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Cross-Species Test Sites

Investigating relationships between humans and non-human urban inhabitants through multispecies interfaces, bio-receptive materials, and physical prototypes.

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Fall 2019

A4863 · Selected student projects

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

Student project by Xin Qin · Fall 2019
Cross-Species Test Sites

Illustrated project documentation for Good Fences Make Good Neighbors by Xin Qin.
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors · Xin Qin · Fall 2019.

Project film

Student project by Jules Kleitmann · Fall 2019

View film documentation

Spring 2019

A4863-1 · Selected student projects

Seahorse Exchange

Student project by Michael Alexander Mc Dowell · Spring 2019
Cross-Species Test Sites

A waterfront proposal connecting public space above the water with structures for seahorses below. Collages and a section drawing explore the relationship between shoreline visitors and submerged habitat.

A collage shows visitors and proposed pink structures along a waterfront railing.
Waterfront proposal collage · Michael Alexander Mc Dowell · Spring 2019.
A section drawing connects a public waterfront above the water with a submerged habitat structure.
Section through the proposed shoreline habitat · Michael Alexander Mc Dowell · Spring 2019.
A proposal collage shows branching submerged structures with seahorses.
Seahorse habitat concept collage · Michael Alexander Mc Dowell · Spring 2019.

Ratelier

Student project by Matteo Cordera · Spring 2019
Cross-Species Test Sites

A prototype situated in an urban alley, paired with a concept diagram exploring rats, pigment and mark-making.

A white-box Ratelier prototype is installed in a narrow outdoor alley.
Ratelier, site documentation · Matteo Cordera · Spring 2019.
An overhead concept diagram shows a pink-framed surface, a drawn rat, and pigment tubes and containers.
Ratelier, concept diagram · Matteo Cordera · Spring 2019.

Soilcell3000

Student project by Julia Pyszkowski · Spring 2019
Cross-Species Test Sites

Four people sit on grass around a colorful rounded prototype connected to cables and devices.
Soilcell3000, prototype documentation · Julia Pyszkowski · Spring 2019.
A Soilcell3000 project board shows a rendered green rounded device with sockets, a tablet, phones, and pads.
Soilcell3000, project board · Julia Pyszkowski · Spring 2019.

Raptor Vending Machine

Student project by Michael Lu · Spring 2019
Cross-Species Test Sites

A device exploring relationships between birds of prey and urban rodents. A site photograph, relationship diagram and section document the design proposal.

A prototype device is mounted on a tree in an outdoor setting.
Tree-mounted device, site photograph · Michael Lu · Spring 2019.
A diagram uses arrows to connect birds of prey, rodents and proposed devices.
Bird, rodent and device relationship diagram · Michael Lu · Spring 2019.
A section drawing shows the proposed device in relation to a tree and the ground.
Device and landscape section · Michael Lu · Spring 2019.
More student projects · Spring 2019

Recolonizing

Student project by Sadie Dempsey · Spring 2019
Cross-Species Test Sites

Original project documentation for Recolonizing by Sadie Dempsey.
Recolonizing · Sadie Dempsey · Spring 2019.
Original project documentation for Recolonizing by Sadie Dempsey.
Recolonizing · Sadie Dempsey · Spring 2019.
Original project documentation for Recolonizing by Sadie Dempsey.
Recolonizing · Sadie Dempsey · Spring 2019.
Original project documentation for Recolonizing by Sadie Dempsey.
Recolonizing · Sadie Dempsey · Spring 2019.
Original project documentation for Recolonizing by Sadie Dempsey.
Recolonizing · Sadie Dempsey · Spring 2019.
Course outline

This course investigates the complex relationships between humans and non-human urban inhabitants. Students study urban animal wildlife, indicator species, and microbial communities and work with biologists and ecologists to identify new potentials in designing for biological systems. Through the process of fabricating, situating and testing prototypes, we aim to create a reflective space for deeply considering the details of these new interactions, and to discover unforeseen opportunities, twists and challenges. Project outcomes are physical devices in the form of multispecies interfaces, bio-receptive materials, and infrastructure modifications that propose new multispecies collaborations across all scales.

Goals

  • Study relationships between human and non-human urban inhabitants.
  • Fabricate, situate and test prototypes for biological systems.
  • Use design iteration to reflect on multispecies interactions and collaboration.