Whiteness & Spacial Consequence

Abstract

Architecture is humanity. Spacial humanity. Architecture isn’t just making a wall, a floor, or a window. We, as architects, analyze human movement, need, and connection. Architects study how space works for human needs and are responsible for reflecting on if the solutions are good solutions for actual people. Beyond the aesthetics, which are tedious since they are subjective, the architect is responsible for considering what happens in space. What movement does it dictate? What behavior does it encourage? Architecture is realizing that social injustices affect space. The consequences of racism and colonialism are translated into spaces we use daily. This thesis explores these issues in Gothenburg and proposes a way to intervene and teach about them, through architectural, speculative, design. The thesis uses a few different concepts to speak about Gothenburg in a decolonizing way: confession, heritage, borders, exile, participation, listening, representation, neighboring, hospitality, decolonization, profanation and returns. To activate these concepts different methods are used: photogrammetry, to uncover truths; infographics, to be educational; cartography, to be bold; interviews, to act as a humble listener; ironic design, to point out fault of current power structures; speculative design, to ignite thought; and journaling, to reflect on my part in structural racism. Above all, using graphic, architectural material as a means of provoking a discussion. It ends up with a few different suggestions on how to welcome new residents of Gothenburg while simultaneously commenting on how not to do it. In particular, the thesis shows how to take account of the narratives of space and places with the help of speculative design. The thesis invites and critiques whiteness as a construct and border in the built environment and deals with institutional racism, and my own position of power. Supported by stories and the narratives of space the thesis adds to a discourse and is an activated piece of anti-racist work, reflecting on the architect’s accountability and calling to action.