Walk of Life
Inflatable meditation environment

The project is done to explore technology systems in the iteration of design and spatial ideas. Within the CICCIO setting, the labyrinth is interpreted with a new spatial approach, which allows the users to meditate in an inflatable environment. The specific interactive systems would allow the user to have a more intimate spiritual journey within himself and as the path is brightened up while the user walks, it can help user to concentrate on his own path and enhance the meditation effect. While the user walks, a single pitch of sound is generated for each step he moves, the overlapping of sound creates beautiful and tranquil music to the user. Environment is the inflatable structure named as CICCIO, which is spherical with 3ms in diameter. The original space should be a spherical inflatable with 10 ms, but because of the time and economical constraints, we chose to prototype our project in 3ms Ciccio. The structure is solely made in translucent fabric. There is no construction beams or columns inside. Inside the CICCIO, there is almost nothing but a layer on the floor with LEDs and sensors. There are no extra lights inside, however, the light through the translucent CICCIO will be enough to let users to see. Ideally, electronics are hidden under the CICCIO so that they are almost visible.
Once user steps inside, LEDs are lit up as he walks: when he steps up, they go dimmer. And with each step he walks, the sound is generated. Through the guiding path, the user will reach the central point, where he sees the light that would change the brightness in respond to the time he stays in CICCIO.

Faculty
Stefano Mirti
Walter Aprile
JanChristoph Zoels
Brita Boland