Tangible Landscape: Cognitively Grasping the Flow of Water

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Complex spatial forms like topography can be challenging to understand, much less intentionally shape, given the heavy cognitive load of visualizing and manipulating 3D form. Spatiotemporal processes like the flow of water over a landscape are even more challenging to understand and intentionally direct as they are dependent upon their context and require the simulation of forces like gravity and momentum. This cognitive work can be offloaded onto computers through 3D geospatial modeling, analysis, and simulation. Interacting with computers, however, can also be challenging, often requiring training and highly abstract thinking. Tangible computing -an emerging paradigm of human-computer interaction in which data is physically manifested so that users can feel it and directly manipulate it -aims to offload this added cognitive work onto the body. We have designed Tangible Landscape, a tangible interface powered by an open source geographic information system (GRASS GIS), so that users can naturally shape topography and interact with simulated processes with their hands in order to make observations, generate and test hypotheses, and make inferences about scientific phenomena in a rapid, iterative process. Conceptually Tangible Landscape couples a malleable physical model with a digital model of a landscape through a continuous cycle of 3D scanning, geospatial modeling, and projection. We ran a flow modeling experiment to test whether tangible interfaces like this can effectively enhance spatial performance by offloading cognitive processes onto computers and our bodies. We used hydrological simulations and statistics to quantitatively assess spatial performance. We found that Tangible Landscape enhanced 3D spatial performance and helped users understand water flow.

Tangible topographic modeling for landscape architects

“…We implemented a real-time water flow simulation for Tangible Landscape so that users can sculpt topography and immediately see how that changes the simulated flow and dispersion of water across the landscape. After a pilot study, 37 we conducted an experiment to study how effectively landscape architects can use this real-time, tangible water flow simulation. This experiment was designed to study whether participants could link form and process using the water flow simulation-to assess how well they could understand the relationship between topographic form and the flow of water when using Tangible Landscape.…”