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Metabolism and degrowth
To design for a post-growth culture, we must employ a low-tech, resource-conscious approach. Rather than looking at individual solutions per household, this research investigates the city as a complex metabolic system.
We focus on mapping and reimagining the flows of energy, water, waste, materials, and green infrastructure. By understanding the close relationship between raw resources, energy, and material usage, the studio aims to propose circular design strategies that maximize both environmental and social impact.
The process: from 'S' to 'XL'
The methodology of the studio forces a radical shift in scale. We do not start with a masterplan, we start with a fragment.
The micro-scale (S): During the initial site fieldwork, the investigation is anchored by selecting a single physical element found on the terrain: a stone, a plant, a discarded cup, a piece of cloth, or a scrap of metal. We decode its specific metabolism by investigating its fabrication cycle, material qualities, embedded knowledge, and potential for reuse.
The macro-scale (XL): This single element becomes the foundational building block to understand broader urban impacts. The micro-analysis scales up into a comprehensive material flow analysis (MFA) of the neighbourhood.
A manifesto for the future
The research culminates in a manifesto for Schaarbeek-Vorming. This is not a traditional architectural blueprint, but an inspiring, long-term urban-landscape vision. By translating their findings into a visually compelling statement, the next generation of city-makers defines their critical standpoint on how we can live, work, and move in a post-growth urban environment.