Our Physical Landscape’s Potential

Recognizing SFU’s architecture to build stronger relationships with the community

Presenter’s assumptionThe natural beauty and physical

landscape of the Greater Vancouver region has been recognized as one of its greatest assets.

However, the way in which the built structures/institutions of the region interface with this natural landscape remains a relatively untapped asset in increasing their profile.

Project OverviewTo provide a multi-language

architectural tour of SFU's buildings and physical landscape.

To provide this expert information in an automated fashion using existing and developing technologies.

To provide a 'take-home' deliverable to tour participants.

Audience• Tourists / visitors to campus

• Conference attendees

• New / potential students and their families

• New faculty and staff

• Greater community

BenefitsResource for individuals wanting to

learn more about SFU's architecture and its influence over other building projects – locally, nationally, internationally.

Linking this architecture to SFU's history/development.

Linking to current facilities, departments, programs and services.

Allowing participants to revisit their experience in the form of a personalized ‘travel journal’.

Tour Format (part 1)As an individual walks around any of

SFU's three campuses, be it Burnaby, Vancouver or Surrey, their media/mobile device (cell phone, PDA/Blackberry, rented headset, etc.) will allow them to access/receive information about their immediate surroundings.

Tour Format (part 2)Shortly after completion of their tour

(48-72 hours) the individual receives an automated e-mail with a link to their 'Travel Log'.

Tour Format (part 3)This Travel Log will contain an

overview of the surroundings visited during the tour (date/time stamped), as well as media-rich content such as links to images, video, history and current SFU services/departments associated with that location, and external links.

Considerations• Content and its successful delivery

are the primary focuses of this project.

• Technology is the limiting factor on the success of this project.

Technology: Location Detection

• METHOD: GPS (Global Positioning Systems)– LIMITATION: concrete structures

• METHOD: Cell Phone Towers– LIMITATION: requires media/mobile

devices be enabled; 10-20 metre 'drift'

• METHOD: Wireless / Blue-Tooth– LIMITATION: requires media/mobile

devices be enabled

Technology: Location Detection

• METHOD: Short Codes - a menu system allowing users to enter their physical location into their media/mobile device.– LIMITATION: need for physical markers

Short Code examples• Translink Bus stops

• SkyTrain “SkyTour” (now defunct)

• Mobile MUSE Research Network "Metrocode" project– Vancouver Sculpture Biennale (

http://www.vancouverbiennale.com)– Ubiquity Interactive (mobile way-finding

at UBC)

Travel Log example• SFU’s 7th Floor Media– Re:call Mobile Memory Research Project

Phase 1 (6 - 9 months)• Content– Identification & expert development– Short Code development

• Platform– Menu system access via cell phones (dial-up) &

rentable PDAs (content preloaded)

• Delivery– Short Code menu system– Audio– E-mailed Travel Log

• Assessment– Survey– Focus Group– Online feedback

Phase 2 (12 - 18 months)• Content evolution– Expert revisions– Community Feedback

• Platform evolution– Enable wireless & Bluetooth devices

• Delivery evolution– Audio, text, media– Travel Log with increased linkages to

University departments/facilities/services

• Assessment evolution– Concentration on web feedback via Travel Log

Phase 3 (18 months & onward)

• Content evolution–Way-finding

• Platform evolution– Enable GPS

• Delivery evolution– Directions & services sent to device

• Assessment evolution–Web based only

Existing / Available Resources• Johnston, H (2005). Radical Campus.

Vancouver : Douglas & McIntyre.• SFU Archives and Records Management

Department (F-223 Hugh Johnston fonds, architectural journal clippings, unpublished [untitled] architectural manuscript)

• Vancouver Art Gallery (Erickson Critical Works Collection)

• UBC School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture

• Architectural Institute of British Columbia• Emily Carr Institute for Art, Design & Media