Local Cultures – Global Spaces

Abstract

With diminishing resources and rapid species extinction reaching unprecedented levels globally, much of this a result of human interaction, it is fundamental to reconsider the role of architecture and its effect on climate change and biodiversity loss. By challenging the way future architects think about their impact on the environment and the living systems their projects become part of, the importance of the relationship between human, animal and plant life is reflected upon as is the role of design disciplines in catalysing social-innovation outcomes. This paper documents a pedagogical approach to teaching architecture that asked students to respond to the challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss by investigating multi-species cohabitation. This particular case study has a particular focus on birds, humans and native plant life in the Canning River Regional Park in Western Australia, which is comprised of salt marshes, billabongs, lush forest and woodland, home to birds and other wildlife that shelter in the eucalypts, sheoaks, paperbarks and sedgelands and is traditionally owned by the Whadjuk people. Students were additionally given the opportunity to work with mycelium-based bio-composite materials with the purpose of exploring new material expressions in order to create a cast-surface landscape that becomes a platform for cross-species exchange.