Atmos: Flexible Modular Spaces

description

Atmos is a design product that implements and celebrates the science of triangles by transforming spaces with modularity.  The modular enclosure is inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic structures and fabrics inspired by Do Ho Suh’s breathtaking garment sculptures. 

According to John Calhoun, a well known behavioral researcher, a lack of defensible spaces contributes to stress related symptoms known as a behavioral sink (http://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/42/wiles.php).  With disorganization and distraction being one of the leading factors of stressful environments, work related social settings such as offices, libraries and studios expose people to unpredictable behavior; people moving in and out of pathways, people watching a youtube video, inadequate lighting, excessive glare and increasing influx of messy clutter.  The disadvantages of insufficient privacy and controllable environments intrinsically affects human and social attitudes, personal control, mental fatigue, and productivity.

The nature of translucent fabric and organic science of triangles create a sphere of diffused light that spreads illumination evenly on top of the work surface: providing users a perceived sense of spaciousness, balance and comfort.   In addition, this design replaces the need for heavy, conforming and unsustainable partitions commonly used in working environments.   Light, flexible structures that can be assembled and taken down by hand adds to user mobility, storage and sustainable behavior.  Moreover, the interchangeable qualities of fabrics allow users to maintain and customize their environments.

In collaboration with peers and leading professionals in architecture, engineering and psychology from UBC, Ryerson (Toronto) and Brunel University (London,UK), my design received recognition in relation to personal and flexible environments.   Many respondents suggested new insight as to how soft enclosures could be used for innovative products like a children’s play tent, light installation, beach shelter or therapeutic dividers.  The simplicity of this design makes it an ideal and affordable prototype for numerous research explorations. Dr. Alan Kingstone and the Barlab group from the UBC Psychology department has graciously accepted this project to enact research studies examining cognition and human behavior.   Evaluative methods will include measuring stress reduction and concentration using biofeedback technology and tests in order to determine the design’s ability to provide focus, creativity and introspection in “gross” settings, an environment with bad lighting, clutter, visual distractions, etc.

This design celebrates the nature of interchangeable cladding, illumination, sacred geometry and sustainable practices and challenges our contemporary and temporal building methods of 90 degree walls and impersonal material environments.