A Thousand Plateaus

A Thousand Plateaus

2022 | MICHAEL WEIR
This thesis explores a speculative architectural future in response to the Anthropocene, an era marked by humanity's profound impact on Earth's ecosystems. The Anthropocene is defined by the accumulation of anthropogenic waste, such as microplastics and industrial carbon, which has created a new geological stratum. This waste threatens the stability of the biosphere, potentially leading to a Sixth Mass Extinction. The thesis proposes a shift from anthropocentric thinking to ecocentric perspectives, emphasizing the role of non-human entities in the built environment. Drawing from Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari's "A Thousand Plateaus," the thesis investigates how design can serve as a tool for rethinking the 'new earth.' The research focuses on three approaches: philosophical, ecological, and systematic. Philosophically, it explores 'rhizomatic' thinking, where systems grow nomadically without clear beginnings or ends. Ecologically, it addresses imbalance by using anthropogenic waste products to create artifacts that reflect non-human influence. Systematically, it considers the broader planetary scale of the Anthropocene, where systems adapt to changing conditions. The thesis employs iterative design experiments, integrating philosophical, ecological, and systematic approaches through computational simulations. These experiments aim to generate architectural artifacts that challenge anthropocentrism and promote ecocentric thinking. The research also explores the roles of the 'sorcerer' and 'artisan' as conceptual personas, with the sorcerer representing non-human influence and the artisan representing human-centered design. The study highlights the need for a new ontology that includes non-human elements and addresses the ethical and ecological implications of anthropogenic activities. By reconfiguring design processes, the thesis seeks to create a future where architecture reflects the interconnectedness of all life forms, promoting a more sustainable and balanced relationship with the environment. The research underscores the importance of rethinking design practices to align with the planetary scale challenges of the Anthropocene.This thesis explores a speculative architectural future in response to the Anthropocene, an era marked by humanity's profound impact on Earth's ecosystems. The Anthropocene is defined by the accumulation of anthropogenic waste, such as microplastics and industrial carbon, which has created a new geological stratum. This waste threatens the stability of the biosphere, potentially leading to a Sixth Mass Extinction. The thesis proposes a shift from anthropocentric thinking to ecocentric perspectives, emphasizing the role of non-human entities in the built environment. Drawing from Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari's "A Thousand Plateaus," the thesis investigates how design can serve as a tool for rethinking the 'new earth.' The research focuses on three approaches: philosophical, ecological, and systematic. Philosophically, it explores 'rhizomatic' thinking, where systems grow nomadically without clear beginnings or ends. Ecologically, it addresses imbalance by using anthropogenic waste products to create artifacts that reflect non-human influence. Systematically, it considers the broader planetary scale of the Anthropocene, where systems adapt to changing conditions. The thesis employs iterative design experiments, integrating philosophical, ecological, and systematic approaches through computational simulations. These experiments aim to generate architectural artifacts that challenge anthropocentrism and promote ecocentric thinking. The research also explores the roles of the 'sorcerer' and 'artisan' as conceptual personas, with the sorcerer representing non-human influence and the artisan representing human-centered design. The study highlights the need for a new ontology that includes non-human elements and addresses the ethical and ecological implications of anthropogenic activities. By reconfiguring design processes, the thesis seeks to create a future where architecture reflects the interconnectedness of all life forms, promoting a more sustainable and balanced relationship with the environment. The research underscores the importance of rethinking design practices to align with the planetary scale challenges of the Anthropocene.
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[slides and audio] A Thousand Plateaus