Adaptive Architecture: regulating human building interaction^*

* This paper was presented at BILETA 2018, 10–11 April, ’18, University of Aberdeen and was awarded the Taylor & Francis Prize (on behalf of the International Review of Law, Computers & Technology).

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we explore the regulatory, technical and interactional implications of Adaptive Architecture (AA) and how it will recalibrate the nature of human-building interaction. We comprehensively unpack the emergence and history of this novel concept, reflecting on the current state of the art and policy foundations supporting it. As AA is underpinned by the Internet of Things (IoT), we consider how regulatory and surveillance issues posed by the IoT are manifesting in the built environment. In our analysis, we utilise a prominent architectural model, Stuart Brand’s Shearing Layers, to understand temporal change and informational flows across different physical layers of a building. We use three AA applications to situate our analysis, namely a smart IoT security camera; an AA research prototype; and an AA commercial deployment. Focusing on emerging information privacy and security regulations, particularly the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016, we examine AA from 5 perspectives: physical & information security risks; challenges of establishing responsibility; enabling occupant rights over flows, collection, use & control of personal data; addressing increased visibility of emotions and bodies; understanding surveillance of everyday routine activities. We conclude with key challenges for AA regulation and the future of human–building interaction.

KEYWORDS:

• Adaptive Architecture
• ubiquitous computing
• internet of things
• smart cities
• built environment
• human–building interaction
• law and ethics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Holger Schnädelbach http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6054-1883

Notes

* This paper was presented at BILETA 2018, 10–11 April, ’18, University of Aberdeen and was awarded the Taylor & Francis Prize (on behalf of the International Review of Law, Computers & Technology).

1. Right to Object – Users can object to their data being processed, particularly for direct marketing. After they do so, the direct marketer must stop using it. (Art 21 GDPR); Right to Restrict – Users have a right to restrict data processing, instead of full deletion. Restricted data can only be processed in limited circumstances, namely with user consent or for the public interest. (Art 18 GDPR); Right to Access – Users have a right to know who processes their data, why, where & what data is stored, how it is used & shared. They can request a copy for a fee. (Art 15 GDPR); Right to Rectify – Users have a right to get inaccurate information corrected & incomplete data completed. (Art 16 GDPR).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council [grant numbers EP/M02315X/1 and EP/M000877/1] and a University of Nottingham Research Fellowship ‘The Built Environment as the Interface to Personal Data’.