When the wind becomes a problem
"When it's windy, I don't come up here."
This is what visitors said on the rooftop of the TU Delft Library, a place meant for taking a break, yet one that many of them avoid. Interviews and observation showed that wind can make the rooftop feel less inviting, even though it is simply part of everyday life in the Netherlands. Hence the question behind Fledgling: instead of hiding from the wind, how can it become an enjoyable experience, even for people who don't like it?
Designing the feeling of flight
Fledgling was developed through four tests and two prototype iterations, followed by a final test, exploring how wind, body position, comfort, movement, and vision could create the feeling of flying. It started with observations of how people experienced wind while climbing the rooftop, followed by tests with kites, bubbles, and foam gliders to explore different wind experiences and emotions.
An indoor skydiving study showed that more body surface catches more air and lifts more easily. When people were asked to draw themselves flying, everyone drew a body lying flat. Two prototypes turned this idea into an experience. The first used a wooden frame and harness, but the pressure was uncomfortable. A hammock-like support spread the pressure across the body, while elastic cords let the arms float and move freely. A final test compared forward vision, sky-reflecting mirror glasses, and covered eyes. Surprisingly, covered eyes produced the strongest feeling of flying.
Flying with the Wind
Fledgling turns an uncomfortable part of being outdoors into something people can enjoy. On the rooftop, wind is part of everyday life in the Netherlands, so the project does not try to block it. Instead, it makes the wind part of the experience. However, the feeling of flying depends on the real outdoor environment. The tests took place mainly indoors and could not fully recreate the rooftop's strong, changing wind, open view, height, and sky. The experience may therefore feel different outdoors. Wind, weather, height, and landscape are not just the setting; they are part of what makes the experience possible.
