Social Sensory Architecture explores the design of multi-sensory environments that engage children's creativity for fine/gross motor activities in order to facilitate social interaction.

Orchid is part of an on-going research project designing technology-embedded multi-sensory environments. Learn about the three other playscapes that will be on display at KANEKO.

Orchid is sponsored by The Fred and Eve Simon Charitable Fund and Omaha Steaks.

The research explores the design of multi-sensory environments that engage children's creativity for fine/gross motor activities in order to facilitate social interaction.

Through the use of advanced textile design, sensing technology, and bespoke software, elaborate textile landscapes are transformed into physically, visually, and sonically interactive environments. The research was spurred initially by Ahlquist’s experiences with his daughter Ara, discovering how environment can play a critical role in helping her to overcome aspects of her autism, including being non-verbal, to express herself as a social and creative individual.

In combining, muting, and magnifying aspects of the sensory experience, individuals with autism may experience a sense of agency, often lacking in the highly structured world that a child with autism is presented with.

At Millwork Commons, guests can interact with Orchid and narrate their own manner of play.

Sensory Notes

Physically, visually, and sonically interactive textile environments with sensing technology.

Artists

Sean Ahlquist, University of Michigan