Department of Architecture
University of Oulu
Finland

Displays in Public Pedestrian Urban Spaces

Case: UBI Displays in Northern Conditions at City of Oulu, Finland

This talk discusses the detailed design of the UBI Displays, which are the most visible artifact of the new computing infrastructure deployed by the UBI program so far. New technology activates people to use public urban spaces and increases the attractiveness of the city centre. Displays have to be integrated into natural part of functional and visual public pedestrian surroundings for both citizens and visitors. The locations of displays in pedestrian areas have effect on city image and urban space as such, but also on usability of displays. In northern conditions drastically changing lighting conditions are challenging: dark winter times and almost nightless summer times. Glare caused by direct sunlight or surrounding artificial light sources and disturbing reflections decrease the good usability of displays. Also frost, snow and winter maintenance of streets are challenging factors. Technical matters such as access to infrastructure needed plays also fairly large role in planning the right location for the display. In addition of the location of the displays the visual appearance of display structures such as material, colour and detailing play important role when formulating the inviting city image and nearby surroundings in urban pedestrian context.

Biography:

D.Sc. (Technology) 2007, University of Oulu, Faculty of Technology, Finland; Lic.Tech. (Technology) 1998, University of Oulu, Faculty of Technology, Finland; architect, M.Sc.1992, University of Oulu, Faculty of Technology, Finland. University Lecturer (Architectural Design) (2009-), Department of Architecture, Faculty of Technology, University of Oulu, Finland; Senior Lecturer and Head of Laboratory of Art and Design (2003-2008); Department of Architecture, Faculty of Technology, University of Oulu, Finland. Architect Office EST oy Herneoja – Niskasaari, partner (1991-).