Interfaces: A multispecies urban habitat

Abstract

The separation of humans and nature is central to the environmental crisis. The philosophical foundation of society that humans stands above all other species is problematic. The lack of everyday life relations to other species leads to a lost connection, identity and knowledge about our environment and ourselves as a part of a network. The large-scale solutions, that amplifies the dualistic structures, is a too simple answer in a world of complex ecosystems. Nature is an intangible phenomenon often described as opposed to human creations. The aesthetical principle of the natural environment is often created by the species inhabiting and always houses a wide diversity of life forms. The local species are shaped over long time and well adapted to the local climate. This thesis aims to explore multispecies negotiations and the interface between architecture and landscape, urban and rural, humans and non-humans. To in a speculative way question the current hierarchies and what a more equal right could mean spatially. To shed light on how human made structures are part of nature and why non-human agencies need to be accepted. To def ine a ground for architectural discussions regarding questions of other species and f ind arguments for empathy, to reach a multispecies agreement of a sustainable future. This is done through speculative drawings, writing and hypothetically designed situations of cohabitation. The theoretical framework widens by interdisciplinary literature studies and is supported by theorists and architects from posthuman perspectives. By learning from the scales of different species, investigations through spatial design search for multispecies interfaces. This thesis results in a collection of knowledge and understanding of issues for different species agencies. It reflects on how to talk about values and settle agreements in a multispecies coexistence. A speculation on how to work with temporality and shared habitation within the urban landscape. This to strengthen the local community and interspecies relationships in everyday life. This thesis portrays a scenario of seasonal dwelling related to spatial negotiations and multispecies design.