Dynamicland

Research lab advancing the future of interactive computation interfaces.

Oakland, USA
Founded 2017

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Industries

ComputingArts

Funding

Philanthropically Funded

Narrative

Dynamicland, situated in a former laundromat in downtown Oakland, consciously cultivated a "scenius" through its radical reimagining of the computer itself. Eschewing screens and individual devices, Dynamicland centered around a physical space where computation was embodied in tangible objects and ubiquitous sensing. This tangible, collectively-experienced environment fostered an intensely collaborative culture. Researchers, often with diverse backgrounds spanning programming, architecture, and education, were encouraged to openly experiment, rapidly prototype, and share their work in the shared space. The resulting constant interaction and tangible feedback loops accelerated innovation in spatial computing, new programming paradigms like Bret Victor's "Learnable Programming" and explored radically different interfaces than traditional monitors/keyboards.

This unique environment was not simply a physical space but a philosophical stance against the isolation and screen-fixation prevalent in modern computing. By grounding computation in the shared, physical world, Dynamicland sought to democratize access and foster a more intuitive and collaborative relationship with technology. Its location, close to educational institutions and within a vibrant urban environment, further fueled its mission, attracting a diverse group of thinkers and makers driven by a shared desire to reimagine the very nature of computation.

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