The immersive effect of adaptive architecture

This paper explores the role of immersion in the generation of specific interactive effects, within the context of the emerging research field of Adaptive Architecture. Drawing on an existing biofeedback-driven prototype that links a person’s respiration to the form of their environment, the study presented here compared an immersive condition with a non-immersive condition to capture differences in participant experiences. The immersive condition afforded the majority of participants a relaxed, embodied experience, whereas the non-immersive condition left people unconnected. The study did not surface statistically significant differences in participants’ physiological responses between the two conditions. The study findings contribute to the understanding of our relationship with adaptive environments, underpinned by pervasive computing technologies, as they emerge in the Arts and Architecture.