Surveillance is now pervasive and without boundaries, embedded deeply into every aspect of our lives. Technologies like the internet have infiltrated every corner of our existence. More importantly, this creates a blurred dynamic where the roles of observer and observed are no longer distinct. For example, social networks such as LinkedIn often prompt us with suggestions like, “Do you know this person who shares mutual friends?” or “Congratulate Ian on his work anniversary.” These interactions illustrate how the information we share is meticulously tracked, not only for safety purposes but also to subtly influence our behavior, often without our awareness.

In designing the NSA housing, I sought to translate these digital suggestions into physical ones, exploring how people’s behaviors manifest in response to environmental cues. The chosen site—a disused area with old train tracks—served as the inspiration for the concept of “building track on top of track.” The design features movable residential units arranged between two parallel structures, allowing for the study of how residents interact with and adapt to shifting public spaces created by these mobile units. This design aims to reveal insights into the different personalities and behaviors of residents by observing how they utilize this changing space.

Additionally, custom-designed casework and furniture in the residential units are intentionally integrated with the building’s façade, making the residents’ activities observable from the exterior. However, the design maintains an appropriate level of privacy, creating a new form of surveillance—one that seeks to understand human behavior in a thoughtful and non-intrusive way.

This NSA housing is not an isolated experimental space; it is intrinsically connected to its surrounding neighborhood. It invites not only residents but also passersby from the nearby viaduct and the local community to interact and shape the space. For instance, the ground level of the housing will be open and accessible to the public, fostering greater engagement. A public passage will blur the boundary between the viaduct and the housing complex, encouraging spontaneous interactions and allowing for further insights into how intellectual elites, as well as the broader public, respond to the environment.