Report Cover, image : Abandoned Tidal Power Plant, Norway / credit authors
Undone – The Return to Earth
Emilia Hurd and Julia Smachylo / Grant $6,500
What becomes of our landscape architectural projects as they age and evolve?
Undone - The Return to Earth is envisioned as a published book and a web resource. Landscape architects conceive, craft and construct; however, is there an alternative future end state to consider as part of the design process?
By bringing together rich descriptions, diagrammed depictions and in-depth interviews, our intent is to examine the status quo of fast construction, fast consumption and obsolescence and use this as a powerful motive for reflection on our design process. Theoretical and technical research will document the physical, chemical, biological and cultural agents of these processes. In addition, real-world case studies act as hybrid examples of how these processes recombine and impact the world. Whether through abandonment and neglect, or active demolition. Our research serves as a way to assert the end-of-life as an essential design consideration and point of speculation in the formulation of constructed projects. Not only do these realities re-frame how projects are conceived and designed, they challenge us to find other means to have a positive impact.