Exploring the Boundaries of Spatial Intelligence Based on

Exploring the Boundaries of Spatial Intelligence Based on my study of use of mind’s eye in design By Uday Athavankar Boundaries of spatial intelligence

1 • Bit about my background § I am an architect and a designer § I plan to present my views as a person who enjoys taking decisions that affect 3 D space • I earn my bread doing this • I am in minority here § Not a scientist like you. I plan to present my ‘views’ …. Some of the views have been developed based on my research on the act of design 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 2

Structure of presentation Part I § Architect’s interpretation of spatial Intelligence Part II § Lot of professions deal with spatial issues and learn on the job § Can you systematically develop competence to handle spatial manipulations, but not on the job? 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 3

1 § Quality of built form depends on how creators handle and manage spatial issues • Relationships of function X & Y : proximity • Access to spaces, sequences of spaces …. • Reduction of distance traveled • What should the object look like • … I assume that such actions need ‘spatial intelligence’ 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 4

2 § Managing spatial issues is associated with vigorous sketching “ It is difficult to stop architects and designers from sketching ” 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 5

2 On the other hand § Anecdote of how the famous falling water was designed by FLW in his mind’s eye § Story or reality? FLW 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 6

§ Part 1 is based on my work on how architects solve spatial problems when blind folded § I have been trying to learn from the visualization strategies that the architects use to tackle spatial issues when blindfolded § My efforts to explore the boundaries must be seen in this context 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 7

Working definition § Spatial intelligence is purpose driven manipulation of • Location, • Orientation and • Other space related matters Focusing on exploring the boundaries § Architects seem to outperform themselves § I am not even sure if there are boundaries …. 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 8

Quick overview 1996 … 97 Curiosity § Designer effortlessly modeled 3 D ideas in the mind’s eye § Sculpted the shape in front of him, interacted using hands as tools § Did the hand gestures helped him visualize the shape? 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 9

Quick overview 1999 § Exposed to his gestures and speech, other designers could reconstruct the shape accurately! § Work 1999 - 2002 : More architects - same problem, Same architects different problem …. . 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 10

Quick overview 2003 Change in age group Blindfolded classroom § Used student pair § Sighted as an architect partner 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 11

Quick overview To sum up Architects are able to effortlessly § Visualize built form in the mind’s eye § Recall design precedence § Interact and modify it (with hand gestures) § Imagine ambiance of spaces § Simulate use or people using it 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 12

Reaching out in the mind’s space: 2007…. 08 § Decided to push the boundary further by letting the blindfolded architects into a large hall and asking them to design 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 13

Reaching out in the mind’s space : 2007…. 08 Visualization strategies § Pacing the spaces in the mind’s eye • Architect physically moved as if mimicking the real world actions within a stationary visualization § Carrying the site on the shoulder § ……. Architect’s presence : Avatars § The data suggests that they had not only visualized the site but were also on site 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 14

Strategy 1 Pacing in the spaces in the mind’s eye § The visualization was stationary and they moved around in the spaces they created § They were accurate in indicating locations and using these spaces 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 15

Strategy 1 Turning in a ‘fixed site orientation’ § They mimicked as if they were on the real site, building things around altering it. 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 16

Strategy 2 Carrying the site on the shoulder § Architects moves a few paces and turns his body § The visualization also moves and turns 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 17

Strategy 2 Carrying the site on the shoulder § It is not clear if the need to move and turn the body was driven by the image in the mind or vice versa Architects seem to learn to handle this because of • design studios and through • orthographic drawings 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 18

Structure of presentation Part I § My interpretation of spatial Intelligence Part II § Lot of professions deal with spatial issues and learn on the job § Can you systematically develop competence to handle spatial manipulations, but not on the job 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 19

Part II But natural that my work with blindfolding architects should influence other exploration § Mind’s Eye Puzzles § Games (using mind’s eye) Tasks include • Problem solving and decisions based on the – Spatial transformations – Spatial memory Part of my efforts to explore the boundaries 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 20

Mind’s eye puzzles § Puzzles are based on my studies of the • Kinds of spatial problems encountered • Visualization strategies used § Partly based on • Cognitive operation on imagery listed by Kosslyn 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 21

Mind’s eye puzzles § Principles used are, • Scan the image, memorize it • Operate on it in the absence of the image § Operations are • Transform: rotate, invert, integrate …. • Scan images • Generate from audio input: 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 22

Puzzle: Standard paper folding puzzle 1 2 12/12/2021 3 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 23

Mind’s eye puzzles § There about fifty different types of puzzles • Use different combinations of cognitive operations • Cards are always reversed to force use of mind’s eye • Audio instructions on what, how …. 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 24

Mind’s eye puzzles § Verbal instructions on how to assemble the image by joining cards, scan the image and remember it § Cards are reversed to disintegrate the image and § Then present a spatial problem by audio 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 25

Mind’s eye puzzles § Teach and practice spatial manipulations in the mind’s eye, § Depend on memory, transformations and problem solving § Play value, challenge & fun 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 26

Mind’s eye puzzles § Complexity levels are controllable (Seven levels) § Tested for age specificity § Not tested for • How long the effect last 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 27

Games as a route § Specially designed to challenge spatial intelligence Mixed with § Challenge, win § Fun and entertainment 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 28

Games: 1 Tangle § Forces mental manipulation of spaces and shape § Two players and double the number of Tangram pieces 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 29

Games: 1 ? Move Opponent’s piece - 40 Your piece - 10 ? Spatial manipulation in the mind’s eye 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 30

Games: 2 Discover India § School children have low memory of maps § Rote learnt. Relationships are often not coded 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 31

Games: 2 § Wheel announces the landmark § First player locates the place given § Second player can challenge it. Encouraged as he is given less resources Correct location 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 32

Games: 2 Clues promote education through clues § But resources do not permit using clues it often 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 33

Games: 3 …… From touch to an image § Shapes are in the pouch § Three shapes make a square § You have to feel and select 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 34

Games • Besides spatial intelligence the games § Teach balancing resources with risk § Play value, repeat play § Challenge the children § There is a chance that these demands will dominate the objective of development of spatial intelligence Games and puzzles § Will the spatial learning last? • I don’t know 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 35

Thank you 12/12/2021 Boundaries of spatial intelligence 36