Watershed
How can digital media content transform physical spaces at architectural scale, allowing for a more dynamic range of interactions and behaviours? Previous research in the field of media architecture acknowledges the role of digital technologies such as screens in generating novel forms of digital placemaking. However, little research has been undertaken around the contribution that the design of content has on digital placemaking and the potential of mathematical modelling for the digital generation of content remains underexplored.
This research explored the transformative potential of watershed based morphological algorithms. Typically used for medical imagery, these algorithms draw watershed lines to segment an image into meaningful forms. This mathematical modelling was extended to the design of digital media content to explore how it can support and connect communities of people with a shared public space. The research resulted in a body of digital media art and light projection that was exhibited on a 25mx10m net structure at The Hub, Meat Market for Melbourne Knowledge Week.
Watershed was exhibited for the duration of Melbourne Knowledge Week 2018 and was a key element of the festival hub design. The annual festival is a significant cultural event, encouraging innovation and public discourse about the future of the city. The festival hub attracted more than 15,000 visitors. The research was produced from collaboration with Grimshaw Architects, a significant firm who showcase the project on their global website. The project has attracted both national and international interest, a conference paper and an invited panel presentation.
