Elle-May Simmonds Portfolio

ARCHITECTURE MA(RCH)

Adopting home working, analysing bodily rituals

ARC8060

and enhancing the live-work environment

STAGE 06

2020 | 2021 ELLE-MAY SIMMONDS 13024503

ELLE-MAY SIMMONDS

INTEGRATED DESIGN SUBMISSION

THE ARCHITECTURE OF ENRICHMENT

CONTENTS ABSTRACT

04

ARCHIVE OF THE COLLECTIVE INTERIOR

05

SOCIETAL CONTEXT

06

PHYSICAL RESPONSES

16

BREAK’ING AWAY

37

THESIS METHODOLOGY

40

KINETIC TOOL - KIT

48

KINETIC HOME

69

SUMMARY

82

REFERENCES

83

04

ABSTRACT Grounded within the context of the Covid-19 pandemic this thesis begins with a detailed exploration of the UK Governments pandemic responses and subsequent restrictions imposed upon the British public. Considered a ‘safe space’, the government have continually encouraged the public ‘stay home’ as part of their strategy to control the spread of the virus. With almost half of the UK professional population working from home following the initial lock-down, professional consensus reveals a desire to continue home working whilst several large companies have announced plans to continually adopt home working practices, thus illustrating a partial transition toward a home working economy.

For those part of this transitioning economy, the at-home workspace has become a significant part of our lives, in turn, our thoughts on whether the live-work typology is meeting the needs of our bodies has been challenged. Having been a part of the home working transition, my experience offers a perspective which considers how the change has directly influenced the body and bodily interactions.

Whilst the creative act of mapping looks to uncover realities previously unseen or unimagined, creating a better understanding of the physical body’s relationship with the workspace, how the body is moving and how it is transforming in this new-found interiority.

With many professionals and large companies announcing long terms plans to adopt home working practices, we can likely assume that for many of us the workplace may no longer be considered immediately separate from the home. In response to this, the proposal aspect as of this thesis has primarily focussed on development of the ‘kinetic tool-kit’. In recognising static desk culture, the tool-kit seeks to extend and augment the domestic environment through a series of analogue interventions. The interventions, operated through human interaction, engage core body joints and encourage a variety of stretching movements. Novel and fun, the tool-kit interventions, which are subtly integrated throughout the domestic home help those working from home to combat office syndrome and regularly energise the body.

ARCHIVE of the COLLECTIVE INTERIOR “ Do homes need to adapt to better accommodate desk culture and encourage physical enrichment? ”

‘Archive of the Collective Interior’ gives title to this year’s studio, in part the studio challenges the subsequent dissolution of educational and professional environments in response to the Covid-19 global pandemic. Relatively, this thesis begins with a detailed exploration of the UK Governments pandemic responses and subsequent public restrictions. Over a year beyond the virus’s origin, the notion of restriction, lock-down and ‘stay home’ is still very much a contemporary concept as frequent and consistent measures of restriction are announced. Considered a ‘safe space’, the government have continually encouraged the public ‘stay home’ as part of their strategy to control the spread of the virus and prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed. With the emptying of professional and educational environments workspaces and the closure of leisure facilities, the home has had to adapt to accommodate professional and personal aspects of our lives previously shared by a multitude of architectural environments. With almost half of the UK professional population working from home following the initial lock-down, the experience has provided both employees and employers with a unique opportunity to understand how this shift may affect specific aspects of their lives. With many benefits to home working, professional consensus reveals a desire to continue home working whilst several large companies have announced plans to continually adopt home working practices, either in part or in full - thus illustrating a transition toward an economy which more notably accommodates home working. For many of us we can likely

assume that the workplace and home may no longer be considered immediately separate.

For those part of this transitioning economy, the at-home workspace has become a significant part of our lives, in turn, our thoughts regarding whether the live-work typology is meeting the needs of our bodies has been challenged. During this time of crisis, it is important to pause and reflect on the impact this has on our well-being.

Do homes need to adapt to better accommodate desk culture and encourage physical enrichment?

Having been a part of the home working transition, my experience offers a perspective which considers how the change has directly influenced the body and bodily interactions. Retrospective and present-day analysis reveals how bodily rhythms and rituals are subject to disappearance as work collapses into our homes and access to external facilities are restricted. Whilst the creative act of mapping looks to uncover realities previously unseen or unimagined, creating a better understanding of the body’s physical relationship with the workspace - how the body is moving and transforming in this new-found interiority.

05

06

Societal Context Chapter One

SOCIETAL CONTEXTS

01

Restrictive Responses ”Stay at Home”

In the early months of 2020, the globe arrived at a new juncture of disease and architecture, where fear of contamination began to control the spaces we experience and the way in which we live our lives (Chayka, 2020). Covid-19 or Coronavirus disease is the cause of the present global pandemic, an infectious disease, the virus is highly contagious and thus difficult to control. Spreading primarily through droplets the virus is transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes (World Health Organisation, 2020). Common symptoms include experiencing mild to moderate respiratory illness, fever and in some cases loss of taste or smell. Although most recover without special treatment older people and those with underlying medical problems are particularly vulnerable to developing serious illness. In order to prevent and slow down transmission, general global advice, as provided by the World Health Organisation consists of sanitising of hands, physical distancing, respiratory etiquette, and the wearing face masks when indoors. Furthermore, outbreaks of the virus have been associated with environments which promote crowds, consequently, we have been encouraged to avoid congregating in close contact spaces.

In addition to the advice distributed by the World Health Organisation, national governments, specifically our own have

further implemented constricting measures including national lockdowns and regional tiers, in which restriction is regionally applied in response to concentrated rising infection rates. For many a national lockdown was originally thought to be an isolated event, however, with the progression of time, this has become a mainstream aspect of our society. The subsequent ‘Covid Timeline’ illustrates the ongoing prevalence of British legal enforcement on human movements. Holistically the British government has imposed three consecutive total lockdowns, the most recent being announced in January 2021 in which all non-essential spaces were forced to close.

This ongoing lock-down is thought to be implemented for several months, with scope to extend this further if required. The government messaging during the coronavirus crisis, as exemplified in the ‘Covid Campaigns’ diagram has continually changed in line with fluctuating figures and guidelines, however, the most common message can be regarded as ‘stay home’. Home being considered a ‘safe space’, this advice aims to reduce transmission and control the virus.

The message ‘stay home, protect the NHS, save lives’ has been pushed relentlessly by Prime Minister, Borris Johnson when addressing the nation regarding lockdown and further reinforced

by Cabinet ministers and their teams (Hope and Dixon, 2020).

“ Stay at home > Protect the NHS > Save Lives ” (UK Prime Minister -Boris Johnson, 2020)

07 Shorthand for the government’s strategy to control the spread of the virus, the campaign has also been designed to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed. Limited capacity being a critical issue for NHS, a continued rise in Covid cases has consequently resulted in important non-covid treatments and surgeries going unattended

(Conservatives, 2020). With ‘stay home’ being a key message during lockdown a wide variety of people have had to adapt to adopt home working initiatives and accommodate aspects of their life typically associated with spaces outside the home.

OCT

NOV

DEC

SEP

MAY

MAR 2020

Covid Campaigns (Key UK government announcements relating to Covid-19 restrictions - extracted taken from UK Prime Minister Facebook Page)

JAN 2021

Covid Timeline (timeline illustrating key UK government responses to Covid-19 and how movement has been subsequently restricted) TIER SYSTEM INCREASED. Most of the country is placed in tier 4 ‘stay at home’

DEC 26TH

PFIZER VACCINE is rolled out across UK.

DEC 8TH

Second NATIONAL LOCK-DOWN

NOV 5TH

FACEMASKS are mandatory in supermarkets, shops & public transport. LEISURE FACILITIES REOPENED 25th July.

JUL 24TH

Non-essential retailers may reopen.

JUN 15TH

LOCK-DOWN RESTRICTIONS EASE. People who can’t work remotely to ‘return to work’. ‘Stay Alert > Control the Virus > Save Lives’

MAY 10TH

MAR 23RD

2020

2021

Third UK NATIONAL LOCK-DOWN. ‘Stay at Home > Protect the NHS > Save Lives’

JAN 4TH

CHRISTMAS CANCELLED. Families can ‘bubble’ in three-household groups for Christmas Day only.

DEC 20TH

National lock-down eased, returned to three tier system - north east placed in highest tier.

DEC 2ND

TIER SYSTEM INTRODUCED. Entire country is placed between tier one - three.

OCT 12TH

‘SUPER SATURDAY’. Hospitality, salons and places of worship reopen. The “1-metre-plus” rule is introduced.

JUL 4TH

Schools begin phased reopening.

JUN 1ST

Official UK NATIONAL LOCKDOWN. ‘Stay at Home > Protect the NHS > Save Lives’

08 Societal Context Chapter One

09

Stay at Home > Protect the NHS > Save Lives

10

Societal Context Chapter One

Home Working Economy Live-Work Before the pandemic, only around 5% of the UK professionals worked from home, steadily rising over the past five years the pandemic has rapidly escalated this to 46.6% - measured by the Office of National Statistics in their April 2020 homeworking survey (ONS, 2020). The experience has provided both employers and employees with a unique opportunity to understand how working from home may affect specific aspects of their lives, in turn reformed attitudes toward flexible working in general (CIPD, 2020). The concept of flexible working describes a type of working arrangement which gives a degree of flexibility to its employees, not exclusive to homeworking the term also includes part-time, job share and flexitime (CIPD, 2020).

From an employee’s perspective flexible working has enabled a more efficient balance between work and personal life, assisting in the organisation of commitments and reduced commuting, inherently saving time and money. Financial savings, in turn, benefit employers as money is saved on office space, office supplies, utility bills and other facilities (NI Business Info, 2020). Of course, the concept of homeworking is not advantageous for everyone, some employees preferring the routine, structure, and sociality of the office environment. The impact of home working on mental health and well-being can be both positive and negative, depending on the individual. For some, the home may be more conducive environment whilst for others, it may instil feelings of isolation. The biggest challenge facing employers with home working are the issues surrounding monitoring performance and development of staff, it potentially being more difficult for new staff to learn when not alongside staff leaders or mentors.

familiar with. The likelihood that there may be continued limitations to public transport and on the number of people working in an office building (CIPD, 2020) means that even as lockdown restrictions ease many employees will continue to work from home. Or during a phased return to the workplace, teams will likely find there is a mix of virtual home and physical office-based working.

Looking toward the longevity of home working, recent surveys such as that by Arch Daily suggested that more than 80% of architectural professionals wish to continue working from home even after the pandemic has waned (Migliani, 2020). In turn, research reveals that many larger companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook, Google, Mastercard, Barclays and Lloyds who are similarly satisfied with home working, have announced long term plans to adopt this practice, observing that remote work was just as, if not more productive than face-to-face work (Harper, 2020).

With numerous limitations concerning professional office spaces and increasing benefits of home working, we can likely assume that for many of us the workplace may no longer be considered immediately separate from the home and that the concept of home working will likely continue to be a significant part of our lives. As live-work boundaries are blurred, we are encouraged to evaluate this new dynamic, consider specific user needs and find opportunities to develop home-working environments.

The benefits and drawback to home working are not limited to those outlined, however, these can be considered those we are most

“For most roles, we view working from home part of the time (less than 50%) as now standard” (Kathleen Hogan - Microsoft’s chief people officer, Oct 2020)

11 “We’re going to be the most forward-leaning company on remote work at our scale” (Mark Zuckerberg - Founder of Facebook, May 2020)

“ I think we could get to about half of the company working remotely permanently” (Mark Zuckerberg - Founder of Facebook, May 2020)

Home Working Economy

“Lloyds Banking Group is redeploying 700 staff into full-time homeworking roles from 2021, in the latest sign that big banks are embracing remote working even as vaccines put the end of Covid restrictions in sight” (Kalyeena Makortoff - Guardian Business Corespondent, Dec 2020)

12

Societal Context Chapter One

Adapting for Home Working Personal Study Similarly to UK professionals, there has also been a mass transition toward home working for school and university students. With restricted access to facilities, many of those in full-time education, myself included have had to relocate their studies away from the school or university campus to their domestic family homes. During the initial lockdown, I moved out of at my sister’s home in Newcastle and back to my parents’ home in Teesside. The reason being that without access to the studio I was left without many of the key pieces of equipment needed to continue my studies, including a desk, stable wi-fi or space for creative modelling. Furthermore, we did not have the physical or financial capacity to convert existing rooms, inherently the move back to the domestic home has enabled the continuation of my studies. Respectively the space I now regard as my studio has been set up within the household walk-in wardrobe, adapted to accommodate my home working.

The pandemic has not only enforced the adoption of home working initiatives but restricted access to other architectural environments such as leisure and retail which would typically enrich other aspects of our lives. The shift has resulted in considerable time being spent within the home and most specifically for me, my designated working environment. In turn, this has challenged my thoughts regarding the concept of live-work and weather the current home needs to adapt in order to better accommodate my personal needs. ‘The space which was once considered adequate for daily needs in a pre-pandemic era, now seems to feel less functional and fulfilling’ (Overstreet, 2021). With this and the wider considerations which suggest a move toward a more weighted home working economy, the home can be considered the site in which this thesis is grounded.

13 KEY

WHITLEY BAY

PREVIOUS HOME

Home prior to lock-down; West Monkseaton, Whitley Bay

Workplace prior to lockdown; Newcastle, University Campus

NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY PREVIOUS WORKPLACE

Present home/ workspace;Parents home, Billingham, Teesside

Previous commute to workplace

Relocation of home/ workplace

BILLINGHAM CURRENT HOME/ WORKPLACE

Relocation of studies; current home/workplace

14

Societal Context Chapter One

Site Location - Home/Workplace

15

Adapted Home - Home Working

16

Physical Response Chapter Two

PHYSICAL RESPONSES

02

Physical Fatigue Restrictive Results

Centralised around the home, this study aspires to analyse and map my own movements throughout the pandemic, better understanding how bodies are responding in their new-found interiority. During the initial lockdown, one of the most notable physical changes I experienced was the significant change in the routines and rituals which commuting to University would inherently bring.

The commute consisted of a 20-minute walk to the metro station coupled with a 30-minute train journey, in which the trains were not particularly frequent yet frequently delayed. An arduous journey, this aspect of the workplace was one I distinctly disliked. With the move to home working, this ritual ceased to be a part of my day and inherently saved me time, money, and significantly reduced stress. Furthermore, I found working from home a more conducive learning environment for remaining focussed. Although creatively enriching, the studio environment could often be loud, busy and encourage distraction. Despite many benefits associated with this ritualistic change, there was consequently a notable reduction in bodily animation contributing to fatigue of the bodies core joints and musculoskeletal pain to the back, shoulders, knees, hands and neck, which progressively deepened throughout the course of the lockdown.

Bodily fatigue; musculoskeletal pain

17

Finding my commute and rituals surrounding the university replaced, upon the reopening of leisure facilities I enhanced this new routine further by becoming a member at my local swimming pool. Unlike high impact exercise such as running, swimming gives all the benefits of an aerobic workout without any damaging impact on joints, whilst the motions of the sport stretch the body and improve flexibility, making it one most suitable and recommended forms of exercise for those suffering from joint paint (Henson, 2013). With a regular swimming routine of three times per week, an evening walk twice and a daily session with Calm my post lockdown routine went on to substitute commuting rituals, strengthen my body and sustaining the home working initiative.

Pre Lock-down Routine

Activities

Time (hrs)

In response to the musculoskeletal pain experienced during the initial lockdown, one of the ways I was able to alleviate this was through daily exercise. In line with government lock-down guidance, the opportunity to exercise outside of the home has been limited to once per day. With these limitations and the need to relieve my body a physical strain, a regular walk was steadily introduced in my routine alongside the use of an app called ‘Calm’ and its feature ‘Calm Body’ which outlined a short morning stretching sequence. As described by Calm, movement is one of the most powerful ways to release tension, lift depression, and get better sleep (Calm, 2020). The app consists of short, guided sessions, which ease the body into gentle, accessible movements designed to create the balance and stability the body needs.

Time (hrs)

Physical Relieve Restrictive Responses

Activities

Post Initial Lock-down Routine

18

Physical Response Chapter Two

Rhythms & Routines

19 Mapping Technique Chronophotography Building on analytical observations surrounding commuting related rituals and subsequent changes, further investigations look at the body’s relationship with the workspace itself. Explored through the act of mapping, this technique, commonly confused with tracing, an activity which reproduces what is already known can be defined as a creative practice which does not reproduce but uncovers realities previously unseen or unimagined (Corner, 1999). Particularly instrumental in the construing and constructing of lived space, mapping looks to reveal hidden potential and reshape the worlds in which people live. Actively speaking, the subsequent mapping will look to better understand the bodies relationship with the desk and investigate how this may contribute to physical fatigue.

Ettiene-Jules Marey; Chronophotograph taken by Chronophotographic Gun

To map movement around a singular location, the concept of how this can be achieved must first be understood. Chronophotography is the earliest mechanism in analysing natural movement, “chrono”, the Greek word for time, is most literally defined as “time photography” (Curtis, 2015). The chronophotograph technique, developed by Ettiene-Jules Marey, 1882, involved taking a series of still pictures over a pre-determined amount of time thus arranging them into a single photograph for analysis. Marey achieved this technique through the invention of the chronophotographic gun, the device revolved film, exposing it to light, for as long as the trigger was held. Mary used the camera to capture the movements of birds, allowing us to see things that we were unable to before (STATUS, 2015). The technique was further improved upon by Harold Edgerton, 1950, with the invention of stroboscopic equipment. An early form flash photography this method of image capture was used as both diagnostic and artistic tools, allowing engineers to analyse their machinery and athletes their movements, thus improving form. Ancestors to the ‘time-lapse’, this technique of capturing the imperceptible is built into almost all modern-day phones and cameras. Furthermore, post-production overlay techniques can be used to reproduce chronophotography.

Harold Edgerton; Chronophotograph taken by Stroboscope

20

Physical Response Chapter Two

Mapping Movement Desk Movements To explore contributing factors in physical fatigue associated with home working, the subsequent mapping and articulated around desk-based objects and the bodies interactions with the desk employs time-lapse techniques and a form of motion capture, enabling clear tracking of movement and the identification of patterns. Motion capture or mo-cap uses marker tracing systems, a form of optical motion capture which can be both active or passive.

Active markers involve placing LED lights on an individual, whilst passive markers, instead of generating light are covered in a light reflective material. Other systems use markerless tracing, which does not require markers and are instead based on computer vision and pattern recognition, the camera identifying core body joints and using these to track movement (Thompson, 2020). Without access to the sophisticated technology used for mo-cap, the technique used in the subsequent experiments can be described as a simplified form of ‘marker tracing’, in which white markers have been applied to the body. Alongside ‘markerless tracing’ in which the bodies core joints have been identified and tracked through diagrams.

Beginning with the hand and computer tools; keyboard & mouse, mapping analyses this key relationship, observing the movement or lack of this during a series of average working days. Furthermore, compares this with digital mapping in which the consequential mouse movements and moments of pause are automatically recorded in computer space. Whilst lines represent the mouse movement, dots and circles around them represent the amount of time the mouse was not moving. The longer the mouse is not touched, the more the dots and circles grow in diameter. Two consecutive studies extending for 1.5 and 3 hours were undertaken, with an intermittent frame rate of 10 minutes, the sessions captured still frames of both the hand and mouse journeys. Overlayed, the physical frames produced a chronophotograph whilst the digital frames produced a drawing, brought together through videography the process enabled comparison between the physical and digital

motion. With the application of passive motion capture markers, the study revealed an increased intensity of white markers throughout the video and thus a staticity of the hands. However, the denseness of the digital drawings, illustrated that this staticity was not due to limited mouse movement but simply the nature of the activity. In turn, few large diameter dots revealed that limited to no physical breaks were taken during intense periods of study. Animated with a soundtrack which increases in tempo and intensity, this aspect of the video personifies the intensity of physical staticity and digital kineticism.

Following these studies, mapping expands beyond the scope of the hand and moves to understand the articulation of the body whilst working at the desk, capturing common actions and movements during an average working session. Using images shot with a frame rate of 8 frames per second (fps) and markerless tracing, I was able to analyse the maximum movement the body experienced during these actions. Accordingly, actions around the desk illustrated limited movement whilst the action of leaving the desk resulted in stretching the body and alignment of the joints. The subsequent study proceeded to observe the body over three hours, illustrating the average movement patterns of the body during a standard ‘desk session’. In turn, the final image shows a considerably small arc of movement, meaning the body did not particularly move whilst at the desk. When cross-referenced with the mouse movement study, patterns emerged which showed consistency to not take a physical break away from the desk and animate the body during working hours.

21

Investigating Desk Rituals ; Mapping Desk Movements

Time-Lapse Photography Rig

Object Interactions; Passive Marker Mo-Cap

Bodily Movements; Marker-less Mo-Cap

Core Body Joints

Physical Response Chapter Two

Mapping Movements Object Interactions

0 hrs

APPARATUS Laptop

Mouse

Tracking Software

Person (first person mapping)

Physical Hand/Mouse Movements

Digital Mouse Movements

Physical Hand & Digital Mouse Movements over Time

22

1.5 hrs

23

CLICK IMAGE TO ACTIVATE VIDEO - Object Interactions 01

Physical Response Chapter Two

Mapping Movements Object Interactions

0 hrs

KEY Mouse Movement

Mouse Not Moving (short period)

Mouse Not Moving (intermediate period)

Mouse Not Moving (long period)

Physical Hand/Mouse Movements (ghost extraction superimposed onto sketch)

Body Movements

Digital Mouse Movements

Physical Hand & Digital Mouse Movements over Time

24

3 hrs

25

CLICK IMAGE TO ACTIVATE VIDEO - Object Interactions 02

26

Physical Response Chapter Two 3 Hour Study

Minor pause of Mouse

Movement around laptop screen

Short Tea Break - Approx 2-5mins to make cup of tea and return to desk. Only time spent away from desk in 3 hours

27

Intensity of markers illustrates a significant Physical Staticity of hand/arm whilst at desk

28

Physical Response Chapter Two

Mapping Movements Body Actions

KEY

Opening Laptop

Drinking Tea

Pulling out Chair

Starting Pose

Maximum Movement

Movement Arc

Increased Maximum Joint Movement

Sitting Down

Getting Up

29 Mapping Movements Body Movements

KEY Maximum Joint Movement Starting Pose / Control Joint - Hip Marker-less Tracing; Joint Map

Starting Pose Maximum Joint Movement - Shoulder & Neck

Maximum Joint Movement

Movement Arc

Maximum Joint Movement - Elbow & Wrist

Maximum Joint Movement - Knee & Ankle

3 Hour Movement Study with 1 frame per 10min

30

Physical Response Chapter Two

Physical Enrichment Health Experts In response to the results revealed by the mapping, I have further explored health experts advise on desk culture and how prolonged sitting at the desk may contribute to physical fatigue. Respectively, the pain can be described as a frequent occurrence when working from home, with a common cause being prolonged sitting (Gulati & Yadav 2020). Furthermore, experts agree that staying in the same position and using the same muscles for hours at a time is not good for your back or neck. They recommend the daily engagement of flexibility and muscle strengthening exercises to help mitigate this discomfort alongside micro-breaks and rest breaks. Micro-breaks are taken regularly and are less than two minutes long. During this short

time, you can rest the hands, stand up or go for a short walk, resting and exercising different muscles. Rest breaks are slightly longer, 5-10 minutes and should be taken every hour whilst exercise should be included as part of our daily routine. Not only is it important that we try to regularly stretch our muscles during prolonged periods of work at the desk but that we move our bodies away from the computer screens to give eye muscles a chance to relax. Looking at a computer screen for extended periods causes some changes in how your eyes work, including blinking less often and exposing more of the eye surface to air (Hedge, 2019).

“With just a few minutes of motion, you can transform from tired to energized or anxious to calm” (Calm, 2020)

Regular Exercise Mapping Movement Taking the techniques learnt during the desk study and returning to post lockdown rituals, mapping has been further used to analyse movement during recommended exercise, something which I began to regularly engage with post initial lock-down. Beginning with swimming, markerless tracing has been superimposed onto stroke sketches; breaststroke and backstroke to understand how and to what degree the body moves whilst in the water. Similar to the act of ‘leaving the desk’, the mapping illustrates that both strokes move the body from the position of bend to stretch, building joint flexibility.

Furthermore, when you swim, around 90% of your body weight is supported by the water, meaning whilst in the environment the body is relatively weightless and compression around the joints is relieved (Just Swim, 2016).

Moving to look at my ‘Morning Wake-Up’ routine, a stretching sequence undertaken through daily use of ‘Calm Body’, the same mapping technique understands five of the most expansive key poses. Using myself as the subject of study, poses were shot with a frame rate of 8 frames per second (fps) and with markerless tracking, analysed to reveal movement arcs. Mapping shows a consistency to ground the hip joints and significantly move extremities, releasing tension around core joints. Comparatively, when movement arcs are analysed across the desk, swim and stretch sequences a clear pattern emerges which suggests the act of working at a desk is consistent with a staticity of the body, whilst physically enriching exercises activate the body.

“ We spend so much of our time sitting in traffic, on the subway, or at a desk in front of a screen; Movement is one of the most powerful ways to release tension” (Calm, 2020)

31 Physical Enrichment Swimming

Swimming Schedule 20

Marker-less Tracing; Joint Map

Starting Pose

Lengths

KEY Maximum Joint Movement

Stroke Style

10

Backstroke

0

Breaststroke M

Breaststroke - Movement Study

Breaststroke - Movement Map

Backstroke - Movement Study

T

W

T

F

S

Backstroke - Movement Map

S

Physical Response Chapter Two

Physical Enrichment Morning Wake Up

Stretch Schedule

5

03. Torso Turn

4 Poses

32

3 2 1 0

1

2

3

4

Calm App 02. Arm Circles

01. Spine Stretch

Calm Body - Morning Wake Up

5

Time (mins)

04. Hip Hinge

05. Hip Hinge with Leg Extension

6

7

8

33

CLICK IMAGE TO ACTIVATE VIDEO - Movement 01 Spine Stretch

CLICK IMAGE TO ACTIVATE VIDEO - Movement 03 Torso Turn

34

Physical Response Chapter Two

Mapping Movements Morning Wake Up

Spine Stretch

KEY Marker-less Tracing; Joint Map

Maximum Joint Movement/Movement Arc

Arm Circles

35 Hip Hinge

Torso Turn

Hip Hinge with Leg Extension

36

Physical Response Chapter Two

Comparing Movements Desk Routine & Enrichment

TIME

7.5hrs per day

0.5hrs x3 per week

0.25hrs per day

Maximum Joint Movement

37

BREAK’ing AWAY When looking at the enrichment activities I engage with, it’s important to return to the previously outlined routine bar chart and take note of when these activities occur. The exercise break is only incorporated into times of the day when we are not working, thus not relieving our joints regularly whilst we are sat at the desk. Health experts recommend engaging with daily exercise to strengthen flexibility and muscle endurance, something which the routine achieves, however, also recommends taking micro-breaks and rest breaks throughout the day whilst working at the desk. Mapping illustrates this is not something I presently afford myself.

The concept of not affording ourselves a break is a common occurrence amongst desk-based professionals. Furthermore, those who work from home take even fewer breaks than those in offices.

Social contact with colleagues is often a motivating factor in taking microbreaks, whilst unconscious breaks in the workplace are prompted by meetings, a walk to the coffee shop or run down to the print room (Belanger, 2020). It can be noted that many remote workers feel that they have the privilege of working from home, so feel the need to constantly be at their desk - thus deny themselves a break. Whilst others believe the act of taking the break will disrupt workflow and prioritise tasks over physical well-being. Some feel guilt and anxiety about having taken “too much” time away from the

desk whilst others do not break simply because they have nowhere enjoyable to break to (Reynolds, 2020). It is important that we understand healthy desk behaviours and afford ourselves the time to take a break. Furthermore, that working environments are enriching and encourage this, helping to energise the body throughout the day.

Time (hrs)

03

Leaving the Desk Micro Breaks & Rests

Post Initial Lock-down Routine

Activities

38

Break’ing Away Chapter Three

Enriching Breaks Adapting the Environment A key part motivating the break is having somewhere enriching we can break to; this can be done in a multitude of creative and resourceful ways. Desk culture or ‘office syndrome’, another term used to describe bodily fatigue caused by spending hours working in the same position has recently been responded to by Bangkok architects ‘Onion’. The Inteltion IT office addressed office syndrome by promoting a healthy movement of the body throughout the day. By studying stretching exercises at public parks, the practice observed stretching modes of exercise were more desirable than exercise equipment as they could be used by a range of all ages and did not stress the body. Responsively the practice proposed an office design which incorporated a series of enriching interventions that were simple, easy to build and playful. Organised by area, exercises ranged from easy to difficult, whilst detail design considered simple ways to encourage stretching (Onion, 2017).

Exemplified by Horibe Associates, physical enrichment has also notably been introduced into one of their client’s homes through means of an indoor climbing wall (2019). ‘The bouldering room adjacent to the living room, offers enjoyment both to the person training and to family members watching while they spend time together in the same space’ (Horibe Associates, 2019). Similarly, Carney Logan Burke has inventively incorporated a climbing wall on the outside of their building in Cache Creek. Comparatively the main aspect of enrichment that these examples share, and what makes them so engaging, is the concept of novelty. The experience of encountering an unfamiliar object stimulates excitement and engages users with their surroundings. Novel shapes and arrangements attract our attention and engage our minds whilst the application is very flexible, spaces ranging from slighting unique to highly unusual (Rengel, 2007).

Horibe Associates - House in Tsukawaki

Carney Logan Burke - Cache Creek Residence

Health experts recommend the daily engagement of flexibility and muscle strengthening exercises to help mitigate physical discomfort associated with sitting at the desk alongside taking regular micro-breaks and rest breaks (Paraphrased by Hedge, 2019).

39

Onion - Inteltion Office

40

Thesis Methodology Chapter Four

THESIS METHODOLOGY

04

Domestic Kineticism Proposal

Without access to an educational environment, the pandemic inherently resulted in my workspace being relocated to the domestic home. Although the change was not without its difficulties the opportunity enabled me to take part the mass home working experiment which incidentally challenged my current thoughts on home working and inspired this year’s thesis. The experience has enabled me to better understand the body and challenged my thoughts on whether domestic environments are meeting our physical needs.

With the conclusions drawn from the movement mapping and the advice highlighted by health experts, it can be noted that the physical fatigue I regularly experience can be, at least in part, attributed to prolonged sitting at the desk and a poor break culture.

Although my post lockdown exercise rituals have played a key role in helping to alleviate bodily fatigue, it is important to note that this form of breaking is incorporated into non-working hours, thus not relieving joints for the majority of the day. Micro and rest breaks are something few of us afford ourselves, however, are an important part of maintaining physical balance. As we transition a toward home working economy it is increasingly important for those who are a part of this movement to consider the time spent at desks and the direct impact this has on our bodies.

With many professionals and large companies announcing long terms plans to adopt home working practices, we can likely assume that for many of us the workplace may no longer be considered immediately separate from the home. In response to this, the proposal aspect as of this thesis has primarily focussed on development of the ‘kinetic tool-kit’. In recognising static desk culture, the tool-kit seeks to extend and augment the domestic environment through a series of analogue interventions. The interventions, operated through human interaction, engage core body joints and encourage a variety of stretching movements. Novel and fun, the tool-kit interventions, which are subtly integrated throughout the domestic home help those working from home to combat office syndrome and regularly energise the body.

Generally independent from the building structure, the tool-kit has been designed with the notion that the interventions could be incorporated into a variety of existing domestic environments.

41

Kinetic Tool-Kit - Conceptual Collage

Tensile Nets, Inflatables & Soft Spaces

Climbing Scaffold

Varying Level Changes & Tiered Design

Variable Work Surfaces

Examples of Kinetic Interventions Bounce

Lay

Crawl/Roll

Hang/Swing

Reach/Stretch

Climb

Push/Pull

Jump

Step

Kneel

Squat

Sit

Stand

Ankle/Foot

Knee

Hip

Spine

Wrist/Hand

Elbow

Shoulder

Neck

42 Thesis Methodology Chapter Four

Balancing the Body Core Joints & Movements

Core Body Joints

Core Movements to Stretch Joints

43

Kinetic Interventions - Precedent Collage

44

Thesis Methodology Chapter Four

Translating Movement Key Elements of Analogue Enrichment

01

Stand / Sit / Squat / Kneel

02

Work spaces provide work surfaces at variable heights alongside seating options - seating suitable for task.

03

Reach / Stretch / Push /Pull / Swing / Hang Access to work station via climbing scaffold which engages upper and lower body in strength & stability

Step / Jump / Climb

Movement between spaces utilises level changes to challenge balance, co-ordination and flexibility

04

Crawl / Roll / Lay / Bounce

Tensile nets/ bouncing surfaces & rest spaces engage the body with balance, co-ordination & relaxation

45 Concept Sketches Kinetic Interventions Seat Stretch

Timer operated motorised pulley

Swing Seat

Iron weights connected to rope pulley

Indoor swing seat

Arm/wrist connection

Sitting Position

Core Joints Stretched

Standing Position (spine stretch)

Stationary Position

Swinging Position (leg/arm extension)

Timer operated motorised pulley; weights are connected to arms and drop every 30 mins encouraging us to spine stretch - hold for 30 sec

Swinging motion encourages leg, arm extension and hip hinge whilst being novel and fun

Alarm/Tune plays tune every hour, reminding us to take a rest break away from the desk(5-10mins).

Swing seat can be used whilst taking a short break - tv/ radio/phone call

Core Joints Stretched

46

Thesis Methodology Chapter Four

Concept Sketches Kinetic Interventions Bouncing Surface

Height Incremented Staircase

Inflatable or sprung floor surface

Continuous standard riser (200mm)

Bending Position

Bouncing Position (Full Body)

Standard Stair Climb

Steepened Stair Climb (low intensity)

Staircase increases in tred depth and riser height (intervention would need to be in addition to standard staircase)

Small unused floor spaces could be made into bouncing surfaces.

Trampolining like motions stretch and strengthen the body.

Steeper stairs encourages light climbing - more variation what is usually a monotonous movement

Buoyant surface is also relaxing to lay down on and rest.

Core Joints Stretched

Steady increase in riser height (50-400mm)

Core Joints Stretched

47 Concept Sketches Kinetic Interventions Tensile Net Tensile nets for resting and walking - improves balance

Climbing Scaffold Tensile nets for climbing; pulling self between levels

Balanced Position

Core Joints Stretched

Pulling Position (medium intensity)

Tuck Position

Pulling Position (high intensity)

Tensile nets encourages medium climbing increased joint articulation to steeped stair climb

External Scafold/climbing frame encourages heavy climbing - increased joint articulation to steeped stair climb & tensile nets

Tensile nets could also be used in stead of solid floors in select places - fun place to relax. Also provides social connection through various levels of home.

Outdoor activities encourages us to leave the house and get fresh air Important that enrichment is internal and external Core Joints Stretched

48

Kinetic Tool-Kit Chapter Five

KINETIC TOOL - KIT

05

Kinetic Interventions Energising the Domestic Environment

The tools, which make up the collective kit have been considerately designed across a variety of spaces, both within and outside of the domestic home. Drawing on the concept of novelty, the ‘tools’ prompt exciting experiences and create an enriching environment that connects users more notably with their surroundings – both visually and physically. By subtly adapting simple activities to require physical ‘action’ or ‘effort’, the tools seek to subconsciously engage users core joints. In turn, promote frequent breaks throughout the day to combat bodily fatigue and energise the body, cumulatively encouraging a healthier live-work balance. Additional features such as adjustable positioning and scale have been thoughtfully considered to promote spatial flexibility throughout the home.

Whilst exposing tool-kit’s kineticism; mechanisms and dynamics has aspired to produce interventions which are poetically in tune with the physical movements required to operate them. Considered a ‘startup’ pack the tool-kit is collectively composed of six key interventions which look to adapt storage, workspaces, recreational activities and how we journey throughout the home.

“ Stay at Home > Enrich Your Environment > Improve Your Life ” (Aspiring Architect -Elle-May Simmonds, 2020)

Hand Operated Elevator Inspired by the Otis Invalid Lift (1920), this ancestor of the modernday elevator was one of the earliest forms of vertical travel within architecture. The Hand Operated Elevator uses pulleys and counterweight systems to transport users throughout the home.

Attached to a large spur wheel users continuously pull hand ropes whilst a balanced but adjustable counterweight controls the exertion required to move the car.

49 Traversing Desk Working within an office space which doubles as a household walk in wardrobe, my present working environment can be described as relatively small and cluttered. Incidentally when I wish to engage with activities such as Morning Calm, photography or painting the present workspace must be packed away and moved in order to enable this change. Keen to create a workspace that can more easily accommodate a variety of activities the ‘Traversing Desk’ can easily be moved along the vertical plain through operating an oversized turning wheel. Connected to a series of pulleys, the desk can be positioned toward the ceiling for a clear floor space or to a standing position to provide an alternative work posture. Furthermore, the office space utilises external wall cavities to accommodate storage and seating, minimizing the impact on the rooms internal area.

Pocket Staircase Coined the Pocket Staircase, this tool enhances the repetitive action of walking up and down the stairs. Capitalising on this frequent occurrence, this tool adapts the humble staircase from a standard, steady riser to one which gradually increases in height – encouraging greater bending of the knees. Additionally, the ground floor staircase accommodates under stair bookshelves and retractable storage compartments. To comply with building regulations, a pocket staircase, with standard risers, can be pulled out from underneath the main staircase. Connected to a telescopic balustrade this enables continual compliance with current UK safety regulations.

Retractable Swing Drawing on a children’s swing set, the Retractable Swing provides a novel form of seating which encourages the taking of short micro breaks, moving the body away from the desk and energising the body. Similar to the Traversing Desk, the Retractable Swing can easily be moved along the vertical plain through operating an oversized turning wheel. Connected to a series of pulleys, the swing can be dropped to a variety of heights to best accommodate the user.

50

Kinetic Tool-Kit Chapter Five Scramble Wall Looking to make use of the domestic exterior, an aspect generally clad for the purpose of aesthetics, the Scramble Wall is in a part a façade mounted climbing wall. Whilst an additional self-supporting structure provides a cargo net with tensile net seating. The climbing frame is additionally accessible from within the building itself, providing a space to relax and further means of travel to the ground floor. The timber structure also provides a framework in which an outdoor Retractable Swing seat and sofa can be mounted, alongside a visually stimulating vertical garden composed of climber plants (e.g., Ivy, Virginia Creeper or Wisteria).

Endless Pool With experiencing bodily fatigue during the initial lockdown, one of the ways I was able to alleviate this was through regular swimming.

Stretching the body and improving flexibility, this form of exercise notably helps relieve symptoms of joint paint. Subsequently, this form of physical enrichment was unfortunately lost during future lockdowns. In response, it was important to me that the tool-kit provide a way to swim within the home. The endless pool, which accommodates dual occupancy, is equipped with an adjustable propulsion jet, creating a current and enabling users to swim endlessly. Furthermore, the pool cover, works through using a simple rope pull. Equip with a snap hook, the rope is attached to the pool cover and pulled into the ‘close’ position. The cover spindle, further incorporates a clock spring which is equally balanced to the cover weight, enabling easier manual retraction. Whilst perimeter guide rails keep the cover in place and ensure bidirectional movement.

51 Kinetic Tool-Kit Enriching Domestic Kineticism

Hand Operated Elevator

Traversing Desk

Retractable Swing Seat

Scramble Wall

Pocket Staircase

Endless Pool

52

Kinetic Tool-Kit Chapter Five

Hand Operated Elevator Enriching Vertical Transitions Pulley/Gear Mechanism Spur Wheel; leather lined to reduce noise

Hand Rope; Italian hemp Person Car; with duel opening swing gates Connection Bracket; controlled by foot operated safety break pedal

Guide Rails

Counterweight; adjustable

Hand Rope Pocket Base pad CLICK IMAGE TO ACTIVATE VIDEO - Hand Operated Elevator

53 Traversing Desk Enriching & Flexible Work Space

Hand Operated Oversized Crank (with retractable handle) - Hand Crank Lowers & Raises Desk

High Level Cupboard Handles

Height Adjustable Work Station

54

Kinetic Tool-Kit Chapter Five

Traversing Desk Flexibility & Multipurpose Space

Retractable Desk (up position)

Yoga Matt for Stretching Sequence

Retractable Work Station (flexible studio space)

High Level Cupboard Handles Storage Compartment Build into Cavity Wall Retractable Desk (standing position) Hand Operated Oversized Crank (with retractable handle)

Storage Built into Wall Cavity

Retractable Desk (down position)

Fold Away Chair

Fold Away Chair

55 Traversing Desk Desk Mechanism

Single Pulley Double Pulley

Retractable Desk (up position)

Single Pulley

Cable

Retractable Crank Handle

Hand Operated Oversized Crank (1000mm Diameter)

Double Pulley

Retractable Desk (down position)

Pull OutTable Legs

Pull Out Table Legs (ensures desk stability)

56

Kinetic Tool-Kit Chapter Five

CLICK IMAGE TO ACTIVATE VIDEO - Traversing Desk

57 Pocket Stair Enriching Floor Levels Telescopic Regulatory Pocket Stair & Balustrade 200 > 200 > 200 > 200 > 200 > 200mm

Height Incremented Stair Case 250 > 325 > 375 > 425mm

Under Stair Bookcase/ Storage Shelving

Retractable Storage under Mezzanine Level

58

Kinetic House Chapter Six

Pocket Stair Pocket Mechanism

Height Incremented Staircase 250 > 325 > 375 > 425mm

Under stair bookcase/shelving storage

Under stair Bookcase/ Storage Shelving Retractable Storage under Mezzanine

Telescopic Regulatory Pocket Stair & Balustrade 200 > 200 > 200 > 200 > 200 > 200mm

Telescopic Balustrade

Floor inset Guide Rail with break/lock controls Guide Rail Connected to Spherical Bearings

Spherical Bearing Bracket Fixed to back of Pocket Stair (enables lateral movement)

59 Retractable Swing Enriching Seating

Height Adjustable Swing (accommodating various persons)

Hand Operated Oversized Crank (with retractable handle) - Hand Crank Lowers & Raises Swing

Swinging/Pendulum Motion

60

Kinetic Tool-Kit Chapter Five

Retractable Swing Flexibility & Multipurpose Space

Timber Frame with Webbed Timber Joists

Swing Cord Cable Drums (drums fixed to U/S of joist)

Retractable Swing Seat (flexible seating)

4 Way Roller Fairlead (enables swing to remain straight) Retractable Swing (up position)

Cable Drum - duel cable capacity for two swing ropes

Retractable Swing (down position) Hand Operated Oversized Crank (with retractable handle)

Hand Operated Oversized Crank

61 Retractable Swing Swing Mechanism

Cable Drum Bevel Gear 4 Way Roller Fairlead (cable feeds through roller guide to ensure straight cable - fixed to U/S of drum bracket)

Spherical Bearing Bracket

Drive Shaft

Spherical Bearing Bracket (secures drive shaft to wall whilst enabling spherical movement) Retractable Crank Handle

Bevel Gear (enables bi-directional orientation of drive shift)

Hand Operated Oversized Crank (1000mm Diameter)

Retractable Swing

4 Way Roller Fairlead (ensures straight cable)

62

Kinetic Tool-Kit Chapter Five

CLICK IMAGE TO ACTIVATE VIDEO - Retractable Swing

63 Scramble Wall Outdoor Enrichment

Climbing Wall

Cargo Net Terrace

Retractable Outdoor Swing Seat

Cargo Net Climbing Wall

Sliding Draw Storage (garden tools/climbing safety gear etc.)

64

Kinetic Tool-Kit Chapter Five

Scramble Wall Climbable Walls & Flexible outdoor seating Sloped Plant Pergola

Sloped Glass Roof (climbing cover) Harness Pulley Climbing Wall & Cargo Net Terrace

Climbing Wall Cargo Net Terrace

Cargo Net Climbing Wall

Retractable Outdoor Swing Seat

Harness Pulley (fixed beneath sloped roof/ pergola)

Sliding Draw Storage (garden tools/climbing safety gear etc.)

Self Supporting Timber Structure

Sliding Draw Storage & Retractable Outdoor Swing Seat

65 Endless Pool Physical Enrichment - Swimming

Rope Pull with Snap Hook (attached to cover ring for manual retraction)

Attachment Point for Rope Snap Hook

Pivot Door

Duel Propulsion Endless Swimming Pool(accommodates x2 swimmers)

Pool Cover (cover roll stored beneath ground level)

Rope Pull Operated Manual Pool Cover

66

Kinetic Tool-Kit Chapter Five

Endless Pool Flexible Garden with Duel Swimming Capacity

Below Ground Pool Cover Reel

Endless Pool with Manually Operated Retractable Cover

Rope Pull with Snap Hook (attached to cover ring whilst retracting)

Pivot Door

Duel Propulsion Endless Pool (enables two persons to swim) Manually Operated Retractable Pool Cover

Pivot Door (access from home to outdoor space)

67 Endless Pool Pool Mechanism Floating Skimmer (filter water) Propulsion Jet (creates current for endless swimming) Filter Return Perimeter Pool Seating

Propulsion Jet

Rope Pull with Snap Hook (attached to cover ring whilst retracting) Guide Rails (cover retracts within guide rails to enable bidirectional movement) Below Ground Pool Cover Reel

Rope Pull with Snap Hook (attached to cover ring whilst retracting)

Below Ground Endless Pool Clock Spring Spinal (clock spring mechanism contained inside cover spinal. Spring is equally balanced to cover weight; enabling manual retraction)

Manually Operated Pool Cover

68

Kinetic Tool-Kit Chapter Five

Kinetic Pallet Range of Toolkit Movements

69

KINETIC HOME

06

Contextualising the Tool-Kit Enriching the Future

In recognising static desk culture, the tool-kit seeks to extend and augment the domestic environment through a series of analogue interventions. Contextualised schematically within my existing home, mechanisms have been isolated and overlayed onto architectural plans, demonstrating how they may fit into the present home environment. Furthermore, the tool-kit has more notably been arranged within a reimaged version of my own home. Alluded to in the previous chapter, this design draws inspiration from the homes present spatial arrangement and has been created using a 4m2 structural grid, approximately the size of the household bedrooms.

In turn, the design looks to more comfortably accommodate a complete start-up tool-kit and create more notable separation between live and workspaces, demarcating blurred boundaries.

This reimagined design can be considered an outline proposal for future research, in which the kinetic tool-kit is housed within a kinetic home, a more deep-seated concept which looks to further embed kineticism into building fabric.

In constructing this kinetic home the primary material has been outlined as glue laminated timber. Proposed due to the materials strength, small sections of glulam timber have comparable load bearing capacity to steel, meaning the overall primary structure is smaller and lighter than traditional timber. In turn, the timbers strength enables load bearing interventions, such as the Retractable

Swing to be fully supported. Whilst webbed joists enable the channelling of kinetic components and the timber material gives users the ability to easily mount future kinetic systems and continually enrich their homes.

Similar to the tool-kit, the timber structure of the kinetic home is equally internally exposed. With this, great consideration has been placed on detail design. With early mapping focussing on the movement of body joints, creation of bespoke steel connection joints bring together beams and columns whilst simultaneously creating synergy with earlier studies associated with the body, evoking the ethos of the thesis within the building fabric.

Kinetic House Chapter Six

Live-Work Schematic Architectural Organisation

Central Core CNS = Connects all aspects

WORK

SLEEP

LIVE

Mobile External Extremities EAT

BODY MOVEMENTS

CORE BODILY ASPECTS

Mind = Pinnacle of home; work/sleep Heart = Heart of home; living space Stomach = Grounding the home; eat/dine Extremities = Movement around the home; physical enrichment

CENTRAL NERVOUS

ARCHITECTURAL

SYSTEM

ORGANISATION

Architectural organisation takes precedence from bodily organisation.

Connective network houses enriching/kinetic activities around the home

Enriching Connective Network

70

71 Personal Home Site Location 01.

02.

Entry from Road

01.

View from Front of House

03.

04.

02.

Outlook onto Golf Course

Entry from Golf Course

03.

View from Back of House

04.

72

Kinetic House Chapter Six

Schematic Plans Ground Floor (current home)

73 Schematic Plans First Floor (current home)

74

Kinetic House Chapter Six

Schematic Plans Ground Floor & First Floor Mezzanine (future proposal)

75 Schematic Plans Second Floor & Third Floor Mezzanine (future proposal)

76

Kinetic Tool-Kit Chapter Five

Schematic Comparison Ground Floor & First Floor Mezzanine

77 Schematic Comparison Second Floor & Third Floor Mezzanine

78

Kinetic House Chapter Six

Timber Construction Glulam Structural Frame with Bespoke Steel Connecting Joints

Bespoke Steel Elbow - Four Point Connection Joint

Bespoke Steel Connection Joint (reminiscent of body joints) Webbed Timber Joists Internally Exposed Glulam Timber Frame on 4x4m structural grid

Bespoke Steel Elbow - Corner Connection Joint

Ground Bearing Concrete Foundation

Webbed Joists Mounted on Joist Hangers(allow mechanisms to channel through)

79 Kinetic Home Tool Kit Augmentation

Scramble Wall & Endless Pool

Transversing Desk

80

Kinetic House Chapter Six

Kinetic Home Stair/Lift Core

81 Kinetic Home South External Axonometric

82

SUMMARY Although the word pandemic can be associated with many negative emotions and circumstances, it is important we try to see opportunity when faced with adversity. Whilst the continual restrictions have been challenging, resulting in the emptying of all but essential environments, the concept of ‘stay home’ has allowed many of us to participate in a mass home working experiment which has enabled us to better understand how working from home may affect specific aspects of our lives, thus reforming perspectives. With continual restrictions being imposed on the UK almost a year beyond the pandemic’s origin and many companies announcing long terms plan to adopt home working we can likely assume that this form of flexible working is likely to remain a significant part of our economy.

For many of us, the workplace or educational environment may no longer be considered immediately separate from the home. With this economic shift, it is important that we look at how our bodies are transforming in their newfound interiority and question whether our at-home workspaces need to adapt to better accommodate the body and adopt motions of our life previously shared by a variety of environments.

In recognising static desk culture, the kinetic tool-kit draws on the concept of novelty to extend and augment the domestic environment through a series of analogue interventions. The ‘tools’ prompt exciting experiences and create an enriching environment that connects users more notably with their surroundings – both visually and physically. By subtly adapting simple activities to require physical ‘action’ or ‘effort’, the tools seek to subconsciously engage users core joints. In turn, promote frequent breaks throughout the day to combat bodily fatigue and energise the body, cumulatively encouraging a healthier live-work balance. Contextualised arranged within a reimaged version of my own home this outline proposal highlights further future prospects of the research, in which the kinetic tool-kit is housed within a kinetic home, a more deep-seated concept which looks to further embed kineticism into building fabric.

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