Students in Allen Sayegh’s seminar at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) installed an array of sensors on a tree in the yard behind the School’s iconic Gund Hall. The project aimed to collect data about phenology, the tree’s biological responses to changing seasonal temperatures. Integrating technology with the landscape, the effort is an example of a responsive environment, or a space augmented with digital tools and content. The concept of responsive environments is at the heart of Sayegh’s research. A design critic and senior interaction technologies fellow at the GSD, Sayegh specializes in technology-driven design and media arts in architecture and urbanism. He directs the research unit Responsive Environments and Artifacts Lab (REAL) at the GSD and is also the founder and principal of the Cambridge-based design firm INVIVIA
Sayegh brings this background to his role as the domain head for Mediums in the Master in Design Studies (MDes) program at the GSD. The program explores how design shapes the underlying processes of contemporary life. Students the Mediums domain focus on emerging technologies to design hybrid digital-and-physical environments. For example, in Sayegh’s project-based seminar, “Responsive Environments: Poetics of Space,” students to work at various scales to create projects ranging from wearable digital devices and interactive objects to architectural installations driven by network technologies. Some of these projects, like the sensors embedded on the tree, aim to collect real-world data that might inform the work of designers. Others are closer to digital art, such as a conceptual installation featuring a shallow pool of water onto which is projected the image of an orb that can be manipulated with acoustic frequencies.
The rapid advance of Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, and other interactive technologies have the potential to reorient our relationship to the built environment. Through the Medium’s domain, Sayegh focuses on how designers can use new tools to enhance our cities and foster deeper forms of citizen engagement. In a recent interview, Sayegh described the aims of the MDes program and how the Mediums domain creates a space for students to explore advanced fabrication techniques and pursue a broad spectrum of inquiries at the intersection of technology, art, and architecture.
Why do you think the Mediums domain is of interest to architects who are still in the early parts of their professional careers?
I believe the Mediums domain holds significant appeal for designers and architects in the early stages of their professional careers for several compelling reasons.
Firstly, the Mediums domain provides a dynamic platform for exploration and experimentation with various digital tools, physical models, and emerging technologies. Early-career architects are often in a phase of self-discovery and skill development, and the Mediums domain offers them a diverse range of expressive channels. This domain encourages architects to push creative boundaries and to think beyond the design approaches they might have been trained on or accustomed to.
Moreover, the domain facilitates a multidisciplinary approach, which is invaluable for architects seeking to develop a holistic understanding of the built environment and collaborate effectively with professionals from various fields.
Finally, the Mediums domain provides a space for architects to engage with the latest trends and advancements in representation, form-making, and communication. With the rapid evolution of technology in AI and mixed realities, designers can leverage these tools to convey their ideas in compelling and immersive ways. This exposure enhances their adaptability and ensures they remain at the forefront of the industry’s evolving landscape.
The recent exhibition Our Artificial Nature at the Druker Design Gallery celebrated ten years of research at the Harvard Center for Green Building and Cities (CGBC). The exhibition features ongoing research from across the School in response to the environmental imperatives facing the globe today. How does the MDes Mediums program prepare students to contribute to the important discourse around environmental design?
The MDes Mediums program promotes critical thinking and robust research skills, encouraging students to analyze and contribute to current debates and emerging trends in environmental design. This is very evident in the “open projects.” These capstone projects for the degree requirement are collaborative in nature, and students learn to synthesize their ideas and communicate them effectively, preparing them to engage with the broader architectural community and influence the ongoing dialogue. Furthermore, the GSD offers many courses with a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental consciousness that is part of the wide range of electives. Mediums students bring a unique perspective on how different technologies, new ways of expression, and methods can be leveraged to address emergent environmental concerns and contribute positively to the creation of responsible built environments.
Transdisciplinary thinking is a critical part of contemporary problem-solving in design. Can you explain more how this approach is integrated into the MDes program?
Transdisciplinary thinking is an approach that draws on multiple fields of knowledge and expertise to develop a more holistic understanding of complex issues. In design, transdisciplinary thinking is becoming increasingly important because many of the challenges we face today are complex and require solutions that go beyond the scope of a single discipline. MDes, by design, is uniquely situated to draw on insights from multiple fields, break down silos between disciplines, and encourage collaboration and communication between students from different backgrounds. This can lead to more innovative and effective solutions that consider a range of perspectives and factors. Additionally, the transdisciplinary approaches can help identify hidden connections and interactions that might not be immediately obvious.
MDes has grown in size and diversity in recent years with students from at least 15 countries and five continents represented in the program. How has this impacted the student experience? What do you think contributes to this increase in international applicants?
The increased size and diversity of the MDes program over the years has had a significant impact on the student experience. First, students are exposed to a wider range of perspectives, cultural backgrounds, and ways of thinking, which enriches their peer-to-peer learning experience and broadens their understanding of design. This exposure to diverse perspectives also helps students develop skills in cross-cultural communication, collaboration, and problem-solving, which are increasingly important in our globalized world. Secondly, the presence of students from different parts of the world enhances the social and cultural experience of MDes students. They have opportunities to build relationships and networks with people from diverse backgrounds, which is very valuable for personal and professional growth.
I think several factors have contributed to the increase in international applicants. One of the main factors is the growing recognition of the importance of design in solving complex global challenges. There is a demand for designers who can work across cultures and boundaries to create solutions that are effective and culturally sensitive.
Also, a very important factor is the reputation of the MDes program itself. As the program has grown and evolved over the years, it has become one of the most widely known and respected transdisciplinary programs in the world. This attracts talented designers from all over the world who are interested in studying at a highly competitive, top-ranked program.
How has the MDes curriculum shifted as climate change and climate resilience take center stage in design thinking?
While core transdisciplinary approaches have remained largely unchanged, some of the focus of the courses has shifted to address the urgent challenges presented by climate change. One way the MDes addresses this is through our open projects courses and by placing greater emphasis on research addressing climate change. This includes a wide range of topics on designing for resilience, energy efficiency, and sustainability, and speculative investigations on unveiling some of the causes and complexities of the perception of climate change.