SPECULATIVE DESIGN
Speculative Design
Speculative design is a practice that translates critical thought into materiality. It aims to challenge the status quo, identify shortcomings and redesign better versions of technologies and systems. While it critiques, it is not necessarily negative, but highlights weaknesses and offers alternatives, applying this to larger, more complex issues. It is often directed at the technology industry, and beyond that, general social theory, politics, and ideology. It uses fiction to speculate on future products, services and systems to examine the probable, plausible, possible and preferable implications. It creates discussion about alternatives and encourages imagination.
Brief
Cities are designed and built for people, but we share our cities with millions of non-human lives. Canberra is celebrated as “the bush capital”, but the reality is more complex. Our city hosts threatened species as well as kangaroo culls; pristine forests and feral carp; possum boxes and cat containment zones. Climate change and population growth are changing the city around us. How might we share this environment, now and into the future, on sensitive sites such as Ginninderry?
Through research and creative investigation, develop imaginative designs that materialise and interrogate possible futures, or make critical interventions in the present. Use the Ginninderry development as the site and context for your design. Draw on the landscape and ecosystems of this sensitive site, and the ambitious aims and philosophy of the project.
Research
I critically evaluated Ginninderry’s project vision and development plans, while researching what the environment will be like in 2050 (when the development will be in its final stage) by examining climate change data for Australia. I also researched the ACT government and CSIRO’s plans to protect the threatened Little Eagle, and Ginninderry’s own plans to protect the species. I found their plans to manage the survival of the species was contradictory to what CSIRO and the ACT government had outlined, with a report that stated the species would be adversely affected by the development, despite Ginninderry strongly promoting their Little Eagle conservation efforts. Another major contradiction of values and development plans was found in a news article that stated the developer had applied for an environmental impact statement exemption for Ginninderry. The application showed an inevitable impact on high-value habitat for endangered species.
Response
I took a highly critical stance, examining the unintended consequences of cohabitation and critiquing Ginninderry’s current values and future plans. I interrogated our community’s social and cultural values, by extrapolating on current trends. Through my designs, I sought to materialise a possible future where Ginninderry’s plans of cohabitation have begun to fail. To build my speculative scenario, I drew on climate change data, species management plans, social trends, and community behaviour.
During a visit to Ginninderry, a representative briefly mentioned raising fences to allow snakes to pass through. I was surprised that a widely feared species was used as an example of cohabitation, and thought it may be problematic in the future, especially as Ginninderry becomes more populated. This inspired me to use snakes as a dramatic way of communicating my criticisms.
My primary concern was how successfully Ginninderry will reconcile their strong ecological values with economic prosperity in the future. I don’t believe all residents will share the same values, but instead, buy into the area for an easy, affordable lifestyle. I decided to examine the implications of a small community, where not everyone shares the same fundamental values. I intended to engage an audience by creating a provocative body of work that centres around a narrative. I designed visual material to assist in telling the story, materialise the scenario and further inform the audience of social implications.
My speculative scenario takes place in 2038, when Ginninderry is in its final stage of development with almost 30,000 residents. It’s full of young families who have just purchased their first homes. Climate change has resulted in longer, hotter summers with unbearable 50°C days. Native species have moved further into urban environments, including snakes. Residents have had to adjust their lifestyles. Ginninderry has maintained its ecological values and is still committed to the conservation of all species, even those that may pose a threat to the community. Ginninderry has continued to involve the community in decision making, working hard to maintain its reputation, following
backlash from the Little Eagle extinction in 2026. There is tension within the community, as conflicting views become more apparent in the event of a tragedy.
I drew on common social trends I have observed, particularly online. Often, community debates occur online through Facebook comments. Parents are constantly being criticised on social media for their choices, whether this is excessively coddling their children or being irresponsible. People are quick to blame a higher power, make their voice heard on social media and take action to incite change (creating a hashtag, a change.org page, protesting).
Facebook comments
change.org page
