DYSLEXIC LANDS
DYSLEXIC LANDS
Research Team: Alireza Shahi, Adib Iravani, Hossein Panjeh Pour
Role: Research
Client: –
Location: Isfahan, Iran
Date: 2019
In the field of medicine, there is a condition known as dyslexia. This condition is marked by a difficulty in the part of the brain responsible for processing language. People with dyslexia often struggle with recognizing and understanding a significant portion of written words.
Throughout history, many prominent individuals have dealt with dyslexia. For example, Albert Einstein, famous for his groundbreaking work in physics, did not begin speaking until he was four years old. His mother was informed by a doctor that while he would eventually talk, her child might experience developmental delays. Similarly, Thomas Edison, celebrated for his inventions, scored poorly in physics and was expelled from school due to perceived intellectual shortcomings. Emile Zola, the respected French writer, often faced difficulties in his literature classes. It’s worth noting that figures like Picasso, James Watt, Napoleon, and Louis Pasteur also struggled with this disorder. Surprisingly, despite the challenges posed by dyslexia, these individuals eventually emerged as geniuses. Their experiences highlight the idea that genius can arise even in the face of what initially seems like intellectual limitations.
Unlucky Lands
A similar situation can be observed in cities. Today’s cities have abandoned spaces for various reasons. Despite having significant potential to be integrated into the urban activity network, these spaces have been neglected or, at best, turned into green areas. For instance, in the city of Isfahan, these spaces, mainly created by unbalanced urban development and located next to newly constructed streets, either lack specific functions or have been converted into parking lots and green spaces. However, these changes have not been embraced by the citizens and have become more of a surplus element rather than something useful for the community.
Rem Koolhaas refers to these spaces as “junk spaces” or “wasted spaces.” These are areas that are poorly designed, not properly utilized, or lack a cohesive and defined function. He describes them as spaces that have emerged due to rapid development without proper planning. These spaces have distinct characteristics that set them apart from other areas in terms of design and function. They are often without a clear purpose, lack visual appeal, and have no particular cultural or social significance. These spaces may include vast parking lots, identity-less shopping centers, leftover spaces around highways, or empty and unfamiliar areas in office buildings.
McCullough refers to these underutilized empty spaces as “silent commons,” stating that they may exist physically or digitally and quietly influence human experiences indirectly.
Main Characteristics of Wasted Spaces
Impacts of Wasted Spaces
Wasted spaces can have several negative effects on cities and communities:
Ambient Common
These spaces are usually located in areas that are accessible to the public and can be transformed into spaces that promote social interactions and strengthen connections within the community. By converting wasted spaces into public and social areas, the quality of life in urban communities can improve. They can serve as venues for cultural, artistic, and recreational activities, helping to enhance public well-being and create beautiful and functional spaces.
Considering the characteristics and benefits of wasted spaces, McCullough introduces the concept of “Ambient Common” to improve the quality of life and enhance social interactions in urban communities. “Ambient Commons” are spaces that are turned into places for social interactions and public activities. The use of modern technologies, digital tools, and active community participation can contribute to the success and improvement of these spaces, creating functional public areas that meet the real needs of the community. Digital technologies can transform the way we experience our environment, especially through tools that interact with our bodies, such as wearable devices, motion sensors, and virtual reality. These technologies can help us experience new environments, both digital and physical, that were previously unimaginable. In fact, these technologies help shape human awareness and understanding, not only through the mind but also through the body and sensory interactions with the environment.
McCullough refers to this as “embodiment,” a state where human cognition and experience are closely tied to physical presence and interaction with surroundings. He emphasizes the importance of designing for embodiment, arguing that both digital and physical environments should be designed in a way that enhances human embodiment rather than distancing from it. This means designing spaces where users can use their senses and bodies to interact with information and the environment. A deeper understanding of embodiment can help us create better environments that allow people to have richer and more meaningful experiences.
McCullough defines “Ambient” as an environmental quality where information, data, and signals are constantly present in the background of our surroundings, often unnoticed. This ambient state can include background sounds, soft lighting, digital displays, and even Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signals that continuously deliver various messages to us. Technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), environmental sensors, and wearable devices, which can provide continuous information about the environment, play a significant role in enriching our ambient experience. This information helps us interact with the world around us more intelligently and effectively.
Ambient elements exist in various forms in our daily lives. For example, smart lighting that automatically adjusts based on environmental conditions to create a specific mood, or ambient sounds in public spaces designed to evoke a particular feeling. Digital displays in cities also provide useful information, such as public transport schedules or safety alerts, subtly integrated into our surroundings.
From McCullough’s perspective, “Ambient Commons” should adapt to human needs and interactions with both each other and environmental technologies. Success in interacting with these technologies must be paired with proper design and optimization of both digital and physical spaces, allowing citizens to engage more effectively with ambient information and have better experiences in the digital world. Since environmental technologies constantly operate in the background of our digital activities and affect our experiences and interactions, they should be designed in a way that effectively meets human needs and fosters meaningful engagement. In shaping these spaces, a strong connection must form between designing solutions, using technology to improve the quality of space, and responding to societal needs.
Design
Urban design not only contributes to beautifying and organizing public spaces but can also serve as a powerful tool to address the diverse needs of users and even influence their behavior. One of the main challenges in designing Ambient Common spaces is balancing aesthetics with functionality. These spaces must be designed in a way that is both appealing and practical, while also addressing the varied needs of the community. To achieve this, it is important to thoroughly analyze the specific needs of the community, such as social, cultural, and economic challenges, and design solutions that directly address these needs. In fact, public space design should create a positive and meaningful user experience while being responsive and adaptable to the changing needs of users.
Today, interactive design has gained more attention as a way to create dynamic and engaging public spaces that allow users to interact with their surroundings. Interactive design can transform public spaces into dynamic and flexible environments that respond to the needs of users and environmental changes, thereby strengthening the identity of these spaces. Creating spaces where visitors can engage with the environment turns public spaces into a part of users’ unique memories and experiences, giving these spaces a stronger identity. Interaction happens in three forms: passive, active, and discovery. Passive interaction occurs when people benefit from the space’s features without direct participation. Active interaction happens when users engage directly with the space’s features. Lastly, discovery takes place when users seek out new, unknown, or interactive content within the public space, often involving interactive or novel information that captures their attention. Effective use of interactive design and various types of interaction enhances user experiences and helps create innovative and engaging public spaces. These experiences can encourage people to learn and change their daily behaviors toward social, cultural, and environmental goals.
In designing these spaces, various methods and technologies can shape public areas and contribute to improving urban life quality. Interactive design allows designers to use digital and interactive tools to express their creative concepts innovatively in public spaces. For example, a digital display can function as an interactive art piece that engages users and provides a personal experience. This type of creative expression can enhance urban culture and identity.
Digital technologies may offer more interactive and modern experiences, while traditional technologies can bring a sense of familiarity and stability to public spaces. Both types of technology, digital and traditional, can play essential roles in public space design. Choosing the right technology or a combination of both can help create more attractive and interactive urban spaces. Depending on the specific needs and characteristics of each project, the correct blend of digital and traditional technologies can improve user experiences and increase the use of public spaces.
Technology
Forgotten spaces often lack social dynamism due to insufficient motivation or opportunities for interaction. By incorporating interactive design and digital technologies, public spaces can transition from static to dynamic, participatory, and flexible environments. Modern technology plays a key role in enhancing and transforming Ambient Common spaces. The use of interactive technologies allows designers to create spaces that offer users innovative ways to interact with their surroundings, fostering positive and meaningful connections between people and the environment.
In traditional public spaces, interactions are mostly limited to the physical environment and human connections, but in digital public spaces, interactive technologies can introduce new dimensions to these interactions. A digital public space is a space where human interactions are mediated by digital tools. These spaces, which may include physical urban environments, use interactive technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), motion sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), and touchscreens to allow users to engage with their surroundings in various ways, providing a diverse and enriching experience of public spaces. Additionally, interactive spaces should offer personalized experiences tailored to individual needs and behaviors. Emerging technologies in placemaking, such as cognitive technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), can provide users with customized information and experiences based on their location, behavior, and interests, enhancing their interaction with public spaces and enabling them to engage with their surroundings in new ways. As a result, interactive content, information, and even digital games are layered onto the physical environment, adding a digital dimension to users’ spatial experiences. For example, interactive installations allow users to engage with the environment and with others through shared experiences. These installations should be designed to integrate with their surroundings, rather than appear as separate or disconnected elements.
The design of public spaces should aim to create a positive and meaningful user experience. The design must be responsive and adaptable to align with the evolving needs of users. Digital public spaces alter how users experience public areas and create new opportunities for social connections. Using sensors, smart lighting systems, and digital tools can enhance the quality and interactions in these spaces. Instead of relying on a single technology, a combination of various technologies can be employed. For instance, integrating Big Data analytics with Smart City Technologies and Interactive Design can help create innovative, digital urban spaces and generate the necessary social dynamism in these areas.
Society
The success of Ambient Common spaces heavily depends on the participation and engagement of diverse community groups, both during the design phase and the operational phase. Active interactions and community involvement in these spaces can enhance urban life quality and strengthen the sense of social cohesion.
Public spaces should be designed to foster a sense of belonging and community participation. Involving residents in the design and management processes can strengthen this sense of ownership and lead to spaces that truly meet the needs of the community. One way to achieve this is by developing models that actively involve the community in project design and implementation. This could include using interactive technologies to collect feedback and ideas from residents. Additionally, by gathering data on how users interact with these spaces, urban designers and managers can make better decisions about optimizing the spaces to meet various community needs. This approach results in the creation of smart public spaces that are responsive to user needs.
Moreover, public spaces should enhance social interactions and collective experiences. Designers should consider the challenges and priorities of users while creating dynamic and appealing designs that encourage people to interact with each other and their surroundings. Interactive spaces can help citizens use public spaces in more meaningful ways. This can lead to stronger social connections, a heightened sense of social cohesion, and reduced social tensions, ultimately creating positive social and cultural impacts. Interactive designs, by offering engaging and entertaining opportunities, can shift people from passive to more active roles. Interactive environments aim to bring people together by offering new opportunities for social interaction, encouraging them to use public spaces and create shared and collective experiences.
Interactive design should be inclusive, allowing every individual, regardless of age, technical knowledge, or familiarity with technology, to easily engage with interactive installations. It should also encourage people from various backgrounds (such as age, gender, and culture) to interact with one another.
Adaptability of Interactive Systems
In the design process of Ambient Commons, the sustainability of digital public spaces is one of the most important challenges. Designers must focus on the durability and efficiency of interactive objects and digital spaces to ensure their long-term effectiveness. This is especially crucial in public spaces, where frequent and widespread use occurs.
While interactive systems may initially succeed in attracting users, over time, they may lose their appeal. Therefore, designing and operating interactive systems in urban spaces is an ongoing, evolutionary process that requires continuous review and improvement. This process is based on real-world user reactions and behaviors. These systems should be designed to quickly adapt to environmental changes and user behaviors. Flexibility includes the ability to update software, modify physical designs, and even change the ways users interact with the systems. This helps ensure that the systems remain engaging and effective over time. To achieve this, the systems used should have the capacity to adapt to spatial changes. Systems that can automatically detect user behavior and respond accordingly will maintain their relevance. For example, lighting, temperature, or interactive equipment can be adjusted based on the number of people present or the type of activity taking place. Additionally, data collected from users, such as their behaviors, movements, and needs in public spaces, can be analyzed to enhance the adaptability process and ensure digital spaces better meet user needs.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the most important tool for the adaptability of interactive public spaces. By leveraging AI algorithms, it is possible to create smarter, more interactive public spaces. AI-driven interactive design can use predictive algorithms to identify user behavior patterns in public spaces and create more suitable interactive experiences. For instance, AI systems can detect high-traffic areas and adjust interactive features to encourage more engagement from users. AI-based public spaces can utilize advanced technologies like sensors and machine learning to create dynamic and flexible environments that respond in real-time to users’ needs. These spaces can automatically adjust their settings to enhance user experiences. Additionally, AI can support collaborative design processes, allowing users to actively participate in designing public spaces. Intelligent algorithms can gather user feedback and dynamically improve the design.
References
McCullough, M. (2013). Ambient Commons: Attention in the Age of Embodied Information. The MIT Press.
Koolhaas, R. (1995). Space of Uncertainty. Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
Koolhaas, R. (2001). Junkspace. Architectural Journal.
Answorth, C., Forte, A., & Dilworth, R. (Eds.). (2014). Urban Informatics: Collaboration at the Nexus of Policy, Technology and Design, People and Data. Routledge.
Dalsgaard, P., Dindler, C., & Halskov, K. (2011). Understanding the Dynamics of Engaging Interaction in Public Spaces. Proceedings of the 2011 ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW 2011).
Nikolic, P. K., & Cheok, A. D. (2020). Design for Behavior Change: Transforming Smart Cities Public Spaces into Interactive Environments for Behavioral Changes. Proceedings of the 2020 ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference (IDC 2020).
Wiberg, M. (2019). Interactive Architecture as Digital Texturation: Transformed Public Spaces & New Material Integration. Journal of Architectural Education.
Hespanhol, L. (2022). Augmented Placemaking: Urban Technologies, Interaction Design and Public Spaces in a Post-Pandemic World. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies.
Gradinar, A. (2019). Designing Interactive Objects and Spaces for the Digital Public Space. Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2019).
Memarovic, N., Langheinrich, M., Alt, F., Elhart, I., Hosio, S., & Rubegni, E. (2013). Using Public Displays to Stimulate Passive Engagement, Active Engagement, and Discovery in Public Spaces. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Pervasive Displays (PerDis 2013).
Ferreira, V., Anacleto, J., & Bueno, A. (2017). Failures Supporting the Evolutionary Design in the Wild of Interactive Systems for Public Spaces. Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing.
Zhou, J. (2021). Interactive Design of Public Spaces Based on Artificial Intelligence Technology. Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Systems.
Zhu, X. (2020). Optimization Design of Public Space Structure in Coastal Cities Based on Interactive Design. Urban Planning and Development.
Nikolic, P. K., & Cheok, A. D. (2020). Design for Behavior Change: Transforming Smart Cities Public Spaces into Interactive Environments for Behavioral Changes. Interaction Design and Children (IDC 2020).
Wiberg, M. (2019). Interactive Architecture as Digital Texturation: Transformed Public Spaces & New Material Integration. Journal of Architectural Education.
Xu, Y. (2020). Application and Research of Interactive Design in the Creative Expression Process of Public Space. International Journal of Design and Architecture.
Giri, A. (2021). Interactive Installation to Promote Social Interaction in Public Spaces. Proceedings of the ACM Symposium on Interactive Design.
Gradinar, A. (2019). Designing Interactive Objects and Spaces for the Digital Public Space. Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2019).
Kao, Y. (2020). Place-Oriented Design: A Framework for Designing Interactive Installations for Public Spaces. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction.
Araujo de Aguiar, C. H., & Green, K. E. (2018). CommunIT Building: An Interactive Environment Exemplar Advancing Social Interaction in Underused Public Spaces. Proceedings of the ACM Designing Interactive Systems (DIS 2018).
Aldobouni, S. I., & Alomary, A. Y. (2019). Interactive Design in Urban Outdoor Spaces: A Comparative Study of the Employment of Digital and Traditional Technologies. Journal of Urban Design and Technology.
Research Team: Alireza Shahi, Adib Iravani, Hossein Panjeh Pour
Role: Research
Client: –
Location: Isfahan, Iran
Date: 2022
In the field of medicine, there is a condition known as dyslexia. This condition is marked by a difficulty in the part of the brain responsible for processing language. People with dyslexia often struggle with recognizing and understanding a significant portion of written words.
Throughout history, many prominent individuals have dealt with dyslexia. For example, Albert Einstein, famous for his groundbreaking work in physics, did not begin speaking until he was four years old. His mother was informed by a doctor that while he would eventually talk, her child might experience developmental delays. Similarly, Thomas Edison, celebrated for his inventions, scored poorly in physics and was expelled from school due to perceived intellectual shortcomings. Emile Zola, the respected French writer, often faced difficulties in his literature classes. It’s worth noting that figures like Picasso, James Watt, Napoleon, and Louis Pasteur also struggled with this disorder. Surprisingly, despite the challenges posed by dyslexia, these individuals eventually emerged as geniuses. Their experiences highlight the idea that genius can arise even in the face of what initially seems like intellectual limitations.
Unlucky Lands
A similar situation can be observed in cities. Today’s cities have abandoned spaces for various reasons. Despite having significant potential to be integrated into the urban activity network, these spaces have been neglected or, at best, turned into green areas. For instance, in the city of Isfahan, these spaces, mainly created by unbalanced urban development and located next to newly constructed streets, either lack specific functions or have been converted into parking lots and green spaces. However, these changes have not been embraced by the citizens and have become more of a surplus element rather than something useful for the community.
Rem Koolhaas refers to these spaces as “junk spaces” or “wasted spaces.” These are areas that are poorly designed, not properly utilized, or lack a cohesive and defined function. He describes them as spaces that have emerged due to rapid development without proper planning. These spaces have distinct characteristics that set them apart from other areas in terms of design and function. They are often without a clear purpose, lack visual appeal, and have no particular cultural or social significance. These spaces may include vast parking lots, identity-less shopping centers, leftover spaces around highways, or empty and unfamiliar areas in office buildings.
McCullough refers to these underutilized empty spaces as “silent commons,” stating that they may exist physically or digitally and quietly influence human experiences indirectly.
Main Characteristics of Wasted Spaces
Impacts of Wasted Spaces
Wasted spaces can have several negative effects on cities and communities:
Ambient Common
These spaces are usually located in areas that are accessible to the public and can be transformed into spaces that promote social interactions and strengthen connections within the community. By converting wasted spaces into public and social areas, the quality of life in urban communities can improve. They can serve as venues for cultural, artistic, and recreational activities, helping to enhance public well-being and create beautiful and functional spaces.
Considering the characteristics and benefits of wasted spaces, McCullough introduces the concept of “Ambient Common” to improve the quality of life and enhance social interactions in urban communities. “Ambient Commons” are spaces that are turned into places for social interactions and public activities. The use of modern technologies, digital tools, and active community participation can contribute to the success and improvement of these spaces, creating functional public areas that meet the real needs of the community. Digital technologies can transform the way we experience our environment, especially through tools that interact with our bodies, such as wearable devices, motion sensors, and virtual reality. These technologies can help us experience new environments, both digital and physical, that were previously unimaginable. In fact, these technologies help shape human awareness and understanding, not only through the mind but also through the body and sensory interactions with the environment.
McCullough refers to this as “embodiment,” a state where human cognition and experience are closely tied to physical presence and interaction with surroundings. He emphasizes the importance of designing for embodiment, arguing that both digital and physical environments should be designed in a way that enhances human embodiment rather than distancing from it. This means designing spaces where users can use their senses and bodies to interact with information and the environment. A deeper understanding of embodiment can help us create better environments that allow people to have richer and more meaningful experiences.
McCullough defines “Ambient” as an environmental quality where information, data, and signals are constantly present in the background of our surroundings, often unnoticed. This ambient state can include background sounds, soft lighting, digital displays, and even Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signals that continuously deliver various messages to us. Technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), environmental sensors, and wearable devices, which can provide continuous information about the environment, play a significant role in enriching our ambient experience. This information helps us interact with the world around us more intelligently and effectively.
Ambient elements exist in various forms in our daily lives. For example, smart lighting that automatically adjusts based on environmental conditions to create a specific mood, or ambient sounds in public spaces designed to evoke a particular feeling. Digital displays in cities also provide useful information, such as public transport schedules or safety alerts, subtly integrated into our surroundings.
From McCullough’s perspective, “Ambient Commons” should adapt to human needs and interactions with both each other and environmental technologies. Success in interacting with these technologies must be paired with proper design and optimization of both digital and physical spaces, allowing citizens to engage more effectively with ambient information and have better experiences in the digital world. Since environmental technologies constantly operate in the background of our digital activities and affect our experiences and interactions, they should be designed in a way that effectively meets human needs and fosters meaningful engagement. In shaping these spaces, a strong connection must form between designing solutions, using technology to improve the quality of space, and responding to societal needs.
Design
Urban design not only contributes to beautifying and organizing public spaces but can also serve as a powerful tool to address the diverse needs of users and even influence their behavior. One of the main challenges in designing Ambient Common spaces is balancing aesthetics with functionality. These spaces must be designed in a way that is both appealing and practical, while also addressing the varied needs of the community. To achieve this, it is important to thoroughly analyze the specific needs of the community, such as social, cultural, and economic challenges, and design solutions that directly address these needs. In fact, public space design should create a positive and meaningful user experience while being responsive and adaptable to the changing needs of users.
Today, interactive design has gained more attention as a way to create dynamic and engaging public spaces that allow users to interact with their surroundings. Interactive design can transform public spaces into dynamic and flexible environments that respond to the needs of users and environmental changes, thereby strengthening the identity of these spaces. Creating spaces where visitors can engage with the environment turns public spaces into a part of users’ unique memories and experiences, giving these spaces a stronger identity. Interaction happens in three forms: passive, active, and discovery. Passive interaction occurs when people benefit from the space’s features without direct participation. Active interaction happens when users engage directly with the space’s features. Lastly, discovery takes place when users seek out new, unknown, or interactive content within the public space, often involving interactive or novel information that captures their attention. Effective use of interactive design and various types of interaction enhances user experiences and helps create innovative and engaging public spaces. These experiences can encourage people to learn and change their daily behaviors toward social, cultural, and environmental goals.
In designing these spaces, various methods and technologies can shape public areas and contribute to improving urban life quality. Interactive design allows designers to use digital and interactive tools to express their creative concepts innovatively in public spaces. For example, a digital display can function as an interactive art piece that engages users and provides a personal experience. This type of creative expression can enhance urban culture and identity.
Digital technologies may offer more interactive and modern experiences, while traditional technologies can bring a sense of familiarity and stability to public spaces. Both types of technology, digital and traditional, can play essential roles in public space design. Choosing the right technology or a combination of both can help create more attractive and interactive urban spaces. Depending on the specific needs and characteristics of each project, the correct blend of digital and traditional technologies can improve user experiences and increase the use of public spaces.
Technology
Forgotten spaces often lack social dynamism due to insufficient motivation or opportunities for interaction. By incorporating interactive design and digital technologies, public spaces can transition from static to dynamic, participatory, and flexible environments. Modern technology plays a key role in enhancing and transforming Ambient Common spaces. The use of interactive technologies allows designers to create spaces that offer users innovative ways to interact with their surroundings, fostering positive and meaningful connections between people and the environment.
In traditional public spaces, interactions are mostly limited to the physical environment and human connections, but in digital public spaces, interactive technologies can introduce new dimensions to these interactions. A digital public space is a space where human interactions are mediated by digital tools. These spaces, which may include physical urban environments, use interactive technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), motion sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), and touchscreens to allow users to engage with their surroundings in various ways, providing a diverse and enriching experience of public spaces. Additionally, interactive spaces should offer personalized experiences tailored to individual needs and behaviors. Emerging technologies in placemaking, such as cognitive technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), can provide users with customized information and experiences based on their location, behavior, and interests, enhancing their interaction with public spaces and enabling them to engage with their surroundings in new ways. As a result, interactive content, information, and even digital games are layered onto the physical environment, adding a digital dimension to users’ spatial experiences. For example, interactive installations allow users to engage with the environment and with others through shared experiences. These installations should be designed to integrate with their surroundings, rather than appear as separate or disconnected elements.
The design of public spaces should aim to create a positive and meaningful user experience. The design must be responsive and adaptable to align with the evolving needs of users. Digital public spaces alter how users experience public areas and create new opportunities for social connections. Using sensors, smart lighting systems, and digital tools can enhance the quality and interactions in these spaces. Instead of relying on a single technology, a combination of various technologies can be employed. For instance, integrating Big Data analytics with Smart City Technologies and Interactive Design can help create innovative, digital urban spaces and generate the necessary social dynamism in these areas.
Society
The success of Ambient Common spaces heavily depends on the participation and engagement of diverse community groups, both during the design phase and the operational phase. Active interactions and community involvement in these spaces can enhance urban life quality and strengthen the sense of social cohesion.
Public spaces should be designed to foster a sense of belonging and community participation. Involving residents in the design and management processes can strengthen this sense of ownership and lead to spaces that truly meet the needs of the community. One way to achieve this is by developing models that actively involve the community in project design and implementation. This could include using interactive technologies to collect feedback and ideas from residents. Additionally, by gathering data on how users interact with these spaces, urban designers and managers can make better decisions about optimizing the spaces to meet various community needs. This approach results in the creation of smart public spaces that are responsive to user needs.
Moreover, public spaces should enhance social interactions and collective experiences. Designers should consider the challenges and priorities of users while creating dynamic and appealing designs that encourage people to interact with each other and their surroundings. Interactive spaces can help citizens use public spaces in more meaningful ways. This can lead to stronger social connections, a heightened sense of social cohesion, and reduced social tensions, ultimately creating positive social and cultural impacts. Interactive designs, by offering engaging and entertaining opportunities, can shift people from passive to more active roles. Interactive environments aim to bring people together by offering new opportunities for social interaction, encouraging them to use public spaces and create shared and collective experiences.
Interactive design should be inclusive, allowing every individual, regardless of age, technical knowledge, or familiarity with technology, to easily engage with interactive installations. It should also encourage people from various backgrounds (such as age, gender, and culture) to interact with one another.
Adaptability of Interactive Systems
In the design process of Ambient Commons, the sustainability of digital public spaces is one of the most important challenges. Designers must focus on the durability and efficiency of interactive objects and digital spaces to ensure their long-term effectiveness. This is especially crucial in public spaces, where frequent and widespread use occurs.
While interactive systems may initially succeed in attracting users, over time, they may lose their appeal. Therefore, designing and operating interactive systems in urban spaces is an ongoing, evolutionary process that requires continuous review and improvement. This process is based on real-world user reactions and behaviors. These systems should be designed to quickly adapt to environmental changes and user behaviors. Flexibility includes the ability to update software, modify physical designs, and even change the ways users interact with the systems. This helps ensure that the systems remain engaging and effective over time. To achieve this, the systems used should have the capacity to adapt to spatial changes. Systems that can automatically detect user behavior and respond accordingly will maintain their relevance. For example, lighting, temperature, or interactive equipment can be adjusted based on the number of people present or the type of activity taking place. Additionally, data collected from users, such as their behaviors, movements, and needs in public spaces, can be analyzed to enhance the adaptability process and ensure digital spaces better meet user needs.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the most important tool for the adaptability of interactive public spaces. By leveraging AI algorithms, it is possible to create smarter, more interactive public spaces. AI-driven interactive design can use predictive algorithms to identify user behavior patterns in public spaces and create more suitable interactive experiences. For instance, AI systems can detect high-traffic areas and adjust interactive features to encourage more engagement from users. AI-based public spaces can utilize advanced technologies like sensors and machine learning to create dynamic and flexible environments that respond in real-time to users’ needs. These spaces can automatically adjust their settings to enhance user experiences. Additionally, AI can support collaborative design processes, allowing users to actively participate in designing public spaces. Intelligent algorithms can gather user feedback and dynamically improve the design.
References
McCullough, M. (2013). Ambient Commons: Attention in the Age of Embodied Information. The MIT Press.
Koolhaas, R. (1995). Space of Uncertainty. Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
Koolhaas, R. (2001). Junkspace. Architectural Journal.
Answorth, C., Forte, A., & Dilworth, R. (Eds.). (2014). Urban Informatics: Collaboration at the Nexus of Policy, Technology and Design, People and Data. Routledge.
Dalsgaard, P., Dindler, C., & Halskov, K. (2011). Understanding the Dynamics of Engaging Interaction in Public Spaces. Proceedings of the 2011 ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW 2011).
Nikolic, P. K., & Cheok, A. D. (2020). Design for Behavior Change: Transforming Smart Cities Public Spaces into Interactive Environments for Behavioral Changes. Proceedings of the 2020 ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference (IDC 2020).
Wiberg, M. (2019). Interactive Architecture as Digital Texturation: Transformed Public Spaces & New Material Integration. Journal of Architectural Education.
Hespanhol, L. (2022). Augmented Placemaking: Urban Technologies, Interaction Design and Public Spaces in a Post-Pandemic World. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies.
Gradinar, A. (2019). Designing Interactive Objects and Spaces for the Digital Public Space. Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2019).
Memarovic, N., Langheinrich, M., Alt, F., Elhart, I., Hosio, S., & Rubegni, E. (2013). Using Public Displays to Stimulate Passive Engagement, Active Engagement, and Discovery in Public Spaces. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Pervasive Displays (PerDis 2013).
Ferreira, V., Anacleto, J., & Bueno, A. (2017). Failures Supporting the Evolutionary Design in the Wild of Interactive Systems for Public Spaces. Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing.
Zhou, J. (2021). Interactive Design of Public Spaces Based on Artificial Intelligence Technology. Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Systems.
Zhu, X. (2020). Optimization Design of Public Space Structure in Coastal Cities Based on Interactive Design. Urban Planning and Development.
Nikolic, P. K., & Cheok, A. D. (2020). Design for Behavior Change: Transforming Smart Cities Public Spaces into Interactive Environments for Behavioral Changes. Interaction Design and Children (IDC 2020).
Wiberg, M. (2019). Interactive Architecture as Digital Texturation: Transformed Public Spaces & New Material Integration. Journal of Architectural Education.
Xu, Y. (2020). Application and Research of Interactive Design in the Creative Expression Process of Public Space. International Journal of Design and Architecture.
Giri, A. (2021). Interactive Installation to Promote Social Interaction in Public Spaces. Proceedings of the ACM Symposium on Interactive Design.
Gradinar, A. (2019). Designing Interactive Objects and Spaces for the Digital Public Space. Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2019).
Kao, Y. (2020). Place-Oriented Design: A Framework for Designing Interactive Installations for Public Spaces. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction.
Araujo de Aguiar, C. H., & Green, K. E. (2018). CommunIT Building: An Interactive Environment Exemplar Advancing Social Interaction in Underused Public Spaces. Proceedings of the ACM Designing Interactive Systems (DIS 2018).
Aldobouni, S. I., & Alomary, A. Y. (2019). Interactive Design in Urban Outdoor Spaces: A Comparative Study of the Employment of Digital and Traditional Technologies. Journal of Urban Design and Technology.
Research Team: Alireza Shahi, Adib Iravani, Hossein Panjeh Pour
Role: Research
Client: –
Location: Isfahan, Iran
Date: 2022
In the field of medicine, there is a condition known as dyslexia. This condition is marked by a difficulty in the part of the brain responsible for processing language. People with dyslexia often struggle with recognizing and understanding a significant portion of written words.
Throughout history, many prominent individuals have dealt with dyslexia. For example, Albert Einstein, famous for his groundbreaking work in physics, did not begin speaking until he was four years old. His mother was informed by a doctor that while he would eventually talk, her child might experience developmental delays. Similarly, Thomas Edison, celebrated for his inventions, scored poorly in physics and was expelled from school due to perceived intellectual shortcomings. Emile Zola, the respected French writer, often faced difficulties in his literature classes. It’s worth noting that figures like Picasso, James Watt, Napoleon, and Louis Pasteur also struggled with this disorder. Surprisingly, despite the challenges posed by dyslexia, these individuals eventually emerged as geniuses. Their experiences highlight the idea that genius can arise even in the face of what initially seems like intellectual limitations.
Unlucky Lands
A similar situation can be observed in cities. Today’s cities have abandoned spaces for various reasons. Despite having significant potential to be integrated into the urban activity network, these spaces have been neglected or, at best, turned into green areas. For instance, in the city of Isfahan, these spaces, mainly created by unbalanced urban development and located next to newly constructed streets, either lack specific functions or have been converted into parking lots and green spaces. However, these changes have not been embraced by the citizens and have become more of a surplus element rather than something useful for the community.
Rem Koolhaas refers to these spaces as “junk spaces” or “wasted spaces.” These are areas that are poorly designed, not properly utilized, or lack a cohesive and defined function. He describes them as spaces that have emerged due to rapid development without proper planning. These spaces have distinct characteristics that set them apart from other areas in terms of design and function. They are often without a clear purpose, lack visual appeal, and have no particular cultural or social significance. These spaces may include vast parking lots, identity-less shopping centers, leftover spaces around highways, or empty and unfamiliar areas in office buildings.
McCullough refers to these underutilized empty spaces as “silent commons,” stating that they may exist physically or digitally and quietly influence human experiences indirectly.
Main Characteristics of Wasted Spaces
Impacts of Wasted Spaces
Wasted spaces can have several negative effects on cities and communities:
Ambient Common
These spaces are usually located in areas that are accessible to the public and can be transformed into spaces that promote social interactions and strengthen connections within the community. By converting wasted spaces into public and social areas, the quality of life in urban communities can improve. They can serve as venues for cultural, artistic, and recreational activities, helping to enhance public well-being and create beautiful and functional spaces.
Considering the characteristics and benefits of wasted spaces, McCullough introduces the concept of “Ambient Common” to improve the quality of life and enhance social interactions in urban communities. “Ambient Commons” are spaces that are turned into places for social interactions and public activities. The use of modern technologies, digital tools, and active community participation can contribute to the success and improvement of these spaces, creating functional public areas that meet the real needs of the community. Digital technologies can transform the way we experience our environment, especially through tools that interact with our bodies, such as wearable devices, motion sensors, and virtual reality. These technologies can help us experience new environments, both digital and physical, that were previously unimaginable. In fact, these technologies help shape human awareness and understanding, not only through the mind but also through the body and sensory interactions with the environment.
McCullough refers to this as “embodiment,” a state where human cognition and experience are closely tied to physical presence and interaction with surroundings. He emphasizes the importance of designing for embodiment, arguing that both digital and physical environments should be designed in a way that enhances human embodiment rather than distancing from it. This means designing spaces where users can use their senses and bodies to interact with information and the environment. A deeper understanding of embodiment can help us create better environments that allow people to have richer and more meaningful experiences.
McCullough defines “Ambient” as an environmental quality where information, data, and signals are constantly present in the background of our surroundings, often unnoticed. This ambient state can include background sounds, soft lighting, digital displays, and even Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signals that continuously deliver various messages to us. Technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), environmental sensors, and wearable devices, which can provide continuous information about the environment, play a significant role in enriching our ambient experience. This information helps us interact with the world around us more intelligently and effectively.
Ambient elements exist in various forms in our daily lives. For example, smart lighting that automatically adjusts based on environmental conditions to create a specific mood, or ambient sounds in public spaces designed to evoke a particular feeling. Digital displays in cities also provide useful information, such as public transport schedules or safety alerts, subtly integrated into our surroundings.
From McCullough’s perspective, “Ambient Commons” should adapt to human needs and interactions with both each other and environmental technologies. Success in interacting with these technologies must be paired with proper design and optimization of both digital and physical spaces, allowing citizens to engage more effectively with ambient information and have better experiences in the digital world. Since environmental technologies constantly operate in the background of our digital activities and affect our experiences and interactions, they should be designed in a way that effectively meets human needs and fosters meaningful engagement. In shaping these spaces, a strong connection must form between designing solutions, using technology to improve the quality of space, and responding to societal needs.
Design
Urban design not only contributes to beautifying and organizing public spaces but can also serve as a powerful tool to address the diverse needs of users and even influence their behavior. One of the main challenges in designing Ambient Common spaces is balancing aesthetics with functionality. These spaces must be designed in a way that is both appealing and practical, while also addressing the varied needs of the community. To achieve this, it is important to thoroughly analyze the specific needs of the community, such as social, cultural, and economic challenges, and design solutions that directly address these needs. In fact, public space design should create a positive and meaningful user experience while being responsive and adaptable to the changing needs of users.
Today, interactive design has gained more attention as a way to create dynamic and engaging public spaces that allow users to interact with their surroundings. Interactive design can transform public spaces into dynamic and flexible environments that respond to the needs of users and environmental changes, thereby strengthening the identity of these spaces. Creating spaces where visitors can engage with the environment turns public spaces into a part of users’ unique memories and experiences, giving these spaces a stronger identity. Interaction happens in three forms: passive, active, and discovery. Passive interaction occurs when people benefit from the space’s features without direct participation. Active interaction happens when users engage directly with the space’s features. Lastly, discovery takes place when users seek out new, unknown, or interactive content within the public space, often involving interactive or novel information that captures their attention. Effective use of interactive design and various types of interaction enhances user experiences and helps create innovative and engaging public spaces. These experiences can encourage people to learn and change their daily behaviors toward social, cultural, and environmental goals.
In designing these spaces, various methods and technologies can shape public areas and contribute to improving urban life quality. Interactive design allows designers to use digital and interactive tools to express their creative concepts innovatively in public spaces. For example, a digital display can function as an interactive art piece that engages users and provides a personal experience. This type of creative expression can enhance urban culture and identity.
Digital technologies may offer more interactive and modern experiences, while traditional technologies can bring a sense of familiarity and stability to public spaces. Both types of technology, digital and traditional, can play essential roles in public space design. Choosing the right technology or a combination of both can help create more attractive and interactive urban spaces. Depending on the specific needs and characteristics of each project, the correct blend of digital and traditional technologies can improve user experiences and increase the use of public spaces.
Technology
Forgotten spaces often lack social dynamism due to insufficient motivation or opportunities for interaction. By incorporating interactive design and digital technologies, public spaces can transition from static to dynamic, participatory, and flexible environments. Modern technology plays a key role in enhancing and transforming Ambient Common spaces. The use of interactive technologies allows designers to create spaces that offer users innovative ways to interact with their surroundings, fostering positive and meaningful connections between people and the environment.
In traditional public spaces, interactions are mostly limited to the physical environment and human connections, but in digital public spaces, interactive technologies can introduce new dimensions to these interactions. A digital public space is a space where human interactions are mediated by digital tools. These spaces, which may include physical urban environments, use interactive technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), motion sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), and touchscreens to allow users to engage with their surroundings in various ways, providing a diverse and enriching experience of public spaces. Additionally, interactive spaces should offer personalized experiences tailored to individual needs and behaviors. Emerging technologies in placemaking, such as cognitive technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), can provide users with customized information and experiences based on their location, behavior, and interests, enhancing their interaction with public spaces and enabling them to engage with their surroundings in new ways. As a result, interactive content, information, and even digital games are layered onto the physical environment, adding a digital dimension to users’ spatial experiences. For example, interactive installations allow users to engage with the environment and with others through shared experiences. These installations should be designed to integrate with their surroundings, rather than appear as separate or disconnected elements.
The design of public spaces should aim to create a positive and meaningful user experience. The design must be responsive and adaptable to align with the evolving needs of users. Digital public spaces alter how users experience public areas and create new opportunities for social connections. Using sensors, smart lighting systems, and digital tools can enhance the quality and interactions in these spaces. Instead of relying on a single technology, a combination of various technologies can be employed. For instance, integrating Big Data analytics with Smart City Technologies and Interactive Design can help create innovative, digital urban spaces and generate the necessary social dynamism in these areas.
Society
The success of Ambient Common spaces heavily depends on the participation and engagement of diverse community groups, both during the design phase and the operational phase. Active interactions and community involvement in these spaces can enhance urban life quality and strengthen the sense of social cohesion.
Public spaces should be designed to foster a sense of belonging and community participation. Involving residents in the design and management processes can strengthen this sense of ownership and lead to spaces that truly meet the needs of the community. One way to achieve this is by developing models that actively involve the community in project design and implementation. This could include using interactive technologies to collect feedback and ideas from residents. Additionally, by gathering data on how users interact with these spaces, urban designers and managers can make better decisions about optimizing the spaces to meet various community needs. This approach results in the creation of smart public spaces that are responsive to user needs.
Moreover, public spaces should enhance social interactions and collective experiences. Designers should consider the challenges and priorities of users while creating dynamic and appealing designs that encourage people to interact with each other and their surroundings. Interactive spaces can help citizens use public spaces in more meaningful ways. This can lead to stronger social connections, a heightened sense of social cohesion, and reduced social tensions, ultimately creating positive social and cultural impacts. Interactive designs, by offering engaging and entertaining opportunities, can shift people from passive to more active roles. Interactive environments aim to bring people together by offering new opportunities for social interaction, encouraging them to use public spaces and create shared and collective experiences.
Interactive design should be inclusive, allowing every individual, regardless of age, technical knowledge, or familiarity with technology, to easily engage with interactive installations. It should also encourage people from various backgrounds (such as age, gender, and culture) to interact with one another.
Adaptability of Interactive Systems
In the design process of Ambient Commons, the sustainability of digital public spaces is one of the most important challenges. Designers must focus on the durability and efficiency of interactive objects and digital spaces to ensure their long-term effectiveness. This is especially crucial in public spaces, where frequent and widespread use occurs.
While interactive systems may initially succeed in attracting users, over time, they may lose their appeal. Therefore, designing and operating interactive systems in urban spaces is an ongoing, evolutionary process that requires continuous review and improvement. This process is based on real-world user reactions and behaviors. These systems should be designed to quickly adapt to environmental changes and user behaviors. Flexibility includes the ability to update software, modify physical designs, and even change the ways users interact with the systems. This helps ensure that the systems remain engaging and effective over time. To achieve this, the systems used should have the capacity to adapt to spatial changes. Systems that can automatically detect user behavior and respond accordingly will maintain their relevance. For example, lighting, temperature, or interactive equipment can be adjusted based on the number of people present or the type of activity taking place. Additionally, data collected from users, such as their behaviors, movements, and needs in public spaces, can be analyzed to enhance the adaptability process and ensure digital spaces better meet user needs.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the most important tool for the adaptability of interactive public spaces. By leveraging AI algorithms, it is possible to create smarter, more interactive public spaces. AI-driven interactive design can use predictive algorithms to identify user behavior patterns in public spaces and create more suitable interactive experiences. For instance, AI systems can detect high-traffic areas and adjust interactive features to encourage more engagement from users. AI-based public spaces can utilize advanced technologies like sensors and machine learning to create dynamic and flexible environments that respond in real-time to users’ needs. These spaces can automatically adjust their settings to enhance user experiences. Additionally, AI can support collaborative design processes, allowing users to actively participate in designing public spaces. Intelligent algorithms can gather user feedback and dynamically improve the design.
References
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