CommonSENSE: A Participatory Design Toolkit for Shaping Physical Space through Real-Time Data

Abstract

CommonSENSE is a participatory design toolkit which aims to support communities, neighbors, flatmates, researchers and hobbyists, to creatively explore the potential of their own living space and actively engage them in its design and re-arrangement. Through a sensor kit gathering real time space occupancy data and an online design engine where users access and act upon these data to produce or evaluate design solutions, the platform enables users to document and share their habits and desires, visualize design ideas and test them in physical space. CommonSENSE envisions an alternative definition of "environment intelligence" where embedded systems and information technology turn users into active participants in the design of their living environment. This paper presents the implementation details of this participatory platform prototype in the case of the Athenian typical apartment block (polykatoikia) and discusses its spatial and theoretical implications from three different perspectives: as a participatory design engine prototype, an "urban intelligence" tool and an open source development toolkit.