WHAT WE ARE DOING

WHY WE ARE DOING IT

This activity involves designing dual-seating solutions to promote human interaction, honing prototyping skills with lo-fi materials.

In this studio, we are going to design architecture that is responsive and interactive. To warm up, we will first start with designing a piece of interactive furniture.

Final Project Expectations

Time: Restricted timeline for prototype development (~1 hrs)

The prototype is designed for 2+ people and effectively encourages and facilitates human interaction.

Materials: Limited to using cardboard, paper, tape, and other low-fidelity materials specified in the studio prompt.

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ACTIVITY MATERIALS

You will design something to sit upon that can accommodate two or more people.

Think about the interactions between the people using your furniture: does it promote conversation, debate, play, collaboration?

THE CHALLENGE

What types of things do you use to sit?

10 mins

There are many ways to sit

Ex. low to the ground, high up, bean bags, stools, folding chair, etc.

Precedent Research

Individually or in pairs:

Have a look at the Precedents (examples) found in the post below this one. You can also research your own compilation of inspirational images.

20 mins

1.

Individually, spend 5 minutes sketching and making notes about any first Ideas you have.

In small groups, share your ideas. Build off each other's ideas, and synthesize the best elements of your individual thoughts. Together, come up with a direction for your interactive, two-person seating design.

Brainstorming

2.

In groups:

Now it's time to start prototyping small scaled versions of your ideas. Try to make at lest one prototype each that represent the same concept but vary in form.

Quick Prototyping

3.

30 mins

Choose one prototype to improve upon, and either make a new iteration of it or continue to hone its design during the time allotted.

Collect all your sketches and any prototypes you have.

Quickly (~2 min each) show your prototype to the class and explain its form and the interactivity it encourages.

Share-out

7.

15 mins

End of Challenge!