FINAL DRAFT...

“No human being can really understand another, and no one can arrange another’s happiness”
- Graham Greene

Ultimately, the ideal environment for maximum learning and success in any environment differs for each individual and occupant of that environment. Every person is different and reacts differently to varying environments. For example, singing Karaoke for a child who suffers from autism could be frightening, overwhelming and horribly painful. Conversely, a child who communicates with no difficulty may find this experience liberating, exciting and enjoyable…

Here, a choice for the child with autism to rather play on a swing or complete an afternoon of art and craft may be much more successful depending on their specific needs. This building has developed based on this premise of each person ‘arranging their own happiness’ relative to the most effective environment for interaction and learning.

A linear progression through the space would be unsuccessful as it instils an undertone of failure if the user is unable to progress through the building; hence tailoring the spaces to the user’s needs is the key to their maximal occupational development. Take this to the next level and the user is given the opportunity to not only use the desired spaces to improve learning but in addition, they can configure their own space.

The model of the Nintendo Wii is used as a precedent in the system developed for the buildings spatial configuration. After consultation with an occupational therapist and/or a physiotherapist, the user (children between ages 2 and 17) is given a remote control. The remote is wirelessly connected to select Private Occupation Development Spaces. The child can then configure the selected PODS however they feel will be most comfortable for them to use the building. The aim here is to empower the user in feeling that they are contributing to the building’s design and specific use relative to their ideal environment. The user can now occupy the spaces; each designed to achieve a different set of fine and gross motor skills, once again programmed to their specific needs after consulting a occupational or physio therapist.

Interactivity doesn’t have to lie only in the form of digital imagery and pixels…Simulation of a person’s environment is one means by which teaching can take place, but the ultimate learning experience is one that engages all the senses whereby the user is totally immersed in the experience.

This experiment aims to trial the movement of P.O.D.S relative to the “ideals” of the person manipulating the space. The images in this poster and footage show people designing their ideal configuration of the P.O.D.S. Each P.O.D.S follows a given path, which has been designated by the architect but allows enough freedom for the P.O.D.S to have a number of possible permutations and combinations on the site. Furthermore, the experiment attempts to get a number of opinions on the most effective use of each the interior teaching areas of these spaces to maximise the learning process and skill development.