Karmen works on the crossroads between design, architecture, art and science. Her research focuses on active materials, sonic interaction, design methods and sensorymotor (or enactive) experience, resulting in projects ranging from haptic interfaces for stroke rehabilitation to responsive urban environments. By introducing interactive technologies into physical architecture and public space, Karmen’s artworks aim to stimulate social interaction and to raise awareness of the surroundings and its diverse ecologies. They have been presented at Ircam/Centre Pompidou (Paris), SF Cameraworks (San Francisco), Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo(Torino), Bienal Miami + Beach, Museum of Modern Art (Ljubljana), Far Eastern Memorial Foundation (Taipei) and others.
Karmen holds the Laurea degree with Honors from Istituto Universitario diArchittetura di Venezia, and the Master’s degree from the Interaction Design Institute Ivrea. She worked as a project designer on architectural projects with AltenArchitekten, Studio ArchA, Studio Sottass, Arata Isozaki and Associates, and Arup. Karmen is the co-founder of Zero-Th studios and the head of Interaction Design group at Zurich University of the Arts.