Arc/Sec - Laboratory for Cross-Reality Architecture and Interactive Systems

Laboratory for Cross-Reality Architecture and Interactive Systems The arc/sec Lab operates at the intersection of university, industry and community. We transform research into visionary applications.

Our expertise lies in the creation of immersive worlds which combine the qualities of architectural design with dynamic digital interaction.

arc/sec Lab The arc/sec Lab uses digital technologies as dynamic tools to shape, optimise, fabricate, and most importantly, to create intelligent systems, which respond to the user and the environment in ‘real-time’.

In an unprecedented way, this combination expands the possibilities to discover new design solutions. It forms the starting point for the research and development undertaken at the arc/sec Lab and defines our vision to re‑connect the digital world with the multisensory qualities of architecture and urban spaces. Embedded in the School of Architecture and Planning, our mission is to explore, create and implement visionary concepts, which range from object to building scale.

Giving equal attention to the quality of both design worlds, the physical and the digital, we develop user responsive architecture, where dynamic properties of the virtual world are an integral part of the built environment. Through the fusion of material and digital information, linked by intuitive human interaction, we are able to introduce a new hybrid design approach, which we call Cross-Reality Architecture.

Our investigations stretch widely across all disciplines.

To find new solutions, we are working in cross disciplinary teams with bioengineers and engineers, medical and computer scientists, business and marketing specialists, musicians, dancers and artists. As our focus is on the user experience, it is important for us to test and demonstrate our concepts in the form of large-scale prototypes, interactive installations and artistic performances.

Reactive Architecture CROSS-REALITY

The arc/sec Lab takes advantage of both, analogue and digital technologies, to create customised design solutions which stretch across the realities.

Our underling design principle is based on the 1:1 calibration of the physical and digital environment.

Both are interlinked through a feedback loop, which consists of three components: digital input sensors, a real time software engine and digital output devices. Physical processes affect hereby computations and vice versa.

INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS

The outcomes are both, aesthetically and technically sophisticated. They find direct applications in the area of event and exhibition architecture and they offer radical new solutions for all commercial and non-commercial sectors, which require their products, services or environment to be linked to information, experience and identity.

Associate Professor Uwe Rieger is founder and head of the arc/sec Lab for Cross Reality Architecture and Interactive Systems. He is Associate Professor for Design and Design Technology and has worked as architect and researcher in the field of Reactive Architecture for over 20 years. Uwe has exhibited and developed projects for international institutions such as: the Ars Electronica Centre in Austria, the Museum of Modern Art Barcelona (MACBA) in Spain, the Venice Architecture Biennale in Italy, the World EXPO and the International Building Exhibition IBA in Germany, the National Museum of Indonesia, and Te Papa Tongarewa, the National Museum of New Zealand. www.arc-sec.com

HybridObjects / Capsule by D. Patrawala, D. Kwon, S. Rim Lee

Intuitive human interaction is an integral component of our design approach.

We create cyber-physical systems with integrated computational and physical capabilities that allow users to engage with digital information through spatial movement, touch or the physical handling of objects.

Bypassing abstract input forms of digital interfaces such as keyboard, mouse or gestures, our hybrid designs facilitate a direct interaction and an intimate responsiveness to its user.

Featured projects LightTank LightTank expands the principles of contemporary augmented reality (AR) devices from a single person viewing experience towards a communal multi-viewer event. It takes advantage of an anaglyph stereoscopic projection technology, which combined with inexpensive red/cyan cardboard glasses allows the creation of precisely located 3D imagery. LiDAR laser scanners are used to monitor four large transparent projection walls, which are assembled to a tower like construction. The X shaped assembly forms an inhabitable and user interactive holographic volume. LightTank’s highly effective user interface and sensing solution was developed in collaboration with the Augmented Human Lab at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute. www.arc-sec.com/lighttank

LightScale II Lightscale II floats through space like a giant whale. The kinetic structure consists of a 20-metre long carbon construction, which holds a multi-layered transparent projection volume in tension.

Supported by a single low-friction joint, the structure rotates 360 ° and slowly oscillates on the touch of the visitor. A positioning system recognises movement and touch. A live-render program analyses the interaction and augments the physical construction with projected holographic imagery. LightScale II allows the visitor to navigate through a virtual ocean and to catch three-dimensional spatial narratives. www.arc-sec.com/lightscale

SINGULARITY SINGULARITY takes the audience into a cross-reality world of awe and delight by blending data, dance, music, and architecture into an immersive performance. Marked with motion trackers, three dancers become a live interface, which transforms virtual and physical movement into dynamic architectural space. Interactive 3D holographic constructions are generated through projection on fog particles. They form dynamic enclosures for both, the dancers and the audience. The project was developed in collaboration with New Zealand choreographer Carol Brown and French techno composer Jerome Soudan (Mimetic). www.arc-sec.com/singularity

HybridObjects HybridObjects introduce a new breed of user-responsive products.

They are spatially tracked objects, which are linked to audio-visual information by using augmented reality (AR) headsets. Embedded in the object’s fabric are additional sensors and sensory feedback components such as vibration motors, linear actuators and LED`s.

The applications are manifold. They range from interactive user manuals, to health and safety handling protocols, to product experience, and entertainment. HybridObjects follow the hybrid design logic where digital information and dynamic behaviour is an integral part of the product development. www.arc-sec.com/hybridobj

Photo by T. Mesic, Ars Electronica

Engagement

The University of Auckland

The arc/sec Lab offers expertise, support and solutions. We engage with institutions, community, industry and businesses.

R&D The underlying research agenda of the arc/sec Lab is to investigate functional, programmatic and aesthetic design parameters for interactive environments. With a focus on architectural applications, the Lab offers its R&D expertise in the areas: • • • • •

Cross Reality (XR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Hybrid design and interaction design Tangible user interfaces and sensing solutions Kinetic structures and lightweight constructions Stereoscopic and holographic projections

Solutions The arc/sec lab translates academic research into applied products and services.

Our team excels in developing bespoke design solutions and interfaces to create immersive and multi-sensory environments. Examples include: • • • • • •

Event architecture and stage design Exhibition design and information architecture Experiences design and brand identity Retail and display solutions Responsive environments for gastronomy, clubs and hotels Interactive and smart products

Consultancy The arc/sec Lab operates in an interdisciplinary environment across the university.

Often answers to a problem need to come from more than one discipline.

We are able to integrate our extensive network to consult with businesses and entrepreneurs in order to offer solutions or to guide them towards the best way for the realisation of their ideas.

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