Interactive architecture as a therapeutic environment for people with Alzheimer’s disease, a scoping review

As the global population ages, the number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) increases. AD is the most common cause of dementia. In recent years interactive architecture has been developed to enhance the lives of people coping with this disease. This article presents an extensive literature review from existent research projects on how assistive technology (AT) has been used as a physical and cognitive rehabilitation aid to AD and other dementia patients. The review served to identify gaps in AT implemented place. That revealed the following findings: (1) a notable improvement in both physical and cognitive rehabilitation when integrating AT in patients’ therapeutic environments, (2) a positive effect for caregivers when patients used AT individually, and (3) a lack of clarity due to limited studies on the use of AT for daily activities in residents’ rooms at healthcare centers. However, further studies are necessary to explore the AT potential integrating strategies to promote daily activities in the residents’ rooms at healthcare centers, and the architectural factors that could affect ATs’ efficiency.

Perpetual Shift

Perpetual Shift, a responsive art installation, exists at the intersection of digital media, art and architecture, bearing a range of connections to the realm of ubiquitous computing and adding to evolving perspectives in the fields of installation art and interactive architecture by proposing a new mode of engaging with data through the physical built environment. The physical embodiment of the sculpture has the functional properties of a Tangible User Interface and employs an innovative approach to material application to generate multi-modal dynamic output (sight and sound). Though as a device Perpetual Shift is capable of being programmed to function as a form of data-physicalization, this artwork is a form of data-sculpture whereby location of the human body is interpreted as data which drives the actuation of the built environment.

Perpetual Shift

Perpetual Shift, a responsive art installation, exists at the intersection of digital media, art and architecture, bearing a range of connections to the realm of ubiquitous computing and adding to evolving perspectives in the fields of installation art and interactive architecture by proposing a new mode of engaging with data through the physical built environment. The physical embodiment of the sculpture has the functional properties of a Tangible User Interface and employs an innovative approach to material application to generate multi-modal dynamic output (sight and sound). Though as a device Perpetual Shift is capable of being programmed to function as a form of data-physicalization, this artwork is a form of data-sculpture whereby location of the human body is interpreted as data which drives the actuation of the built environment.

Rethinking Engagement: Transforming Space into Place via Sensing Technology

The proliferation of media technologies can transform human‘s engagement and their sense of place with their environment, and it is important to revisit the role of architects when designing public physical places in the digital era. Juhanni Pallasmaa and Merleau-Ponty‘s arguments on senses, perception and movement within a space are all re-occurring themes in this design exploration. Yu-Fi Tuan‘s concept of transforming a space into a place is also used, especially when interacting with the space by utilizing our senses. Finally, Huizinga‘s ideas on what constitutes play within a space; has also been applied. This thesis aims to reconfigure a space and transform it into a place where sensing technology is used to stimulate senses to encourage the user to engage with the physical space. The advancement of digital technology in architecture has resulted in a new phenomenon referred to as interactive architecture which makes up the foundation for this thesis.

Rethinking Engagement: Transforming Space into Place via Sensing Technology

The proliferation of media technologies can transform human‘s engagement and their sense of place with their environment, and it is important to revisit the role of architects when designing public physical places in the digital era. Juhanni Pallasmaa and Merleau-Ponty‘s arguments on senses, perception and movement within a space are all re-occurring themes in this design exploration. Yu-Fi Tuan‘s concept of transforming a space into a place is also used, especially when interacting with the space by utilizing our senses. Finally, Huizinga‘s ideas on what constitutes play within a space; has also been applied. This thesis aims to reconfigure a space and transform it into a place where sensing technology is used to stimulate senses to encourage the user to engage with the physical space. The advancement of digital technology in architecture has resulted in a new phenomenon referred to as interactive architecture which makes up the foundation for this thesis.