DJS Portfolio:Illuminating Clay

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ILLUMINATING CLAY, Ph.D. research, School of Architecture and Media Lab, M.I.T., 1999-2003

Illuminating Clay is a prototype modeling tool with a superimposed physical/virtual interface. It utilizes continuous three-dimensional scanning with one scanner from a fixed location. The scanner reads the surface shape of the clay model and creates a digital model from the data. Topographic analysis algorithms are then performed using the data, and the results are projected back onto the surface of the clay and to the tabletop GUI.

My research focused on the user, in this case architects, landscape archtects and site planners. In the early stages of the interface design I collected data on current design practice through interviews and observation. After the prototype was completed I devised a series of experiments where subjects, ranging in skill levels from novice to seasoned professional, were asked to solve a discrete design problem, some using Illuminating Clay, some using the tools of current practice. I also observed a site-planning course, titled Illuminating Sites, that incorporated Illuminating Clay into a six-week-long project. Students were also asked to take part in a controlled experiment with Illuminating Clay.

You can read the protocol analysis from my thesis Chapter 9: The Findings. (pdf, 34 pgs.)

You can read a summary of the project and findings in this article: An Observational Study of a Landscape Design Process using Illuminated Clay (pdf, 9pgs.)

Thesis2 Students in Illuminating Sites solving a site planning problem using Illuminating Clay.

Thesis2 Computer graphic displays around the clay model show different aspects of the surface analysis.

Thesis2 Modeling the clay while a real-time projection displays terrain analysis on the clay surface.

Thesis2 Illuminating Clay from above showing the physical work area on the left and the interactive graphical interface on the right. (A mouse was used to interact with the GUI.)