Tiny Apartment by Gary Chang

In Hong Kong, because of the space, apartments are small and expensive. Gary Chang, an architect, decided to design a 344 sq. ft. apartment to be able to change into 24 different designs, all by just sliding panels and walls. He calls this the “Domestic Transformer.”

PIXELS by Patrick Jean

http://www.vimeo.com/10829255

Interesting concept video. PIXELS is Patrick Jean’ latest short film, shot on location in New York.

Smart Geometry 2010 by Felipe Pecegueiro do Amaral Cura

http://www.vimeo.com/10401084

Really interesting video talking about how to use parametric software to control objects in space. Lots to think about. Great work over there on so many different levels. More info on the conference website.

Firefly by SENSEable City Lab

Flyfire, a project initiated by the SENSEable City Laboratory in collaboration with ARES Lab (Aerospace Robotics and Embedded Systems Laboratory) aims to transform any ordinary space into a highly immersive and interactive display environment.

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Curious Displays by Julia Yu Tsao

http://www.vimeo.com/9486977

Curious Displays functions simultaneously as a form of design research and as a proposal for a new product, a future display technology. Curious Displays is a product proposal for a new platform for display technology. Instead of a fixed form factor screen, the display surface is instead broken up into hundreds of ½ inch display blocks. Each block operates independently as a self-contained unit, and has full mobility, allowing movement across any physical surface. The blocks operate independently of one another, but are aware of the position and role relative to the rest of the system. With this awareness, the blocks are able to coordinate with the other blocks to reconfigure their positioning to form larger display surfaces and forms depending on purpose and function. In this way, the blocks become a physical embodiment of digital media, and act as a vehicle for the physical manifestation of what typically exists only in the virtual space of the screen. More of Julia’s great work can be seen on her website.

N Building by Alexander Reeder

http://www.vimeo.com/8468513

N Building is a commercial structure located near Tachikawa station amidst a shopping district. Being a commercial building signs or billboards are typically attached to its facade which we feel undermines the structures’ identity. As a solution we thought to use a QR Code as the facade itself. By reading the QR Code with your mobile device you will be taken to a site which includes up to date shop information. In this manner we envision a cityscape unhindered by ubiquitous signage and also an improvement to the quality and accuracy of the information itself.

Augmented (hyper)Reality: Domestic Robocop

Great student project showing possibilities in Augmented Reality. The author writes “The latter half of the 20th century saw the built environment merged with media space, and architecture taking on new roles related to branding, image and consumerism. Augmented reality may recontextualise the functions of consumerism and architecture, and change in the way in which we operate within it. A film produced for my final year Masters in Architecture, part of a larger project about the social and architectural consequences of new media and augmented reality.” I think this is a great example of what is possible and why it is so critical that we design how this media is integrated with architecture.

I Am Concept Video by Tronic Studio

http://www.vimeo.com/7400277

Tronic recently created a great concept video showing reprogrammable matter. The video is described, “The title comes from the animals’ declaration of who they are. Each animal says, “I AM the elephant” and “I AM the horse” and it’s through language that they are reinforcing their physicality and their place in the world.”