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Case Study · Physical Computing · 2025

Physical Computing — Comfort Lamp

A three-module journey from first Arduino blink to a sensor-driven ambient lamp housed inside a 3D-printed architectural scene. Temperature, humidity, and light data map to tiered colour states; a ProtoPie mobile UI replaces the LCD for richer feedback.

Role Hardware + software prototyping Tools Arduino, DHT11, NeoPixel, Logic Pro, TouchDesigner, 3D printing
Open P3

At a glance

Problem
People can't feel ambient temperature/humidity changes until discomfort — no calm visual cue.
Role
Individual hardware + software prototyping within a collaborative team
Tools
Arduino Uno, DHT11, NeoPixel RGB LEDs, LCD1602, 3D printer (Ultimaker), TouchDesigner, ProtoPie
Timeline
3 modules — exploration → working circuit → 3D-printed ambient object
Key Decisions
Tiered colour mapping with hysteresis; remove LCD, move UI to mobile; physical latching switch for clear on/off
Result
A finished ambient lamp that communicates comfort state through colour and glow, paired with a ProtoPie mobile dashboard.
Comfort Lamp final prototype — 3D-printed staircase glowing green
Module 1 — Exploration & Concept

Arduino Basics & Research

Set up Arduino for the first time — Blink, LEDs, buttons. Explored TouchDesigner for data-driven visuals. Researched WGSN consumer trends (Solarpunk Futures, Nomadic Tech) and defined problem spaces and HMI statements.

Activity 1 — First Arduino Experiments

Activity 2 — ProtoPie + Board Setup

Connecting dev board to laptop Arduino IDE code ready to upload Testing on second laptop Running uploaded program, checking outputs

Activity 3 — Arduino → TouchDesigner

Potentiometer serial data 0–100 TouchDesigner blank project Serial port error (monitor still open)

Concept Direction

Chose the ART path — transforming sensor signals into generative visuals. Core idea: make energy states legible at a glance through calm colour/particle fields mapped to real data.

TouchDesigner prototype — solar energy mapped to colour and particle density
Module 2 — Sensor Build & Prototype

DHT Sensor → LED → LCD Comfort Lamp

Built the core circuit: DHT11 reads temperature & humidity, Arduino maps values to four colour tiers (BLUE < 16 °C, GREEN 16–26 °C, YELLOW 27–34 °C, RED ≥ 35 °C) with hysteresis. Added LCD1602 for live readout. Guerrilla prototyping sessions tested cardboard lamp housings.

Guerrilla Prototyping I — Cardboard Stand

Cut cardboard parts — base, ribs, slot pieces Measuring and layout Assembly with hot glue Prototype V1 — limited angle range Prototype V2 — wider base, rear wedge

DHT11 Sensor Exploration

Cardboard prototype checking balance and internal volume Arduino IDE DHT11 sketch DHT11 wiring close-up Serial Monitor streaming sensor data Sensor mounted in temporary case

Iterating DHT Data → LED Signals

Board selection and sensor choice Breadboard layout — DHT wired Wiring refinement — DATA/VCC/GND verified Arduino sketch with tiers and hysteresis End-to-end serial test — live T/H readings

Action Research — Adding LCD1602

Arduino sketch — DHT, tier, LED, LCD Wiring full stack Breadboard refinement with POT for contrast LED cues live — tier colours LCD readout: T, H, and tier label

P2 Prototype Result

Comfort Lamp v1 — Arduino, DHT, LCD showing GREEN tier
Module 3 — 3D Housing & Final Prototype

From Circuit to Ambient Object

Evolved the comfort lamp into a finished ambient object. Researched and 3D-printed a staircase/arch housing, removed the LCD, added a light sensor and latching touch switch, and connected to a ProtoPie mobile UI for richer feedback.

Workshop 1 — Bodystorming

Role-played a clinic visit to study doctor–patient communication: eye contact, body language, tone, and digital tools for trust and comfort.

Setting up the consultation role-play Doctor reads symptom checklist on phone Doctor leans in to talk to patient Patient describes chest pain Emergency scenario — patient faints

Activity 1 — Enclosure Design & 3D Printing

Found a staircase/arch model on Thingiverse, modified it in CAD, and 3D-printed a housing for the Arduino and sensors.

Reference 3D model from Thingiverse First CAD modification — interior architecture Second CAD iteration — Arduino slot 3D printing in progress on Ultimaker Finished 3D-printed housing

Activity 2 — Electronics & Lighting Integration

Testing RGB LED ring Soldering longer wires to LED Wired connector for NeoPixel strip
Warm glow inside staircase housing Cool/green tier test Warm/orange tier test Bright magenta tier test

Additional Research — Sensors & Switch

Removed LCD, added light sensor for ambient brightness, tested a latching touch switch for clear on/off control.

Breadboard without LCD — added light sensor Added latching touch switch Tidied circuit — RGB LED lit Updated Arduino code for touch switch
Checking enclosure for electronics fit Circuit beside enclosure — testing cable reach Red tier glow inside enclosure
Final Prototype

Comfort Lamp — Finished Ambient Object

The completed lamp uses tiered colour states driven by sensors, a latching touch switch for physical on/off, and a ProtoPie mobile UI that shows live data and sends commands back to the Arduino. The phone handles detailed information; the lamp communicates through colour and glow.

Final prototype — staircase and archway lit with soft green glow
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