, interactive installation, interactive architecture, cybernetics, responsive architecture, interactive art, digital fabrication, responsive art, responsive installation, living architecture, installation art, soft architecture, kinetic art, kinetic installation, responsive environments, interacitve environments, cyber-physical

Living Architecture Test-Bed

ICEE Success Foundation, Palestine Independent School District

Palestine, Texas, US  2014

The Living Architecture research group was invited to present an immersive, interactive installation and curriculum workshop for the city of Palestine, Texas and the Palestine Independent School District, in partnership with the Institute of Creativity Empowering Education (ICEE) Success Inc. The group has been collaborating since 2012, applying Living Architecture group research to classroom settings in order to develop curriculum for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12. Leaders included Rob Gorbet of Knowledge Integration, University of Waterloo, and Lucinda Presley, Director of ICEE Success, working with Philip Beesley, studio associates and a large group of community members and young students.

The research integrates current Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with Art, creating innovative STEAM education models. Students are immersed in hands-on science that relates to the Living Architecture installation. The exhibit and demonstration kits encourage exploration of how varying physical processes can combine into complex natural systems. Exploring the installation components, students learn to use art/design thinking and how to integrate these experiences in innovative ways. Measurement of Living Architecture programs were conducted in collaboration with the Centre for Brain Research, University of Texas, confirming these methods are highly effective for teaching and learning.

Project Leads

  • Philip Beesley
  • Martin Correa
  • Rob Gorbet
  • Lucinda Presley
  • Darcie Watson

Team Members

  • Petra Bogias
  • Miguel Enkerlin
  • Anne Paxton
  • Salvador Miranda
  • Siubhan Taylor
  • Mingyi Zhou

Palestine Steering Committee

  • Jackson Hanks and Diane Sloan, Chairs
  • Brenda Cobble
  • Sharon Davis
  • Linda Dickens
  • Rhonda Herrington
  • Breezy Lake
  • Larissa Lovelace
  • Toni Rogers
  • Brett Wisenburn

Collaborators

  • Matt Borland
  • Matthew Chan
  • Dana Kulic

Production (Palestine)

  • Nick Clewis-Jones
  • Destiny Harding
  • Jonathan Olguin
  • David Retana
  • SSHRC
  • NSERC
  • Canada Council for the Arts
  • Ontario Arts Council
  • Toronto Arts Council
  • The University of Waterloo
  • MITACS
  • Palestine Independent School District
  • The City of Palestine