A mind needs its body 2021, Sweden, Stockholm

Connecting digital & physical educational environments

By creating an online identity & presence for a physical space, students are able to access their shared memories and remain connected while working remotely.

To maintain a connection between members of a student group whose education has moved exclusively to a digital space. This proposal channels the virtual energy back to the campus using digital tools. The intervention aims to evoke shared memories and act as a common companion for those studying in isolation, shifting the current future implied scenarios of Control, Capsularisation and Commodification into: community, connection and co-creation. In preparation for remote learning, the student group collectively install light scenes in the outdoor courtyard of their physical educational hub, the school of architecture building at KTH, Stockholm. A live video feed of the site is used to create an online identity for the physical space, so it can participate, with the students, as a key element in their lectures & presentations via platforms such as zoom. A responsive feedback loop emerges between the digital and physical educational environments, strengthening after sunset through the use of light.

Poster



Details

Team members : Anastasia Angeli, Elin Ghersinich and Siobhan Lawson

Supervisor : Rodrigo Muro

Institution : KTH Stockholm

Descriptions

Technical Concept : At the physical site, motion sensors detect presence from dusk & activate the warm sauna light that invites people to be in the space & linger. Adding to the physical energy on-site. When students log in to their online learning portal, the full light scene is activated from dusk - 10pm. As the student numbers increase online, so does the intensity of the light scenes. (providing an indication of how many other students are also studying). If students want to actively interact with the space, there is a digital poke function which creates a subtle movement of the light scenes, a gentle flicker. Students can tune into the live feed as they work from home, this place acting as a companion when working in isolation, retaining a connection to others but at the same time, not feeling watched as specific identities are not revealed.

Visual Concept : The on site light installation concept is that of a Nordic glade. Here, there are 4 elements, each with a unique character of light that responds to the problems identified through our research. The primary area is our sauna atmosphere on the stairs, with a warm glow to invite people to use the space. We incorporated a graphical moon effect high on a round facade to aid orientation from a secondary entrance and cool lake area which provides general lighting on the floor, defines the space & provides a colour contrast to the sauna. We address space continuation & add rhythm by illuminating columns in our forest area, highlighting the texture of materials.

Credits

Siobhan Lawson

Elin Ghersinich

Elin Ghersinich

Elin Ghersinich

Siobhan Lawson

Siobhan Lawson

Siobhan Lawson

Siobhan Lawson