The Meaningful Integration of Interactive Media in Architecture

Current media architecture practice demonstrates the rich potential of interactive media in our built environment for various economic, social and cultural purposes. However, the meaningful integration of interactive media with(in) architecture remains challenging, as architects typically expect that media-specific qualities amplify the architectural intentions and experience of the built environment. This paper demonstrates how this challenge can be tackled by grounding the design rationale of an interactive media architecture manifestation on fundamental architectural motives, such as the intended physical, experiential and communicative characteristics. More specifically, we discuss the design rationale of a permanent, sound-based media façade that will consist of the dynamic mechanical actuation of multiple wooden window frames. By explicitly articulating the design rationale in an architectural framework, this paper aims to inform emerging HCI research on human-building interaction (HBI) from a 'building' perspective.