Outside_in

Author

Zixuan ZhangFollow

Date of Award

Spring 6-1-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Industrial Design

Department

Industrial Design

First Advisor

Ayako Takase

Second Advisor

Trevor Herman Hilker

Third Advisor

Danlei Huang

Abstract

In the post-COVID era, the importance of maintaining a connection with the external environment has become even more prominent. Outside_in is a series of ongoing installations located at the openings of modern buildings (spaces in between the interior and exterior) that can connect with or receive climatic resources such as wind, rainwater, sunlight, and more. Its purpose is to rethink and challenge how we can enhance the relationship with and awareness of climate and nature in our future indoor spaces through innovative experiential methods. This approach prioritizes the use of natural materials, supplemented by modern materials, and emphasizes the empathic experience with the external environment rather than the traditional functional conversion and utilization of natural energy. Although there is potential for extended functionality, it is not the focus at this stage. Outside_in emphasizes the continuity and long-term nature of the connection with natural experiences, aiming to integrate with buildings over the long term, becoming a part of the architecture, thereby ensuring the sustainability of the experience and a more comprehensive and long-term awareness of climate change.

Recommended Citation

Zhang, Zixuan, "Outside_in" (2024). Masters Theses. 1338.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/1338

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.