Identifying criteria for the design of affective socially engaging kinetic architectural structures

This paper proposes an initial conceptual framework for the exploration of the affective and socially engaging attributes of kinetic architectural structures. Functional and structural optimisation and flexibility are not the only strengths of technologically enhanced kinetic architectural structures. The paper discusses methods through which this architecture can convey affect and social information like the human body. Such qualities can facilitate the visitors' familiarisation, interaction and engagement with such buildings. However, it is argued that this potential of kinetic architecture cannot be achieved through imitation of the structure and motion kinematics of the human body. Rather, the paper proposes the incorporation of paradigms from psychophysics, human-computer interaction and robotics research areas which explore the social, interactive and affective attributes of kinetic systems. It is suggested that basic minimal motion cues like sudden velocity changes as well as opaque internal system structure are some of the attributes which can facilitate social engagement and perception of affect.