Tidal Space: Interactive Home Installation for Work-From-Home Parents

Abstract

The past few years of COVID-19 lockdown have made it abundantly clear that both childcare and professional work are inextricable from the home office – as many were forced to juggle between various roles and expectations while caring for their family and working from home. Tidal Space considers the manifold needs of work-from-home parents by incorporating motorized curtains and a foldable acoustic panel into the home office. Triggered by screen activity, the curtains self-adjust to serve as spatial moderators, mediating the boundaries between different types of work. From soundproof separation for focused work, to more translucent and open configurations for checking on the children, to interactive elements allowing kids and parents to play, Tidal Space aims to improve the home office experience for all.