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Senast publicerade
- DANCING WITH SPACE: Towards a Performative Model of Interactive Architecture(2026) Táborská, Tereza, Táborská, TerezaThis thesis investigates how an interactive architectural space can respond in real time to the qualitative nuances of human movement, with dance as a primary model of embodied and expressive interaction. The research addresses the limitations of static architectural space and conventional reactive systems by proposing a spatial environment that actively participates in a dialogue and exhibits autonomous behavioural expression, positioning architecture as a co-creative participant rather than a passive container. The theoretical anchoring draws on performative architecture, embodied interaction, cybernetic theory, and spatial atmosphere, reframing architecture as action rather than an object and shifting the Cartesian paradigm toward experiential knowledge “I experience, therefore I am” (Simanowski, 2011). Interactive spaces are interpreted as cybernetic systems that, through sensing, interpretation, and spatial response, form a continuous feedback loop between the human body and its surroundings. Sensory congruency is examined as a key condition for atmospheric coherence across individual sensory modalities (light, sound, texture) to produce a fluid, positive experience (Spence, 2020). Projects, including Mapped Empathies (Requena, 2018), No One is an Island (Random International and Studio Wayne McGregor, 2020), Messa di Voce (Levin and Lieberman, 2004), Shylight (Studio Drift, 2014), and Sky Symphony (Skyform Studio, n.d.), inform both conceptual and technical development. This work, using the presented theoretical foundations, proposes a conceptual model of interactive architecture organised into three interdependent layers: sensory, cognitive, and expressive. It describes how sensory technologies record human movement, how computational processes interpret the qualitative aspects of movement, and how spatial responses are realised through light, sound, or kinetic transformation. Methodologically, the research applies practice- based design experimentation, combining motion capture technologies (Kinect and MediaPipe), real-time data interpretation within TouchDesigner, and iterative prototyping of individual responses. These investigations explore how movement can be translated into spatial, visual, and auditory responses through cyclical interactions. The thesis demonstrates how strategies such as “imperfection to emergence” (Mun, 2023) can foster discovery and co-creation by introducing controlled uncertainty into interactive systems. The final prototype and installation design contribute to the contemporary discourse on interactive architecture by advancing models of embodied spatial experience that integrate technological response, architectural agency, and human perception.
- Sound Visualization: Translating Soundscape into Spatial Experience through Responsive Installation(2026) Chen, HuiThis thesis investigates how environmental sound can be translated into spatial experience through a responsive kinetic surface canopy. Sound is constantly present in public space but usually invisible, making it hard to sense the existence. Instead of treating sound as a acoustic information, the project explores how sound frequency can become a trigger for visible and bodily perceptible movement. The research is inspired by cymatics and Chladni plates experiments, in which sound frequency generates visible patterns and forms with physical matter. The thesis refers to spatial experience of ‘soundcube’ from Leitner in 1969 and responsive architectural interface from Michael Fox in 1967. The research combines sound recording, frequency analysis, digital modeling, and physical prototyping. Environmental sounds are collected and analyzed as relative frequency data. Meanwhile, a kinetic surface system is developed through iterative prototypes, testing how a flexible and segmented surface can produce feasible movable patterns. The principle that higher frequencies generate pattern of more complexity is applied, therefore, environmental sound frequency determines the complexity of the surface movement. The final design proposal applied this catalogue to a responsive canopy installation in public space. In this design, eight Chladni pattern are selected as visual references for catalogue of kinetic surface patterns according to their complexity. Low-frequency sound activate simpler and broader surface movements, while higherfrequency sound trigger denser and more complex patterns. Through this application, the movement triggered by sound becomes spatial experience in public space that can interact with human. The thesis contributes a design approach for translating environmental sound frequency into kinetic surface system. Through the use of Chladni patter ns and frequency-based complexity principle, sound is transformed into visible patter ns. The project positions sound visualization as an architectural process that connects c ymatic phenomena with responsive installation and spatial experience.
- Anticipating Change: How can theories and strategies on temporary and permanent architecture guide the design for dual-use, encountering the everyday life and future natural disasters(2026) Bensch, Vera; Ngo, TommyIncreased natural disasters, as an effect of climate change, are affecting a growing share of the global population causing economic loses, casualties, displacement and tends to worsen pre-existing inequalities (McCann et al., 2018). This is where the architectural practice can be implemented to support society through promoting a shared responsibility to mitigate the losses (Fitz et al., 2019). The thesis departs from the will of developing architecture with a civic purpose. This aim is the driving force for creating a public space with the main purpose of dealing with the current and future speculated climate related disasters. Through an iterative design process, it uses a combination of theoretical and practical tools. The overall scope, a collection of reports, theories and case study to Japan, informs the speculative concept of a shelter made to satisfy multiple scenarios. Further theories inform the design and are translated to physical measurements by rapid prototyping, both digital and physical, to develop a structure that can meet the design principles. The shelter design proposes the usage of different Muira-ori fold pattern to create both semi-permanent buildings and deployable structures to add value in several scenarios, in everyday life and disaster. The result is presented through physical models, isometric diagrams and drawings to create a comprehensive narrative that embeds the visions. The thesis discusses how the cultural, functional and technical aspects are separated and intertwined and how it is expressed in the design proposal. Through speculative scenarios, the ability to stay relevant over time and simultaneously react and adapt is further validated. After reviewing the critical points of the deployable structures, the thesis still determines Miura-ori fold to be beneficial from an architectural and structural standpoint. To conclude, the thesis uses the design proposal as a springboard for speculative thinking and experimental design, encouraging architects to anticipate change in an uncertain future.
- ASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY(2026) Åkesson, HilmaThis master’s thesis aims to rouse the collective from its passivity in the public realm; encourage people to claim their right to public space; and show what an alternative type of urban development that focuses on enhancing public life could be. The motivation behind this aim stems from two personal situations demonstrating a disassociation between people and the public realm. This gap was further established through reading a work of Richard Sennett, where he pinpointed a shift where urban space ”is not a place to be in but to move through”. This became a point of departure. The way some contemporary, urban projects are developed neglects qualities that support public life, which deprives people on spatially, socially, culturally and politically pivotal forums and adds to the disassociation. This is exemplified through the area emerging on an artificial peninsula in Gothenburg – Masthuggskajen. In order to counteract this type of development and redirect the light to how public life can be enhanced, the question is then: how can the architect, using architectural interventions, create conditions for urban space to become public space? To understand how this can be achieved, methods ranging from literature studies and case studies, to prototyping and speculation were used. The site Skeppsbron, neighbouring and juxtaposing Masthuggskajen, was chosen to contextualise the thesis, and a theoretical framework was compiled to support and broaden the scope. Through the theoretical framework, the design strategies triangulation, prototyping and speculation as well as the design principles informality, revisability, the live-aspect, assemblage and small scale were extracted – all striving to contrast the approach Masthuggskajen inhabits and rather support the transition from urban space to public space. Thus, a second thesis question became: how can triangulation and prototyping be used as catalysts for public life in a speculative project at Skeppsbron in Gothenburg? The research resulted in a speculative project in three phases showing a gradual development of the site. Through this project, the master’s thesis shows an alternative development approach, bringing perspectives on architecture’s role in our world-in-common, how our mindsets shape our spatial realities and what factors we prioritise at the expense of public life.