Research Challenges for Adaptive Architecture: Empowering Occupants of Multi-Occupancy Buildings

This positional paper outlines our vision of 'adaptive architecture', which involves the integration of robotic technology to physically change an architectural space in supporting the changing needs of its occupants, in response to the CHI'24 workshop "HabiTech - Inhabiting Buildings, Data & Technology" call on "How do new technologies enable and empower the inhabitants of multi-occupancy buildings?". Specifically, while adaptive architecture holds promise for enhancing occupant satisfaction, comfort, and overall health and well-being, there remains a range of research challenges of (1) how it can effectively support individual occupants, while (2) mediating the conflicting needs of collocated others, and (3) integrating meaningfully into the sociocultural characteristics of their building community.