How Will We Breathe Tomorrow?

Abstract

This paper presents the concept of a fiction-driven workshop that was conducted using a process called D/A/R/E. The aim of this design-orientated approach is to address environmental issues with citizens and empower them in understanding digital technology concepts. Within the framework of an urban artist research and mediation project, a pilot study on the question 'How will we breathe tomorrow?' was devised. For this endeavour, participants were introduced to the subject of air quality and took part in the process of creating a personal data-based future artefact with sensor technology. In the spirit of Antony Dunne and Fiona Raby, these functional artefacts were used as tools to better comprehend the present and discuss a desirable future. Additionally, they were utilised to engage the broader public in environmental, digital, and ethical issues.

Towards Atmospheric Interfaces

“…We envision that, rather than only collecting data, atmospheric interfaces can be integrated into our everyday lives. Atmospheric interfaces can become cultural artifacts [52], support personal health care [43], enable playful learning [9,41,42,54,56], and have the ability to control other systems in a computer environment (e.g., home automation) [5]. For example, a T-shirt that illuminates when the air quality is poor [39], shape-changing columns that respond to CO2 values to control indoor climate [38], or a dress that changes color in a polluted environment [1] are all potential applications.…”

“…Based on the experience that has been gained in a prior pilot study that focused on PM [9], we believe that this proposed taxonomy is a starting point to empower the creation of atmospheric interfaces within participatory workshops.…”

“…3.4.1 Participatory Workshops. In the framework of an urban artist research and mediation project, we realized that participants have different concerns and interests to perceive the state of air [9]. Providing personal health care to prevent asthma attacks, creating a warning system for fresh air supplies in classrooms, or wearing inflatable suits to store healthy air were some of the discussed topics (see Figure 3).…”

“…Citizen science enables individuals to participate in alternative research projects that address various issues. This method is actively used in the area of HCI to provide technological solutions for environmental sustainability and urban development [19], such as networked air quality sensors that are used as tools for bottom-up community data collection [24,40,47] or participatory workshops to transfer knowledge about environmental issues [9,41,42]. Therefore, cooperation and outreach could be considered with environmental research centers, educational projects, open knowledge foundations, maker spaces, museums, and galleries.…”