Electric city: Affectionate manifestations of electric infrastructure
Publicerad
Författare
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
This thesis investigates electric infrastructure architecture
in a post-carbon future. The aim is to explore
how approaches of love and affection, combined with
a thorough system understanding of the electric grid,
can shift the relation between a city’s residents and
its electric system. The thesis speculates on how a
reimagined architecture of visible electric infrastructure
objects can reterritorialize energy and promote a
deeper societal engagement with sustainability, fostering
a sense of ownership and responsibility among
urban inhabitants towards their energy consumption
and environmental footprint. Taking cues from current
architectural discourse on infrastructure, by theorists
such as Hélène Frichot and Céline Condorelli, the thesis
advocates for the humanization of infrastructure
through poetic pragmatism, making it more relatable
and meaningful.
To research this topic, the thesis employs a combination
of diagramming, mapping, and development
of design strategies as methods. Diagramming was
used to analyse the sprawling network of the electric
grid in Stockholm, identifying the visual and functional
presence of substations, electrical cabinets and light
fixtures throughout the urban landscape. Through mappings
of current manifestations of electric infrastructure
an “atlas” is created, assessing the visual impact of
infrastructure and exploring its architectural potential.
Building upon the philosophies of designers such as Dieter
Rams and François Dallegret, the design strategies
lay a foundation for an architectural expression that reflects
the pragmatism of a technical system while also
becoming an object that people can feel affection for.
The thesis proposes a series of speculative infrastructural
interventions in three different scales set in the
urban fabric of Stockholm. The design process employs
strategies that turn infrastructure into an architectural
matter, beyond something merely functional. The interventions
try to bring a poetic pragmatism into their
function and expression, which is grounded in care
and attention to detail, where the detail becomes a
tool to express affection and craftsmanship. Inserted
into the city, the interventions subtly renew the urban
fabric. They reflect a commitment to a more thoughtfully
crafted and sustainable built environment, while
also redefining of our relation to infrastructure. Overall,
the thesis sets out to redefine the boundaries of architectural
practice by engaging with topics and objects
often seen as insignificant to architecture.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Infrastructure, Affection, Love, Poetic Pragmatism