Intelligent Surfaces

Sam Buxton gives a physical importance to the otherwise inanimate surfaces of familiar objects permitting them to communicate and interact.

Marcia Caines

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66 illuminating EL areas, microchip inverter, steel structure, acrylic table top. Display capability on a domestic object / photos courtesy Sam Buxton

Surface Intelligent ObjectS (SIOS) is a project by Sam Buxton, a Designer from London, that attempts to break down the boundaries between the information display, such as mobile phone screens/computer screens, TV, PDA’S and the static physical environment of our living spaces.

Working with the idea that today the information relative to physical objects and structures around us is constantly gaining more importance, to the point that one day it’s significance could even surpass that of physical matter. Using the example of the human body Sam Buxton explains his concept: «One could argue that information exchange in the human body is more important than the cells it inhabits. Without the electrical impulses in the brain dictating the processes in the organs, the muscles, the chemical signals between cells we would be a lifeless lump of matter».

why should a wall or a piece of furniture occupying a large area remain inanimate when computer screens and similar devices in smaller areas are animate?

A dead object can therefore become a live one when we pass from the flat screens of information display to 3D objects and environments. On the other hand why should a wall or a piece of furniture occupying a large area remain inanimate when computer screens and similar devices in smaller areas are animate?

With the use of new technologies such as EL, (Electroluminescent Technology) a paper thin flat and flexible light source that uses low energy levels and video Sam Buxton explores the emotional relationship between design and its users. Activating the surfaces of objects interacting and communicating with them leads to investigating concepts associated with the relationship of the human body and our environment.

Sam says: «…then seeing what happens and how well or not it works and where it leads.» His plans are to continue into the future with his research experimenting use of new technologies that will help to bring more objects to life, blending the physical environment and the info display into one.

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Sam Buxton was born in London in 1972. He has taken part in numerous exhibitions both in England and abroad, including most recently European Design Biennial ‘Somewhere Totally Else’ Design Museum (26 Sept – Jan 04) and Tokyo Designers Block – British Council/Paul Smith Exhibition (Oct 8 – 14 2003). His work has been published in Wallpaper, Domus, NY Times, Tatler and Elle Décor Italy. He was interviewed by CNN in July 2003. He established MIKRO Ltd in 2002 to design, develop and licence a series of miniature fold our sculptures, including MIKRO-man and MIKRO-House, MIKRO-City was commissioned for the Design Museum’s Living in a Tank’s series sponsored by IKEA UK