Moments of collapse: A design exploration of humans fragile relationship to nature and time

Abstract

By looking at the aftermath of a forest fire it is clearly visible how a natural phenomenon can fully transform and destroy both nature and human construction. In many ways it completely opposes our idea of nature as peaceful and passive. The forest fire becomes a symbol for humans’ fragility, and how this phenomenon is increasing as the result of our civilisations’ vain dreams of immortality. This thesis takes its point of departure in the many problems of today evoking strong feelings of being a part of a living world that breaks down; feelings of collapse. The world is acting unfamiliary, where nature becomes a threat that is impossible to control. As an exploration about natural collapses through the material of clay, this thesis is an attempt to discuss the fragile relationship between humans and nature, and how this can be mediated through architecture. This approach to design finds its inspiration in the phenomenological discourse, where the study of phenomena is used to generate architecture that provides spatial experiences. The duality of clays as a material with the possibility to mediate a deeper reflection on time, made the material especially relevant to investigate. The thesis contains a design proposal based on an imaginary context, situated in the aftermath of a burnt landscape. In this unstable and transforming landscape, a set of architectural structures is placed to keep the nature in control; an eternal manifestation demonstrating moments of collapse. Through an illustrated series of spaces, the proposal seeks to discuss the contrast between being in nature and being an observer of nature. The nature is represented as an odd, ever changing object while stable architectural elements become something familiar to hold onto. Between the two there is an equilibrium with no preset lifetime, just the tension. The purpose is to first and foremost act as a thinking space to mediate an experience where all the senses are interacting, meant to evoke feelings and thoughts of existence. The design proposal allows nature to manifest itself and be a part of the architectural form and representation. Using this approach, the outcome of this thesis is considered to be an example of how architecture and design methodology can question human relationship to nature and time.