DIGITALLY ENHANCED SPACES
Immersive digital environments create an artificial, interactive computer generated world with which a user can envelop themselves in the artificial space. These environments are akin to virtual reality. The success of the environment depends on many factors such as believable three dimensional graphics, surround sound and interactive user-input.
Often the goal is to create an experience where the person is emotionally engaged by creating a sense of reality. Apart from the realism of the ‘space’ this sense of the created experience can be reinforced by use of tactile operations, control of the experience by the user or an emotional engagement by way of a narrative or story.
The aim of this project will be to create social spaces which are enhanced by digital environments.
THE DESIGN
The project is to be a contemporary Supper Club - café/bar/multi-function space. [Wikipedia – search Supper Club]. Supper Club’s can be in various guises. The of this design exercise is to explore the idea of casual/pop-up venues – intimate and discrete and appealing to a techno-savvy clientele.
By researching current and developing technologies, you are to develop a digitally enhanced environment and create a new sense of space and interaction for the customer.
Indicative Brief
- café/bar space for 50-100 customers
- a multi-function space
- kitchen /bar/ server area
- arrival space
- Support rooms
- Amenities
PROCESS
The folly is the starting point for your design. By researching and formulating a brief for the function, your design is to develop into a new form and find innovative solutions and incorporate digital technology to enhance the experience
Start – gather knowledge and appreciation of the design problem before developing a conceptual solution. Initially, information is to be gathered by group work before developing individual designs.
Understand – research the site, its context in the city, history and built forms, in order to establish a comprehensive awareness of the environment and how to respect and interact and be inspired by the site
Inform – research performance spaces, digital technologies, user experiences and expectations with a focus on being able to understand how digital technology can affect, create, augment and express an artificial environment.
Explore – start with large block planning and forms, develop designs that fit the context and brief
Test – draw, model and illustrate the spaces and facilities that will become the essence of the user experience
Merge – bring together all the information to a comprehensive design and develop the detail
Finalise – illustrate the design by way of 2D/3D drawings and models
