In this talk Lachlan explores the regulatory, technical and interactional
implications of Adaptive Architecture (AA) and how it will recalibrate
the nature of human-building interaction. We comprehensively unpack the
emergence and history of this novel concept, reflecting on the current
state of the art and policy foundations supporting it. As AA is
underpinned by the Internet of Things (IoT), we consider how regulatory
and surveillance issues posed by the IoT are manifesting in the built
environment. In our analysis, we utilise a prominent architectural
model, Stuart Brand’s Shearing Layers, to understand temporal change and
informational flows across different physical layers of a building. We
use three AA applications to situate our analysis, namely a smart IoT
security camera; an AA research prototype; and an AA commercial
deployment. Focusing on emerging information privacy and security
regulations, particularly the EU General Data Protection Regulation
2016, we examine AA from 5 perspectives: physical & information
security risks; challenges of establishing responsibility; enabling
occupant rights over flows, collection, use & control of personal
data; addressing increased visibility of emotions and bodies;
understanding surveillance of everyday routine activities. We conclude
with key challenges for AA regulation and the future of human–building
interaction.
Controversies in the Data Society 2019