In recent years the image of the world as a dynamic yet stable and predictable ecosystem has been disrupted and accelerated due to various breaks in different prediction patterns. Natural catastrophes, resource overmining, deforestation, desertification, food scarcity, mass migration, are all interconnected in one way or another, or at least all part of the same kind of crisis. However, the notion of ‘collapse’, in our case and as will be explored through the seminar, does not necessarily entail a downfall or an apocalyptic end, but rather the understanding that through continued accelerated modes of technologies, mediatization and interactions across various architectural and urban scales everything is connected, entangled, and ‘collapsing’ into one another.
The seminar will emphasise narrative and worlding as a means to critically analyse pressing issues of our times, discussing themes through hashtags (see below), constructing potential realities which include buildings and landscapes, as well as finer grain details that reveal behaviours and overall atmospheres through the use of video game engines. Each group will select a specific city and examine its past, present and future. Starting from a research driven approach, a specific topic distinct to each city will be established and form the basis for determining what role architecture will play.
Each team will design three things:
Understanding the ‘everything’ of today and projecting it forward, the goal of the seminar is to test the combination of geo-engineering, policy, design, and speculative fiction into hybrid architectures as part-ecosystem, part-machine, part-space.
“COLLAPSE!” is a speculative brief designed to provoke imaginations and strategies of architecture that asks “what if?”. Some questions might sound like:
Hashtags: Each team will start with a detective wall that develops a series of relationships around particular #hashtags – these will serve as entry points into a particular issue and will become the basis for speculation.
At course completion the student will:
Abstract: The Anthropocene has seen exponential growth in technology, enabling humans to transform their environment and exploit natural resources on an unprecedented scale having led to widespread environmental changes, including climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and alterations in the Earth’s landforms and water systems. However, the unequal distribution of resources and power has also led … Read more
Abstract In response to Indonesia challenges, of relocating its capital from Jakarta, we unveil Nusantara, a visionary urban project nestled in the Borneo jungle. Promising a harmonious blend of nature and technology, Nusantara offers sustainable living, AI-driven experiences, and cultural richness. However, beneath its shimmering facade lies a deeper irony. While Nusantara symbolizes progress, it … Read more
In the year 2044, escalating city taxes have rendered travel to major urban centers unattainable for many, ushering in a period of decline for once-thriving cities. However, Rome emerges as a beacon of innovation, reversing its tax policies and spearheading the transformative “La Bolla” project. Through this initiative, Rome reclaims its status as a vibrant … Read more
Chronicles of the unseen Continent Source: https://www.iucn.org/ This animation shows the early onset of the Antarctic ozone hole in early July, 2023, and its fast progress throughout August. (Image credit: Copernicus) ABSTRACT“Frozen Mirage” unfolds in the icy embrace of Antarctica, where a remote research station serves as the stage for a tale of intrigue … Read more
