as ‘Observers’ so will the project team.

Okay, after assessing the scope and design we now have a rough outline strategy for moving forward.

This should be enough to begin fundraising.Design team appointed through a democratic process amongst board members and observers. Promotional videos and online CVs are shared to aid the decision.

In order to illustrate the many opportunities for public participation and the differences from traditional routes of procurement, I produced a short comic book which later served as a storyboard for an animated film. This

Rough Programme is outlined once the observed strategy is set.

helped sell the narrative of the scheme and the ways in which public tracking data was transferred into fixed forms and later adapted through the projects lifecycle.

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Perspective Locations An animated film became integral to the portrayal of the imagined narratives of the project’s conception, public participation, and continued reconfiguration.

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1. Central Courtyard 2. Observation Archive 3. Community Hall 4. Bottega / Studiolo

[Academic use only]

Concluding project to my Part II studies, this project is a culmination of extensive research into digital architectures and their interactions and influence over the user. Informed by research into virtual reality and its potential application in transforming spatial and self-cognition, this YOI integrates digital architectures to aid rehabilitation of the individual.