FEAST
2024.2 -2024.3
KEYWORDS: Speculative Design, Climate Change
FEATURE: Academic Group Project
About:
Our project culminated in the presentation of a short film that depicts a world twenty years in the future in which humans and birds coexist harmoniously. The film shows pristine and prosperous natural landscapes and depicts an idyllic scene of ecological prosperity.
The story revolves around a local resident who enters the park for a picnic and carefully prepares a meal, not only for herself but also to share with the birds, symbolizing a beautiful vision of mutually respectful coexistence. Our goal was to create a utopian image characterised by sunlit foliage and multi-species communities where humans, birds and other animals live in harmony
Starting Point.
Desk Research
Experts interview
Walthamstow Wetlands is a fully operational 211-hectare Thames Water reservoir site which is the main source of water supply for 3.5 million people. Walthamstow Wetlands is also an internationally important nature reserve, providing home and shelter to a wide range of wildlife, from rare waterfowl to majestic birds of prey.
Inspiration.
Field Research
Photography
The sound of the birds in this suburban sanctuary affected me the most; it was a sound I had never heard while growing up in an urban setting. It's interesting to point out that spotting the birds remained difficult despite our ability to hear them and with our application of professional lenses and binoculars.
The bird would only give us a fleeting glance before taking off again, every time we got closer to the source of its call. In addition, most birds spend their winters hibernating in tall nests.
Problems.
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Climate crisis impacts on biodiversity and immigration of birds, but there is no global assessment of impact direction.
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Human Pollution: light pollution, noise pollution, invasive species...
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Specific Problems: migration patterns, breeding seasons, habitat preferences, finding a home, food availability...
Paradox.
01.
This observation forms the basis for the theme of our project “Healing Bird Sounds and Industrialization influences”: Birdsong is a form of natural comfort for humans, but urbanisation and industrialization are weakening these sounds, presenting a paradox.
02.
The diet of birds: The incompatibility between human foods and what is safe or nutritious for birds, and vice versa. Even though they had no intention of feeding birds carelessly, 75% of the people we spoke with on campuses and in parks were unaware that human food is indigestible to birds, according to our survey, which exposed a significant knowledge gap.
Critical Questions.
How to switch the perspective of narrations by focusing on the experience of non-humans in a multi-sensory way?
Film.
Please turn on the computer microphone.
Design Process.
Collaboration:
To guarantee continuous progress, I led our team through the double-diamond design process.
We made contact with Clair from the Pimp Hall volunteer group and Dhush Selvarajah from the Walthamstow Wetland education team during the research stage. In addition to making it easier for us to go on multiple field visits, these encounters gave us insightful observations and knowledge about the behaviour and habitats of birds, the implications of the climate crisis on wetlands, and potential ways that design could lessen the effects of climate change
