MIT MEDIA LAB
Escape PodBuilding a spatial computing lab to research human-building interaction
The Escape Pod is an experimental platform developed at the MIT Media Lab’s City Science Group to explore how intelligent environments can support moments of focus, rest, and recovery within dense urban contexts. Designed as a responsive spatial computing lab, it investigates how architecture can dynamically adapt to human needs through embedded sensing, actuation, and behavioral feedback.
Research in collaboration with Kent Larson, Carson Smuts, Jason Nawyn and Lucas Cassiano — MIT Media Lab City Science Group
Dynamic and adaptable.
We developed the Escape Pod as a fully reconfigurable environment that transitions fluidly between work, rest, and contemplative states. Its actuated surfaces and modular components respond to user behavior and intent, enabling the space to morph in real time. The outer skin features variable transparency, offering a spectrum of visibility settings to accommodate different privacy needs and sensory conditions.
Addressable control
Every element of the Escape Pod—from furniture and lighting to enclosure and interface—is digitally addressable. Users can fine-tune the environment to align with their preferences, while researchers can orchestrate complex spatial scenarios to study adaptive behavior. This flexibility supports a wide range of use cases, from focused work sessions to immersive relaxation experiences. 
Modular sensor platform.
The inner skin of the Escape Pod comprises a network of modular panels, each functioning as a sensor-rich pixel within the spatial system. These panels can be added, removed, or reprogrammed to test various aspects of human-building interaction, including physiological monitoring, environmental sensing, and behavioral analysis. This modularity allows for rapid prototyping and iterative research into responsive architectural systems.
For more information, please visit the City Science Group Project Page.