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<h2>Changing how we design buildings by understanding how users experience them</h2>
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<p>We spend more than 90% of our lives in spaces designed by someone else. Yet for all the time we spend in these spaces, there's actually very little data on how we're feeling and experiencing them. Ray Wang, a principal research scientist at Autodesk, explores this provocative insight by advocating for a revolutionary shift in design perspectives. Instead of the traditional "outside-in" approach, which focuses on buildings as objects and analyzes them based on external factors like shade and wind, Wang proposes an "inside-out" methodology that prioritizes human experience. By using participatory sensing and multimodal AI models, Autodesk Research aims to capture and analyze real-world data from the user's perspective. This approach not only helps in creating healthier, more habitable spaces but also empowers architects and designers with tools to evaluate and communicate the qualitative aspects of their work. Through collaborations with organizations like The Bentway in Toronto, Wang's team is developing innovative toolkits and workflows to gather and leverage diverse data streams, ultimately aiming to integrate human-centric insights into the design process. This paradigm shift promises to transform how we design and interact with our built environment, making it more aligned with human experiences and needs.</p>
<h4>About the speaker&nbsp;</h4>
<p>Ray Wang is a Principal Research Scientist with Autodesk Research. He is based in New York City and works with the AEC Industry Futures team. Ray's research investigates the intersections between AI, human experience, and carbon within our built environment. His recent projects include work advancing computational design, real-time visualizations, interactive experiences, and sustainable, human-centered design. Ray's work has been published and exhibited in a variety of venues including Wired, Architectural Record, MoMA, and the Center Pompidou. He also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.</p>

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