BREATHING CLOUDS

BREATHING CLOUDS is an innovative outdoor interactive space design. The project explores novel social interaction models for the elderly during the pandemic, integrating advanced technology with a flexible boundary system to enhance urban green space utilization and provide a safe, healthy environment for elderly communities.

The space is organized by a circular grid system, adaptable to various site conditions, allowing users to enter freely from multiple points and gather around a central public playground. Private zones are placed at the periphery to minimize contact with the main crowd, ensuring a degree of privacy.

The design’s primary innovation is its reconfigurable flexible boundary system, utilizing three sliding panels (microalgae filtration, interactive screens, and soundproof panels) to enable three functional modes: Private Mode (7–11 a.m.): Soundproof panels create enclosed units for solitary walks or meditation. Semi-Public Mode (12–3 p.m.): Microalgae panels form transparent partitions, with interactive screens displaying news and entertainment. Public Mode (3–9 p.m.): Panels fully retract, transforming the central plaza into a collective activity space, with LED ground projections showing real-time crowd density. Additionally, a light-responsive ceiling membrane adjusts brightness based on sunlight intensity. UVC radiation lamps disinfect the space after use. Embedded panel lighting tracks user movements to indicate space usage, while the ceiling membrane’s transparency adapts to user preferences. Social distancing is supported by ground-projected arrows and pressure-sensitive tiles. Microalgae panels, embedded with chlorella for photosynthesis, absorb CO₂ and release negative oxygen ions. Users can engage in algae cultivation by injecting fresh algae liquid into side tanks, fostering interactive engagement.

This design, balancing rigorous epidemic prevention with humanistic warmth, may serve as a crucial model for urban renewal in the post-pandemic era.