arCHitECturE as intErfaCE (^) | 303
Action: what action can a system initiate based on insight?
In addition to Communication, a myriad of Actions could be inte-
grated into a system of cause and effect. Such actions might impact
the space in which a condition is being observed. For example, an
unexpected light might be analyzed and found to produce excess
heat in a space, which would call for draperies to be repositioned,
or for a cooling system to be engaged.
Feedback: how can we assess the impact and learn from action?
Ultimately, the detection, analysis, and action loop reaches a
point where Feedback at a systemic scale becomes useful. After
prolonged observation and analysis, assessment might deter-
mine a pattern of lights going on and off during certain periods.
Appropriate judgments could be made and actions taken, based on
this more holistic assessment. Ongoing assessment and prolonged
interaction would improve decision making and suggest the most
appropriate actions so that the space could reach an ideal environ-
mental state.
Recollection: how can we retain knowledge for later access?
As the system proceeds through cycles of interaction, there will
be value in maintaining a record of observations and changes.
Storing the details and organizing the data into patterns provides a
resource that can be tapped to improve the intelligence and perfor-
mance of the overall system as it evolves.
Spheres of Inquiry
Across all modes of interaction, three spheres of inquiry describe the
different objectives that we have for understanding or transforming the
world through physical or human systems. As developers and design-
ers of tools, inspecting the opportunities through the lens of objectives
helps to suggest the prominent marketplace for tools based on inter-
connected environments (see Figure 13 - 3 ).
- Environmental: how can we optimize and minimize use of
resources to produce ideal conditions by combining data gathered
through monitoring with external data sources?