Abstract
Our ancestors once exploited nature extensively to solve political and scientific challenges, but we’ve moved beyond this lavish stance (Latour, 2004). The idea of abundant resources is mythical; ecological crises stem from depleting resources through human activity. Haraway characterizes our current state as a “thick present,” urging us to engage with it fully and employ speculative fabulations to navigate its complexities (Haraway, 2016). Waste pervades our environment, altering landscapes (FeralAtlas). Thus, anthropocentric endeavours haunt our landscapes, aiming to transform them for ambitious futures through excavation, construction, and demolition (Tsing et al., 2017). We must strive to envision a future where design, architecture, and spatial narratives align with our current challenges. In the studio, we explored latent moments of architecture’s marginalized presence, grappling with its struggles to remain relevant amidst the chaos of our current reality. These projects are laments on contested landfills near residential areas and protected wetlands. These are critical manoeuvres, navigating through trash and debris, where architecture’s existence is questioned yet it continues to fulfil its programmatic responsibilities. This project embodies a Kafkaesque quality, blending pristine architectural ideals with a gradual unbecoming. It challenges conventional architectural practices, envisioning a future where decay and impermanence are embraced for resilience in our challenging present. The paper discusses outcomes from undergraduate and graduate studios, focusing on architecture’s role in the ubiquitous waste.
Presenters
Bihter AlmaçDesign Tutor, Researcher, Department of Architecture, Istanbul Technical University, Turkey
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Architectonic, Spatial, and Environmental Design
KEYWORDS
Architecture studio, Waste, Landfill, Architecture design research
