SilenceTop

Interactive Microarchitecture: Reshaping Social Interaction Thorugh Non-Linguistic Cues 

Microarchitecture is an emerging practice that combines the fields of furniture and architecture. While furniture typically refers to moveable objects such as chairs and tables, it is also concerned with the human condition and the spaces in which it is situated. Similarly, architecture also deals with the design of human spaces. Despite not being widely used, the term “microarchitecture” has been applied to a number of projects. One such project is Joe Colombo’s “The Total Furnishing Unit,” which was designed in the 1970s. The unit was a complex, modular structure that merged the properties of a home into a single unit, thus blurring the boundaries between architecture and furniture.

SilenceTop is an interactive microarchitecture that exhibits different responses to silence, depending on the surrounding conditions. Silence, as a phenomenon, is not a tangible entity but rather recognized in the absence of social activities and sounds. The interpretation of silence varies among individuals based on their cultural background and the context in which it is situated. The interactivity inherent to SilenceTop does not hinge upon a predetermined objective or defined purpose; rather, it offers an experience characterized by openness, analogous to the multifaceted interpretations of silence. 

SilenceTop, 2022

750 x 750 x 550 mm

Soban’ a traditional low table historically used by in- individuals of the same social class. This historical reference serves as a framework for exploring social stratification and interaction. The conventional use and cultural significance of soban reflects the separation of individuals based on gender, age, and social class, allowing its use only between people of similar social status. While the traditional application of The restricted use of the soban parallels the nuanced social interactions and ambiguous intimacy that manifest during moments of silence.

SilenceTop diverges from traditional Korean ‘soban’ by utilizing contrasting materials and adopting semi-transparent, exposed materials. As informed by materiality studies, which examine the relationship between materials and human perception; this approach intentionally reveals the internal structure, implying the object’s interactive capacity and reinforcing an environment of playful engagement. 

The spatial configuration and dimensions of the object are informed by proxemics, the term coined by Edward Hall; the term postulated that “people maintain different degrees of personal distance depending on social context and cultural backgrounds.” Adhering to Edward T. Hall’s proxemics theory, the design accommodates up to three individuals in a radial arrangement. Hall’s theory posits that effective intimate conversations among three to four individuals indoors occur when participants maintain a distance of 45 to 92 centimeters from one another. SilenceTop ensures a seating distance of 75 centimeters between individuals, providing a balance conducive to less familiar and more intimate interactions.