Bamboo FlexGrid: A Participatory Design of Campus Social Furniture from a Behavioral Activation Perspective

Abstract

Campus micro-renewal plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of public spaces and revitalizing social networks. However, peripheral campus areas often degrade into "lost spaces" that fragment interactions and inhibit social engagement due to functional decline, yet effective revitalization strategies remain scarce. To address this issue, this study proposes the “Bamboo FlexGrid” composite social furniture system to revitalize passive spaces. Grounded in behavioral activation and participatory design, the system utilizes bamboo to construct a modular grid system that supports free assembly at the physical level. At the digital level, it integrates WebAR technology to overlay virtual components, capturing user interactions in real time to generate art posters with emotional feedback. Practical evaluations demonstrate that through gamified interventions, the system successfully transforms neglected peripheries into dynamic spaces that stimulate spontaneous social interaction among faculty and students. This research validates the potential of public art in mitigating negative spatial perceptions, offering an interdisciplinary solution for campus micro-renewal that integrates human-centered scale, emotional warmth, and dynamic growth potential.

Keywords: Campus Micro-renewal, Lost Space, Participatory Design, Public Furniture, Virtual-physical Symbiosis

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007905