The Primacy of Movement: Why Digital Design Needs Physical Engagement

In an era dominated by technological advancements, the allure of digital design in architecture and landscape architecture is undeniable. Sophisticated software allows designers to create intricate, precise, and visually stunning representations of spaces. However, while these tools offer remarkable capabilities, they often overlook a crucial element: the physical engagement of the designer with the space. I believe it a fundamental necessity, incorporating physical engagement in the design process, to create truly immersive and dynamic landscapes.

Digital design tools are powerful, and with the integration of intelligence capabilities, are unlocking tremendous opportunities for expanding our collective toolkit. As yet, they appear to lack the ability to fully capture and convey the physical and sensory experiences of a space. Consequently, they are falling short of creating landscapes that are truly engaging and responsive to human movement and interaction. To overcome this limitation, we must incorporate physical engagement into our design process, using our bodies as instruments to choreograph space and enhance the sensory richness of their designs.

The Allure of Digital Design

Digital design tools have revolutionized the field of landscape architecture. Software such as Revit, AutoCAD, and Unreal Engine enables designers to produce highly detailed and accurate representations of their ideas. These tools allow for easy manipulation of forms, precise measurements, and the ability to visualize projects in three dimensions. Additionally, digital design facilitates collaboration, as files can be shared and edited in real time and by multiple stakeholders, streamlining the design process.

Despite these advantages, visual aesthetics remain emphasized at the expense of our other sensory experiences. Most design awards continue reinforce this with a promotional focus on the "primacy of eye", leading to designs that are visually striking but fail to engage users on a deeper, more embodied level. This limitation becomes particularly evident when considering the role of movement and physical interaction in shaping our experience of space and, ultimately, the design of the social infrastructure that will facilitate our resiliency.

The Importance of Embodied Learning

Embodied learning, a concept explored in depth by the author of "Choreographing Space: The Enhancement of Architecture Through Dance," highlights the importance of considering the physical body in architectural design. This approach emphasizes the need for spaces that engage the body actively, moving beyond static, visually-driven designs to create environments that are dynamic and responsive to human movement.

The concept of "movement topology," which considers the ways in which bodies navigate and interact with space, is crucial in this context. I find this particularly relatable given one of our most fundamental tools for shaping space - topography. By understanding how people move through and experience a landscape, designers can create spaces that are not only visually appealing but also physically engaging and inviting. Sadly, I have observed this skill being given away to other consultants or poorly understood and too often realized during construction when it is too late to rectify. It is imperative that we attune ourselves in the professional environment and train ourselves in the academic environment. Here again, a shortcoming too often seen in today's graduate and post-graduate Architecture education.

Leap Vehicles and Spatio-Temporal Art Forms

Dance, as discussed in "Choreographing Space," is a powerful "leap vehicle" for architectural design, providing insights into the fluidity and dynamism of human movement. Other spatio-temporal art forms, such as theater, performance art, and even martial arts, can similarly inform the design process. These disciplines emphasize the choreography of movement, the use of space, and the interaction between the body and its environment, offering valuable perspectives for landscape architects also.

For instance, theater directors and choreographers possess exceptional spatial awareness, understanding how to manipulate space and movement to evoke specific emotions and responses from the audience. Music and sound installation art use auditory elements to create immersive experiences that occupy and transform physical spaces, engaging listeners over time. While some of these art forms may keep me up well past bed time, and amidst a crowd that is easily half my age, I find such experiences immensely powerful in my abilities and success at work. This awareness can be harnessed in architectural design to create spaces that are not only functional but also emotionally resonant and engaging.

Developing Spatial Awareness

Spatial awareness is a critical skill for architects and designers, enabling them to understand and manipulate space in ways that enhance user experience. This skill can be developed through a combination of inherent aptitude and learned experience. While some individuals may possess a natural talent for spatial awareness, it can also be cultivated through other practices.

• Physical Engagement: Spending time in different environments, observing how spaces function, and physically interacting with them can enhance spatial awareness. World travel is great for this. This hands-on approach allows designers to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the body and space, and across cultures.
• Artistic Training: Engaging in spatio-temporal art forms like dance, theater, martial arts, or sport can help designers develop a keen sense of movement and spatial dynamics. These practices train individuals to think in terms of space and movement, fostering a more holistic approach to design.
• Collaborative Projects: Working with professionals from other disciplines, such as dancers or choreographers, or sound engineers can provide architects with new perspectives on spatial design. These collaborations encourage the exchange of ideas and techniques, enriching the design process.

Incorporating Physical Engagement in Design

To move beyond mere inspiration and truly prioritize the body and its senses in design, architects can incorporate several strategies:

• Site Visits and Fieldwork: Regularly visiting the site and engaging with it physically allows designers to understand the nuances of the landscape and how users interact with it. In my opinion, this direct experience is not optional for any colleague and is critical to inform design decisions and ensure that spaces are both functional and engaging.
• User-Centered Design: Involving users in the design process through workshops, un-conventional surveys, and physical prototypes can provide valuable insights into how spaces are used and experienced. This approach ensures that designs are responsive to the needs and preferences of users.
• Sensory Mapping: Creating sensory maps that document the sounds, smells, textures, and movements within a space can help designers consider the full range of sensory experiences in their work. This technique encourages a multi-sensory approach to design, moving beyond visual aesthetics to create richer, more engaging environments.

Integrating Physical and Mental Training

While I am forever grateful to have a sister, Erin, that continues to shape my pursuit of optimal physical performance and development of peak spatial awareness, I'd be remiss not to share a few of the authors and experts that hold a prominent space on my (physical) bookshelf. Tim Ferriss, Kelly and Juliet Starrett, Dr. Peter Attia, and the writings of Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz in "The Power of Full Engagement" emphasize the importance of physical prowess and mental training. Their work underscores how regular physical engagement enhances not only bodily fitness but also mental acuity and spatial awareness. For designers, this means incorporating habits that foster both physical and cognitive health, ultimately leading to more insightful and responsive design work.

Tim Ferriss: A curious mind on steroids - advocates for a lifestyle of constant learning and experimentation, often emphasizing physical challenges as a way to push boundaries and enhance creativity. Ferriss's approach to learning and physical challenges can inspire designers to step out of their comfort zones, engaging with spaces in new and unexpected ways that enrich their spatial awareness and creativity.

Kelly and Juliet Starrett: Through their work on mobility and functional movement, highlight how understanding the body's mechanics can improve our overall performance and awareness. The Starrett's emphasis on mobility and functional movement can help designers appreciate the importance of the body's mechanics in navigating and experiencing space, leading to designs that are more responsive to the needs and movements of their users.

Dr. Peter Attia: Focuses on longevity and physical health, providing insights into maintaining peak performance over a long career. Attia's insights into maintaining peak physical health can help designers sustain their physical engagement with spaces they aspire to create, ensuring that their spatial awareness and design abilities remain sharp throughout their careers.

Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz: Their concept of "full engagement" ties physical health directly to productivity and creativity. Loehr and Schwartz's concept of "full engagement" emphasizes the interconnectedness of physical health, productivity, and creativity, suggesting that maintaining physical health can enhance a designer's creative and spatial abilities, leading to more effective and innovative design solutions.

Closing Thoughts

While digital design tools offer remarkable capabilities, they are inherently limited in their ability to capture the full range of sensory and physical experiences that define our interaction with space. To create landscapes that are truly engaging and dynamic, designers must incorporate physical engagement into their process. By using our bodies as instruments to choreograph space, we can move beyond the "primacy of eye" and create environments that are not only visually stunning but also rich in the sensory and physical experiences our bodies seek, even demand with a negatively correlated culture of sedentariness.

The future of landscape architecture lies in the integration of digital and physical engagement, harnessing the strengths of both approaches to create spaces that inspire, engage, and delight, and promote (health). As we continue to explore the potential of these tools, it is essential to remember the value of the human body as a vital instrument in the design process, capable of transforming our understanding and experience of the built environment.

References

"Embodied Interaction in Landscape Architecture." UCL, 2014. https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1463294/

"Choreographing Space: The Enhancement of Architecture Through Dance." Connecticut College, 2024. https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1059&context=archstudintproj

Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. "The Benefits of Embodied Learning." 2023.

Ferriss, Tim. The 4-Hour Body. Crown Publishing, 2010.

Starrett, Kelly, and Juliet Starrett. Becoming a Supple Leopard. Victory Belt Publishing, 2013.

Attia, Peter. The Peter Attia Drive [Podcast].

Loehr, Jim, and Tony Schwartz. The Power of Full Engagement. Free Press, 2003.