The exhibition explored how technology influences our urban experience. Whether we like it or not, technology is deeply rooted in our everyday lives. As emerging technologies continue to evolve, and our cities morph and adapt, the relationship between technology and our urban environments grows more complex. Automobiles have become the drivers of urban landscapes; elevators have changed the vertical stack of property values; and innovations in engineering and materials have pushed the limits of what skyscrapers mean.

Whether by autonomous automobiles, UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), smart buildings, or hyperloop tunnels, the urban experience is undergoing remarkable change, and there is a growing need to find the balance.

While exploring many different facets of technology, the exhibition remained neutral in its presentation of different projects and technology as a whole. The flow throughout the show was oriented by different questions so that visitors could form their own thoughts around each project and whether it was improving how we interact with our surroundings or is a negative development for the human experience.

The exhibition largely asked how we can focus emerging technologies towards the human experience and develop best urban practices to make our cities more livable, equitable, and sustainable.

After exploring past, current, and possible future projects and innovations, the show asked for feedback from visitors on how they think technology is and should shape our cities. Answers ranged from Uber for kids to biodegradable replacements for plastic products to a monorail between North and South Stations.

There were also many chances for visitors to get more involved with a variety of exhibition topics through a series of nine panel discussions, tours, family events, and lectures held throughout the run of the exhibition.

If you missed the exhibition, don’t fret—Balancing Act doesn’t end in Boston. Thanks to a generous grant from the American Institute of Architects, the exhibition is packaged and ready to travel to other institutions and will be on view at AIA Seattle’s Center for Architecture and Design from December 5, 2019 through February 22, 2020. Interested in having Balancing Act come to your gallery space? Contact [email protected] for more information and availability.

Read more about Balancing Act news below.

Teens Design for the Autonomous Block (BSA)

Balancing Act Panel Discusses How Technology Can Work to Better Our Cities (BSA)

Review of Balancing Act: Urbanism & Emerging Technologies (Scott Burnham)

At Boston’s BSA Space, a New Exhibition Explores the Latest Smart City Tech (Metropolis)

A Look at the “Utopian and Dystopian Boston” On Display at the BSA Space (AmericanInno)