Interactive Pavilion
Project: The “Aura” Interactive Pavilion
“Aura” is a temporary public installation designed to create a dynamic dialogue between human presence and the built environment. It is a lightweight, computationally-designed structure that responds to the movement and proximity of visitors through changes in light and form, fostering a sense of connection and play.
1. Design Concept and Philosophy
The core idea behind Aura was to create a piece of architecture that feels “alive.” We wanted to move beyond static structures and explore how a space could actively engage with its inhabitants, turning passive observers into active participants.
From Spectator to Participant
The pavilion is designed to be discovered. From a distance, it appears as a delicate, crystalline form. As visitors approach, however, they realize that their presence has an effect. The structure gently shifts, and its internal lighting system pulses and changes color, creating a unique “aura” around each individual or group.
Blurring Boundaries
Aura blurs the lines between art, architecture, and technology. It uses computational design to generate its complex geometry and integrates a network of sensors and actuators to create its responsive behaviors. The goal is to create a seamless and intuitive experience where the technology becomes invisible, and the interaction feels magical.
2. Technical Implementation
The realization of Aura required a multi-disciplinary approach, combining advanced fabrication with custom electronics and software.
Computational-Generated Form
The pavilion’s lattice structure was generated using a custom algorithm that optimized for structural integrity while maintaining a sense of lightness and porosity. The script generated over 500 unique components that were then digitally fabricated and assembled on-site.
Sensor and Actuator Network
- Proximity Sensors: A network of infrared proximity sensors is embedded throughout the structure to detect the location and density of visitors.
- LED Lighting: Each node of the lattice contains a custom RGBW LED that can be individually addressed.
- Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) Actuators: Select joints are fitted with SMA wires. When a small electric current is applied (triggered by prolonged visitor presence in a specific zone), the wires contract, causing subtle, slow shifts in the pavilion’s canopy.
The “Brain”
A central control system running custom software processes the sensor data in real-time and orchestrates the response of the lighting and SMA actuators. The software is designed to create emergent behaviors, allowing for complex and unpredictable patterns to arise from simple interaction rules.
3. Visitor Experience and Impact
The public reception to Aura was overwhelmingly positive. Visitors were captivated by the direct and playful nature of the interaction.
Fostering Connection
We observed that the pavilion became a social catalyst. Strangers would collaborate to trigger larger light shows, and children would invent games based on the structure’s responses. By creating a shared, interactive experience, Aura fostered a sense of community and collective wonder.
Future Possibilities
The Aura project serves as a successful prototype for a new kind of responsive architecture. The technologies and strategies developed here could be scaled and adapted for a variety of applications, from interactive museum exhibits to adaptive building facades that respond to environmental conditions. It is a first step towards a future where our buildings are not just shelters, but active partners in our daily lives.