Exploring the Boundaries of Spatial Intelligence Based on my study of use of mind’s eye in design

1. Exploring the Boundaries of Spatial IntelligenceBased on my study of use of mind’s eye in design By Uday Athavankar

2. 1 • Bit about my background • I am an architect and a designer • I plan to present my views as a person who enjoys taking decisions that affect 3D space • I earn my bread doing this • I am in minority here • Not a scientist like you. • I plan to present my ‘views’ …. Some of the views have been developed based on myresearch on the act of design Boundaries of spatial intelligence

3. Structure of presentation • Part I • Architect’s interpretation of spatial Intelligence • Part II • Lot of professions deal with spatial issues and learn on the job • Can you systematically develop competence to handle spatial manipulations, but not on the job? Boundaries of spatial intelligence

4. 1 • Quality of built form depends on how creators handle and manage spatial issues • Relationships of function X & Y : proximity • Access to spaces, sequences of spaces …. • Reduction of distance traveled • What should the object look like • … I assume that such actions need ‘spatial intelligence’ Boundaries of spatial intelligence

5. 2 “ It is difficult to stop architects and designers from sketching ” • Managing spatial issues is associated with vigorous sketching Boundaries of spatial intelligence

6. 2 • On the other hand • Anecdote of how the famous falling water was designed by FLW in his mind’s eye • Story or reality? FLW Boundaries of spatial intelligence

7. Part 1 is based on my work on how architects solve spatial problems whenblind folded • I have been trying to learn from the visualization strategies that the architects use to tackle spatial issues when blindfolded • My efforts to explore the boundaries must be seen in this context Boundaries of spatial intelligence

8. Working definition • Spatial intelligence is purpose driven manipulation of • Location, • Orientation and • Other space related matters • Focusing on exploring the boundaries • Architects seem to outperform themselves • I am not even sure if there are boundaries …. Boundaries of spatial intelligence

9. Quick overview 1996 … 97 • Curiosity • Designer effortlessly modeled 3D ideas in the mind’s eye • Sculpted the shape in front of him, interacted using hands as tools • Did the hand gestures helped him visualize the shape? Boundaries of spatial intelligence

10. Quick overview 1999 • Exposed to his gestures and speech, other designers could reconstruct the shape accurately! • Work 1999 - 2002 : More architects - same problem, Same architects different problem ….. Boundaries of spatial intelligence

11. Quick overview 2003 • Change in age group • Blindfolded classroom • Used student pair • Sighted as an architect partner Boundaries of spatial intelligence

12. Quick overview • To sum up • Architects are able to effortlessly • Visualize built form in the mind’s eye • Recall design precedence • Interact and modify it (with hand gestures) • Imagine ambiance of spaces • Simulate use or people using it Boundaries of spatial intelligence

13. Reaching out in the mind’s space: 2007….08 • Decided to push the boundary further by letting the blindfolded architects into a large hall and asking them to design Boundaries of spatial intelligence

14. Reaching out in the mind’s space : 2007….08 • Visualization strategies • Pacing the spaces in the mind’s eye • Architect physically moved as if mimicking the real world actions within a stationary visualization • Carrying the site on the shoulder • ……. • Architect’s presence : Avatars • The data suggests that they had not only visualized the site but were also on site Boundaries of spatial intelligence

15. Strategy 1 • Pacing in the spaces in the mind’s eye • The visualization was stationary and they moved around in the spaces they created • They were accurate in indicating locations and using these spaces Boundaries of spatial intelligence

16. Strategy 1 • They mimicked as if they were on the real site, building things around altering it. • Turning in a ‘fixed site orientation’ Boundaries of spatial intelligence

17. Strategy 2 • Architects moves a few paces and turns his body • The visualization also moves and turns • Carrying the site on the shoulder Boundaries of spatial intelligence

18. Strategy 2 • It is not clear if the need to move and turn the body was driven by the image in the mind or vice versa • Carrying the site on the shoulder • Architects seem to learn to handle this because of • design studios and through • orthographic drawings Boundaries of spatial intelligence

19. Structure of presentation • Part I • My interpretation of spatial Intelligence • Part II • Lot of professions deal with spatial issues and learn on the job • Can you systematically develop competence to handle spatial manipulations, but not on the job Boundaries of spatial intelligence

20. Part II • But natural that my work with blindfolding architects should influence other exploration • Mind’s Eye Puzzles • Games (using mind’s eye) • Tasks include • Problem solving and decisions based on the • Spatial transformations • Spatial memory • Part of my efforts to explore the boundaries Boundaries of spatial intelligence

21. Mind’s eye puzzles • Puzzles are based on my studies of the • Kinds of spatial problems encountered • Visualization strategies used • Partly based on • Cognitive operation on imagery listed by Kosslyn Boundaries of spatial intelligence

22. Mind’s eye puzzles • Principles used are, • Scan the image, memorize it • Operate on it in the absence of the image • Operations are • Transform: rotate, rotate, invert, integrate …. • Scan images • Generate from audio input: Boundaries of spatial intelligence

23. 1 2 3 Puzzle: Standard paper folding puzzle Boundaries of spatial intelligence

24. Mind’s eye puzzles • There are about fifty different types of puzzles • Use different combinations of cognitive operations • Cards are always reversed to force use of mind’s eye • Audio instructions on what, how …. Boundaries of spatial intelligence

25. Mind’s eye puzzles • Verbal instructions on how to assemble the image by joining cards, scan the image and remember it • Cards are reversed to disintegrate the image and • Then present a spatial problem by audio Boundaries of spatial intelligence

26. Mind’s eye puzzles • Teach and practice spatial manipulations in the mind’s eye, • Depend on memory, transformations and problem solving • Play value, challenge & fun Boundaries of spatial intelligence

27. Mind’s eye puzzles • Complexity levels are controllable (Seven levels) • Tested for age specificity • Not tested for • How long the effect last Boundaries of spatial intelligence

28. Games as a route • Specially designed to challenge spatial intelligence • Mixed with • Challenge, win • Fun and entertainment Boundaries of spatial intelligence

29. Games: 1 • Tangle • Forces mental manipulation of spaces and shape • Two players and double the number of Tangram pieces Boundaries of spatial intelligence

30. Games: 1 ? Move Opponent’s piece - 40 Your piece - 10 ? Spatial manipulation in the mind’s eye Boundaries of spatial intelligence

31. Games: 2 • Discover India • School children have low memory of maps • Rote learnt. Relationships are often not coded Boundaries of spatial intelligence

32. Correct location Games: 2 • Wheel announces the landmark • First player locates the place given • Second player can challenge it. Encouraged as he is given less resources Boundaries of spatial intelligence

33. Games: 2 • Clues promote education through clues • But resources do not permit using clues it often Boundaries of spatial intelligence

34. Games: 3 …… • From touch to an image • Shapes are in the pouch • Three shapes make a square • You have to feel and select Boundaries of spatial intelligence

35. Games • Besides spatial intelligence • the games • Teach balancing resources with risk • Play value, repeat play • Challenge the children • There is a chance that these demands will dominate the objective of development of spatial intelligence • Games and puzzles • Will the spatial learning last? • I don’t know Boundaries of spatial intelligence

36. Thank you Boundaries of spatial intelligence