Sensorimotricity in tool-based architectural design: reconnecting with corporality

Beginning with the observation that architectural design models deny the existence and importance of sensorimotor intelligence in the decision-making processes of designers during project development, this speculative paper discusses the instrumented body in architectural design and is structured into three parts: (1) Drawing on biology and neuroscience, the permeability of the human epidermal interface and the coupling of the human body and the environment are highlighted, and a processual model of a sensorimotor organism is defined; (2) A reinterpretation of various activity theories, including constructivism, socio-constructivism, cultural-historical activity theory and systemic-structural activity theory brings to light the essential polarities inherent in any work-related action situation; (3) A sensorimotor design model, which can be generalized for other types of activities, is proposed by hybridizing internalist and externalist perspectives. Finally, a conclusive opening defines the designer in a new way, as a sensorimotorized designer.