Image: rox sm | Flickr

The experience of mobile architecture can be quite a powerful thing. Take for instance the BMW Guggenheim Laboratory that was constructed in New York — there, on a rather small lot, this lab was assembled to serve as think-tank and community center. And the beauty of this is that such architecture does a lot to uplift an area.

To explain further as to why this is the case, the following are seven reasons why mobile architecture can be a good thing for a local community:

Top 7 Reasons Why Mobile Architecture Can Leave a Permanent Positive Mark

1. Mobile architecture can revitalize an area, turning an abandoned or difficult-to-use space into a notable place that sparks community pride. Plus, depending on its function, mobile architecture can be set up for events that also help to boost community participation and spirit.
2. Mobile architecture can be transformed. Thus, there is a changeability factor that comes into place when considering mobile architecture. With some prescience it becomes possible to provide for a variety of functions within a given area over a period of time. Again, events can be more truly celebrated.
3. Mobile architecture can be built quickly, and as such it can be transported to different parts of the world. Thus, a place (or an event) can become global — giving multiple cultures a chance to experience a particular idea of place.
4. Mobile architecture doesn’t have to follow all of architecture’s rules. In other words, it can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly — something more traditional architecture doesn’t do. This means that mobile architecture can fit into unique space, can be constructed at unique times, and can be used in unique ways.
5. Mobile architecture can create “spirit of place”. Because mobile architecture can be tied to events so easily, it can quite inherently take on a “spirit of place” as a community gathers around its intended functions. Just because an architecture is mobile does not mean that it makes less of an impact because of its impermanence. Instead, it has the power to launch both individual and collective experiences of curiosity, pride, memory, and so on.
6. Mobile architecture can test new ideas. Because mobile architecture is less permanent and can travel, it is a great way to test new ideas within architecture. Almost like a portable laboratory, mobile architecture is a great way to see how different people (even of different cultures) react to given architectural compositions.
7. Mobile architecture can be timelier. Because mobile architecture can be erected quickly and can travel, it has the ability to react in a timelier fashion to current events within a community. Thus, it can smooth-over a difficult time, or it can conjure up great excitement for an area. Mobile architecture has this advantage of being able to respond more quickly.

Thus, I will leave you with a time-lapse video of the BMW Guggenheim Laboratory that went up in New York. Think about the latter seven benefits of mobile architecture the next time you are presented with an opportunity to design such a structure.

Here’s the video:

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image: nate steiner | Flickr

Samsung has come out with a transparent smart window, and I think it will be interesting to see how this impacts architectural design. You see, such a smart window provides much added functionality — particularly if certain apps get created for this particular “window-type” smart use.

Now, before I go on, I’d like to show you what these transparent smart windows look like. Here’s the video:

So, will such a smart window do much to improve architectural design? Or could it destroy an architectural design if not integrated correctly? Well, I think it can do both, depending on how it’s used.

I think the placement of such smart windows will be paramount, as will attention to making sure technology isn’t getting in the way. You see, such a smart window is really all about what is going on inside of a room. But I question — what will happen if the window begins to use apps that also take into account what is going on in the nearby exterior? What if the window becomes more truly interactive?

Suddenly, this transparent smart window will act as a communication portal that connects the interior with the exterior in new ways. Already, checking your Twitter account is an “exterior”, but what about your immediate surrounding context?

In order for the smart window to be truly innovative (where it is more than just a computer slapped onto a window), it needs to go-between what a window does and what a computer does. In other words, I think with appropriate app development, some pretty amazing things can be achieved with such a transparent smart window.

For instance, the window succeeds in tying “window” with “computer” as it provides weather information. While simple in theory, looking out of this window will give you more weather information than looking out of a non-smart window. Suddenly, you can not only see the sunshine outside through the window, but you can also see the forecast which calls for rain later in the day. Thus, looking out of this window provides “bigger eyes” — allowing you to delve deeper.

The main point with all of this is to make sure that if you use such a window in your design, it is not fragmenting functionalities for occupants. In other words, make sure that it is uniting functionalities, where associations are more streamlined and congruent. Thus, this smart window can really serve to improve your architectural design if you are conscientious about where and how it will be used. Placement within a home, office, or school could make or break its success.

Place it in the wrong location and this smart window could be a wasted opportunity where it gets in the way. I am also curious as to how finger-prints are dealt with which may obstruct any views.

The key here is to not see this window as simply a boundary between interior and exterior, but as a portal which could also connect two interior spaces. The notion of a “transparent smart surface” will likely manifest into better architectural design uses, as that opens up the potential for more creativity in getting this “window” used in new and more truly innovative ways.

So, all in all, I’d say this is a great step forward — but now it’s up to designers to figure out how best to incorporate such a technology so it’s not in the way, but instead shows the way. Perhaps the magic will reside in the apps that get uploaded to this window; thus, its functionality will provide for better architectural experiences where not only eyes become “bigger”, but the other senses do as well.

Please Tell Me What You Think

I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter and Facebook followers by clicking on the “re-tweet” and “like” button at the beginning of this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image Credit: jan.tito | Flickr

Within architecture, there are many places where occupant choice surfaces. Every time an occupant makes a decision on where to go, what to focus on, or what to feel — they are interacting with your architecture, and making decisions based off of it. So, why is occupant choice so important?

Choice is everywhere. And for you as an architect, it is your job to distill those choices within your environments for your occupants. By making their choices clear, and meaningful, their experiences will be that much richer.

The key is also to align the architectural design choices which you provide for occupants with their needs in time. So, from moment to moment, your occupants are thinking, feeling, and doing in response to your architecture — thus, the choices which your buildings provide must be clear, meaningful, and inspired.

As your occupants “choose” while taking a journey through your designed built space, keep in mind that it is as though they are reading an interactive story, where they decide where to go (within the confines of the environment you have designed). So, should you think of yourself as an architect that is an interactive storyteller?

Perhaps yes, because this might be a way to get you to better understand your occupant’s narrative, including what they need, when they need it, and why. The main idea is to help your occupants reach their goals — and a significant contribution to help them do that is to provide the right guidance through your architectural work: in other words, the right choices.

Please Tell Me What You Think

I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter and Facebook followers by clicking on the “re-tweet” and “like” button at the beginning of this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image Credit: rox sm | Flickr

Architecture surrounds occupants, it engages them, and it guides them. A well designed work can make an experience brighter, livelier, happier, and more meaningful. So, why are so many buildings today designed at the status quo, where they are there to meet the bare essentials? Perhaps it is because many architects today do not think in terms of holistic design thinking.

You see, holistic design is a work that considers all of the senses. It is a place where aspects like attention, focus, learning, and memory have been addressed. Holistically designed places can be soothing, comfortable, inspirational, and even beautiful.

The main idea is to not get rid of function in hopes of amplifying aesthetics. No. The main strategy is instead, to further unify function with aesthetics — where each is designed consciously from the perspective of all the senses. In doing this, an architectural design will be richer and more universal, being able to meet the needs of both the individual and the collective.

So, I invite you to think in terms of a holistic design perspective. Understand that this is the true language of how humans perceive, and that is the language which you should use to best communicate with your building occupants. After all, that is how you will make a positive difference in their life, by designing to meet their needs in a way that contributes proactively to the very aspects of life they wish to experience.

Please Tell Me What You Think

I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter and Facebook followers by clicking on the “re-tweet” and “like” button at the beginning of this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Featured Image Takeaway Design Strategy:

When you design architecture, how do you think about scale? Is it something that you simply understand intuitively, where you design for it on the fly? Or do you try to make statements with your architecture about scale? …where you give some serious thought to the behaviors, emotions, and thinking that may go on for an occupant when you provide for spaces of different scales? In the image above, you can see how the scale is enlarged — as though to engulf the occupant experience within. So, I invite you to think about scale within your own work — are there places where you might want to exaggerate it? Or are there places where you would want the scale to be more intimate?

To Apply This Strategy, Ask Yourself:

Find ways to play with scale that make sense for your given project. Ask yourself about whether changing the overall scale of a space would impact occupants for the better. Often, scale can become about needing more physical space — but please do keep in mind that there are ways to play with scale that use the same amount of space. The key is to understand the different ways occupants might respond given the different ways that you present scale to them within your work. Within the image above, occupants may think of that space as lonely, inspirational, or inspiring awe. It all depends on context. So, be sure to give your use of scale another pass, to make sure that you’re creating the right kind of space within which your occupants can thrive.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image Credit: szeke | Flickr

Did you know that there is memory bias? That is, memory can be changed, boosted, or impaired. So, if this is the case: What makes building occupants form stronger architectural memories than others?

Well, according to a Memory Bias article in Science Daily, there are many ways that memory bias can occur – but there are three main aspects. They are humor, positivity, and self-generated memories. Each of these latter aspects can boost memory in people. So, with this, I wonder how these play a role in architectural design.

After all, there are times where a design can be funny (or fun). There are times when a design can accentuate the positive over the negative. And there are times when a design can help an occupant self-generate information to remember through the act of engaging with them more interactively. So, does it then become safe to assume that architecture that does these things will be more memorable? And memorable at the exact moment where these memory boosters occur?

As you design, you should ask yourself how your occupants are likely to remember your building and their experiences there after they have left. Are there places within your building where it is fun? Positive? Or engaging?

Thus, to design and build a memorable building you may want to strive for those three goals: a design that is fun, positive, and engaging. Your building will likely be more enjoyable to experience, will function better, and will leave a longer lasting impression on your occupants. And of course, a great reason to be concerned with leaving an impression upon your occupants is that it can be one of value, that brings them benefit well after they have left your building.

So, remember: Fun + Positive + Engaging = Memory Boost

Please Tell Me What You Think

I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter and Facebook followers by clicking on the “re-tweet” and “like” button at the beginning of this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image Credit: Wolfgang Staudt | Flickr

A recent study was done, mentioned in The Economist article entitled Pricing and the Brain: Hitting the Spot, where actual changes within the brain occur that substantiate this: If told something is more valuable, then a person actually enjoys it more. As the article explains, there may be something to this involving expectation. So how does this relate to architectural design?

Well, what if upon entering a building, someone told you that it was designed by a very famous and prestigious architect? Do you think you would enjoy your experience within that building more than if you didn’t know this fact? Perhaps you would pay more attention to the building, its details, and engage with it more than if you had never known about its renowned creator. Would you take extra time while within the building to savor it? My guess is that the average person probably would.

But the implication of this notion of heightened perceived value affecting architectural enjoyment doesn’t end there.

What about the exterior of your building? Do you think this might have an effect upon how well-received and enjoyable your architecture is for occupants? Just as when proper marketing can boost product enjoyment, as explained in The Economist article, perhaps the way you “guide” your occupants into your building plays a role in their enjoyment of it once inside.

Within this way of thinking, your building exterior becomes ever more important as it sets the stage — and your occupants’ expectations about their impending experience. An exterior that is well designed will automatically send triggers to your occupant which let them know that what awaits them on the inside will be of equal or higher value for them. And since you would be setting this high expectation, it is important to get the design of the interior right — so as to not fall short of reaching their expectations.

So, the important thing for you to remember here is that you are always setting or meeting expectations for your occupants as they travel about your building. You’re setting them up for value, and your goal is to reach that value for them with your design. Thus, as you design, you should always think about what you are showing your occupants about the perceived value of your building. And I’m not talking just about the actual cost of the building, but also the design attention given to details that indicate it is a building design of high quality: a one-of-a-kind and valuable architectural experience.

Additionally, your clients will like this way of thinking as well, since they often want to promote some sort of experiential enjoyment within their buildings. The key is to understand how to design your work so that it communicates value to occupants early-on in their experience. This will help to ensure that their experience will be one of enjoyment, if their expectations are met by your design.

Please Tell Me What You Think

I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter and Facebook followers by clicking on the “re-tweet” and “like” button at the beginning of this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Featured Image Takeaway Design Strategy:

Within most buildings, transparency manifests through typical windows and skylights that occur throughout the building. Yes, they let in light — but are they really a “sculptural” part of the architecture? You might ask: How much do these fenestrations contribute to the interior space for occupant perception and functionality? You see, when transparency becomes part of the architectural form, a few things begin to happen. This mindset shift allows your masses and voids that make up your architecture to yield a unique architectural language — and the lighting atmosphere that results for your occupants within will be more sculpted, more dynamic, and thus, more exciting to experience.

To Apply This Strategy, Ask Yourself:

Remember that the position of your building upon its site is critical to achieve good natural lighting effects — especially when dealing with masses and voids that make up your building’s architectural language. Consider occupant views, different light intensities, and the use of color with transparency to give shape to your interior architectural spaces. Have you ever stopped to consider that light, filtered through your architecture, can exist as an architectural element that guides your occupant along their journey through your work? Don’t take lighting for granted, using it only to meet functional needs — you should also consider the power that is has as a poetic architectural element that can bring much inspiration, guidance, and beauty for your occupants through your architectural design.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Featured Image Takeaway Design Strategy:

The transition that exists between your different architectural elements can really help to guide your occupant’s gaze (visual attention) as they scope out your work. You see, perception is really an act of exploring — and when you guide your occupants to explore within your work, you are in a sense inviting them to experience it more intimately along their journey. So, as you design your different architectural elements, and the way they “fit” together, be sure to also seriously consider their in-between design gestures. That is, you should allow your various connections to “talk” to their surrounding elements in a way that guides the eye to experience your space.

To Apply This Strategy, Ask Yourself:

Transition can be created by using techniques involving rhythm, variations in geometric forms, or play with masses and voids that guide your occupants to explore the space. Remember that you are creating a unique architectural “language” with your work, and the transitions which you embed within are your “words” that guide your occupants through.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

The year 2011 has proven to be a great year for Sensing Architecture. Traffic has grown by approximately 30% in 2011, and there are now approximately 4,600 subscribers who have joined the Sensing Architecture community! (If you have not joined yet, you can do so here.)

Additionally, Sensing Architecture continues to reach its readers internationally, where I receive an abundance of emails from you, my readers, with kind words about my work on Sensing Architecture — thank you to all of those who took the time to send me such an email.

Looking Ahead Into 2012:
Exciting New Developments for Sensing Architecture

I predict that Sensing Architecture will continue on its upward trend of growth in 2012, but in addition to this, there will be several exciting new developments for which you should be on the lookout. They are as follows:

• ArchiSensing Design Lab Launch: First and foremost is the launch of the ArchiSensing Design Lab, a course which I have been working on for launch in 2012. I am very excited about this course, for it will provide opportunity for me to teach you at length and in sequence about many of the topics covered here at Sensing Architecture. If you would like to learn more about how the ArchiSensing Design Lab course can help you, simply click here.
• Book Publication Contributor: In 2012, a chapter which I wrote on the subject of Sensory Design will be published in a text book — I can’t say more than this now, but I will let you know as soon as the book comes out on the market. It should be a great read and a great resource for you.
• Design Insight Subscriber Growth: I predict that subscriber growth for the Design Insight newsletter will continue to rise at a rapid pace. Already, there are over 4,600 members who have joined — and that number keeps on rising steadily. Again, if you have not yet joined the Design Insight Newsletter, you can do so by clicking here. It’s a great way to get exclusive content that is not available on Sensing Architecture — plus, as a member, you will be among the first to know once doors to the ArchiSensing Design Lab open for student enrollment. In short, I extend a big “thank you” to all of my subscribers for keeping Sensing Architecture’s readership not only steady, but rapidly growing.
• Increased Twitter, Facebook, and Google + Integration: In 2011, it was no secret that Google + surfaced and is being used by many today. Well in 2012, I aim to integrate social media even further into Sensing Architecture’s growing community. Many of you, my readers, access the SA site content from Twitter, Facebook, or Google +, so I aim to connect a bit more with you in those social media spaces as well.
• Sensing Architecture iPhone App: In 2011, the Sensing Architecture iPhone App was released, and I do hope that those of you that downloaded it are enjoying it. It’s a great way to access Sensing Architecture while on the go! If you would like to download this Sensing Architecture App, simply click here.
• Audio & Video Podcasts: In 2011, the addition of multi-media articles were published on Sensing Architecture to diversify the content, and to use media to better communicate teachable concepts. In 2012, more emphasis will be placed on such multi-media articles — including the “Gallery Image Strategies” which I can tell that you, my readers, love. So, be on the lookout for some additional multi-media podcasts and image galleries that further our architectural design discussions on Sensing Architecture. I hope you will enjoy experiencing them, as much as I enjoy creating them!
• And So Much More: The next year will no doubt be full of other wonderful surprises. In the meantime, know that I appreciate your taking the time to participate in Sensing Architecture — I hope you have a wonderful new year. Here’s to making your 2012 the best year yet!

Happy New Year!

Maria Lorena Lehman
Founder of Sensing Architecture

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman