Attitude Suit by Alex Barr

Architecture is experienced in a multi-sensory way, moreover, human capacities to perceive architecture are highly diverse. Unfortunately, the emphasis in designing and creating space lies in large measure on the visual representation. Other senses are hardly represented or considered during the design process, because of this, the resulting building does not always comply with the holistic human experience.

The Attitude Suit explores how e-textiles, technology, sound, and movement can help redefine the body’s relationship to space and ‘A’rchitecture. How can we create a space with attitude? An alter ego to architecture?

Handmade from black canvas, the Attitude Suit is compromised of four neoprene sensors stitched to the elbow and knee joints. When the body moves, an Arduino Lillypad on the back spine sends a message to four solenoids connected via conductive thread and wire. Movement from the neoprene senor triggers the solenoids -- which are connected to different elements of the building... creating a cacophonous noise, amplifying sonic space.

The Attitude Suit physically and abstractly challenges the way we experience, perceive, and hear architectural space through technology... Does the body control space or does space control the body?