Engineers are often called on to practice reflexivity – to examine their own beliefs, assumptions, and biases, and implications for their engineering design and research praxis. Yet most engineering professions do not structurally allow for such reflexivity. In this project, we investigate how the design of spaces can support reflexivity.

We do so by taking inspiration from the design principles underlying Japanese Zen gardens – austerity (Koko), simplicity (Kanso), naturalness (Shinzen), asymmetry (Fukinsei), subtlety (Yugen), unconventionality (Datsuzoku), and Stillness (Seijaku) – to create reflexive spaces for engineering practice.