Proceedings of the Ninth International Space Syntax Symposium Edited by Y O Kim, H T Park and K W Seo, Seoul: Sejong University, 2013 NETWORKED ARCHITECTURAL INTERFACES: Exploring the effect of spatial configuration on urban screen placement 004 Ava Fatah gen. Schieck University College London/ e-mail: ava.fatah@ucl.ac.uk Kinda Al-Sayed University College London/ e-mail: k.sayed@ucl.ac.uk Efstathia Kostopoulou University College London/ e-mail: efstathia.kostopoulou.10@ucl.ac.uk Moritz Behrens University College London/ e-mail: moritz.behrens@ucl.ac.uk Wallis Motta University College London/ e-mail: ucsammo@ucl.ac.uk ABSTRACT This paper explores the placement of an exemplar digitally connected urban screen, installed in the real world. It describes on-going work of implementation and evaluation of networked interactive screens in Urban Space. Our approach is inherently cross-disciplinary bringing together methods from Architecture, and Interaction Design to integrate placement, local interactivity and distributed connectivity of four screen nodes connecting Nottingham with London. In this paper, we focus on one of our sites in London. Our analysis draws upon the spatial methods used to detect target positions for the screen placement. It is motivated by the assumption that visual and spatial configurations might raise potentials for human interaction with digital screens. We then reflect on how actual pedestrian activity measured by systematic observation techniques corresponds to the spatial measures and may support our assumptions before and after the screen implementation. The methodological tasks were designed to understand how spatial and visual properties of the targeted layouts correspond to the social usability, co-presence and movement activity. This understanding would enable a more sensible judgment over what makes the ideal location for a touch screen in the urban setting. We suggest that the properties of the spatial configuration may play an important role in influencing the nature of the interactions with the screens. However, we highlight in particular the dynamic and interconnected nature of this mediation, defined through the spatial layout, people, type of social activities, and time of the day. Keywords: Urban Screens, Research in the wild, Spatial and Social Configuration, Mediated Interactions, Shared Encounters. Theme: Architectural Design and Practice