ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on a series of design concept vignettes which dissect the new capabilities of adaptive spaces. As adaptive environments take on new capabilities, it is up to architectural designers to ensure such spaces are integrated for the maximum positive benefit of occupants. By layering shifting surfaces with transient locations, architecture gains more "ingredients" by which it can grow from interactive one-off response to adaptive two-way dialogue. One design approach that can be layered with surface-shifting and surface-traveling is optical positioning. The transient traveling and jumping of shifting spaces does give architecture chameleon-like qualities, and if not integrated with well-designed rules, an architecture's authenticity and contextual awareness can be lost. By integrating nature as part of its occupants' experience, adaptive architecture can create richer, more meaningful, moments for occupants. By using information visualization in a window it becomes possible to communicate different information dependent upon where an occupant is positioned.
