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ARCH 502A: Errors and Omissions

Instructor: Eric Haas

Serendipity Machine

The shift to remote work during the pandemic resulted in an immense loss of “serendipity” – the essence of a meaningful life. Life without serendipity is incomplete, as it is the unexpected moments that add depth and joy to our everyday experiences. The Serendipity Machine infuses empty office buildings with unique threshold and edge designs that heighten users’ sensory experiences. These sensory stimuli pique curiosity and prompt users to explore their surroundings, ultimately leading to unexpected interactions. The Serendipity Machine represents the transformative power of architecture, illustrating how it can not only solve the practical challenge of high office vacancy rates in major US cities but also give our existence its true value.