Folded sensitive surface

Abstract

Folded Sensitive Surface pursues the aim to empower the sense of touch in the context of interactive architecture. The 1.3 by 1.2 meter large interactive wall is made of a folded surface structure with three dimensional cells. It is equipped with over 200 actuators of three different types: temperature, movement and light. The interaction reveals an interplay of various tactile and visual stimuli based on touch-reliant and bodily interaction. Embedded capacitive sensors enable the surface to "feel" the position of persons and respond to the human touch. Audience are encouraged interact with the surface not solely with the hands but with the entire body to experience the different sensible zones. The performance of the surface is based on behaviour patterns and locomotion in nature. This biomimetic approach includes also the temperature ranges and coloured light output. Folded Sensitive Surface shows a new perspective on how tactile sensory awareness can be augmented and amplified with interactive technology and presents an outlook on how interactive architecture might feel like.