Function of Dysfunction?

Hmmm not very clear.  Not sure why but this may help.  Is this along the lines of what your thinking about?  Things that are less utilitarian and more physical experiance driven?

Shortest distance between to points vs. most rewarding journey between 2 points.

also brings to mind an art project that I remember seeing by....I think Serra?  Where he placed a large mass in front of the entrance of a building forcing users to navigate around it.  It was quickly taken down.  Which raises the question if this is a volintary or involuntary obstruction in the "flow".........

i understand the physical activity trend. why do you mention cognitive ability (is it because studies show cognitive ability degeneration is stymied by exercise)?

perhaps you should consider which specific typology or 'sphere of life' you would like to explore, in which this trend you've noted is playing out. exactly where in society do you see an opportunity to adjust architecture and space to a more sedentary, or anti-sedentary milieu?

Thanks for the posts, these are very helpful in my search. I also found the following regarding the perception of disability: If the built environment can be made universally accessible by design, then the exclusion of pathologized bodies from social and built worlds is a construction of society rather than predetermined by biological lack or excess. Disability is a materialization of exclusions resulting from the imperceptibility or devaluation of the concerns of people whose bodies deviate from norms of health and wellness. In this usage, the availability of UD as a quality of the built environment operates as epistemic verification of a particular way of understanding disability.

Maybe I can tie this in with obstacles and the mentioned rewarding path idea investigation.