We often chase authenticity but risk turning residents into subjects. Why not shift our focus to designing environments that invite natural, unobserved interactions? This could foster genuine engagement without compromising trust or comfort.
Ryan, the 2022 'Hidden Connections Study' documented residents who developed elaborate signals to communicate when they sensed monitoring. They created their own unobserved spaces within observed ones. The authentic behavior migrated to places we couldn't follow.
It seems the common thread in these discussions is how to create spaces where authenticity can thrive without residents feeling observed. What if we explored the concept of temporary, ephemeral spaces that disappear after a short time, perhaps encouraging more candid interactions?