Marginal Future: Architecture in Anthropocene

This speculative design project deals with the new role of architecture in the environments within an Anthropocene Era to create positive change and lasting impact. The task of this project was to design a speculative and inhabitable “Machine for Nature” specifically built for a particular biome, which would be responsive to environmental issues discovered through 5 weeks long research in the studio. This project deals with African Savanna.

In African Savanna, Grasslands are being encroached by both woodland and deserts. On the one hand, global warming generated desertification. On the other hand excessive increase of Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has initiated the Carbon-di-oxide fertilization effect, which means the increased amount of Carbon-di-oxide in the atmosphere is working as a fertilizer for the woodlands. Hence, the woodlands are growing fast and hampering the whole ecosystem of the grassland. To address this problem, this project incorporates a “machine”, which absorbs Carbon-di-oxide and produces energy for the climate refugees of the savanna. This machine is dismantle-able and movable. The locations for placing the machines will be determined by the density of Carbon-di-oxide of a particular area. When the level of atmospheric Carbon-di-oxide will reduce, the machine will be removed from that location. The energy produced by the machine will be used to accommodate a mobile research facility. The habitable modules can be added to provide shelter and support for the climate refugees. Throughout the design process the following questions have been investigated: How does the machine connect to local ecology? What is the potential for smart materials or responsive energy generation systems within structure and space? How can a systematic approach to ecology simultaneously be a radical spectacle?

Studio Critic: Lory Brown, Julie Larsen