Mette Ramsgard Thomsen

Correlations between Vocal Input and Visual Response Apparently Enhance Presence in a Virtual Environment

Abstract This work investigates novel alternative means of interaction in a virtual environment (VE). We analyze whether humans can remap established body functions to learn to interact with digital information in an environment that is cross-sensory by nature and uses vocal utterances in order to influence (abstract) virtual objects. We thus establish a correlation among learning, control of the interface, and the perceived sense of presence in the VE. The application enables intuitive interaction by mapping actions (the prosodic aspects of the human voice) to a certain response (i.e., visualization). A series of single-user and multiuser studies shows that users can gain control of the intuitive interface and learn to adapt to new and previously unseen tasks in VEs. Despite the abstract nature of the presented environment, presence scores were generally very high.

Drawing a live section: explorations into robotic membranes

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss the conceptualisation, design and realisation of a robotic membrane. Presenting research taking place between the cross‐over among architecture, technical textiles and computer science, the paper seeks to explore the theoretical as well as the practical foundations for the making of a dynamic architecture.Design/methodology/approach – The project employs an architectural design method developing working demonstrators. The paper asks how a material can be described through its behavioural as well as its formal properties. As new materials such as conductive and resistive fibres as well as smart memory alloys and polymers are developed, it becomes possible to create new hybrid materials that incorporate the possibility for state change.Findings – The paper presents the first explorations into the making of architectural membranes that integrate systems for steering using traditional textile technologies. This paper presents a series of architectural investigations and mo...

Sites of flux: imagining space in the dance-architectures of The Changing Room and Sea Unsea

This paper presents the conceptualization of an event space of interaction. Referring to enchantment as a means of describing an indeterminate and evolving state of interaction, where the meaning of the interactive object or environment remains open ended and exploratory, this paper explores how contemporary architectural concepts of space and inhabitation can allow for a new framing of interactive experiences. Presenting the two dance-architectures The Changing Room and Sea Unsea as case studies, the paper seeks to demonstrate challenges to the way space and place are understood in Human–Computer Interaction.

Sensing material systems - novel design strategies

The development of new building materials has decisively influenced the progression of architecture through the link between built form and available material systems. The new generation of engineered materials are no exception. However, to fully utilise these materials in the design process, there is a need for designers to understand how these new materials perform. In this paper we propose a method for sensing and representing the response of materials to external stimuli, at the early design stage, to help the designer establish a material awareness. We present a novel approach for embedding capacitive sensors into material models in order to improve material performance of designs. The method was applied and tested during two workshops, both discussed in this paper. The outcome is a method for anticipating engineered material behaviour.

Generating a scalar logic: producing the "it's a SMALL world" exhibition

This paper presents the design project “its a SMALL world”, an exhibition design developed for the Danish Design Centre in 2009. The project investigates the making of a generative design environment by which multiple design parameters as from program, site or the subsequent digital fabrication and assembly process can be negotiated. In this paper we discuss methods for understanding the emergent interrelationships between encoded parameters, how to manage these and their impact on design. The implementation of the design necessitated a novel design method that allowed to blend the qualities of a generative design approach, that can adapt through recursion gradually to local requirements, with explicit definitions. The project showcases with its new developed manufacturing system for nonstandard element how customized digital design and production tools allow for a novel nearness to material and new ways of production and collaboration of architects, engineers and the crafts.