ARC3020Y F
Instructor(s): Stephen Verderber
Meeting Section: L0111
Tuesday, 9:00am - 1:00pm, 2:00pm - 6:00pm

The natural environment—as defined since the Age of Enlightenment–no longer makes sense as a backdrop, or stage to be viewed apart from our daily existence. From this point on, our existence is precariously interdependent with our ecological surroundings. The age of cheap, abundant, infinitely “consumable” commodified nature and landscape is over. Theorists and researchers across a broad swath of disciplines, including sociology, geography, anthropology, psychiatry, public health, gerontology, literary theory, art, architecture and planning are critically re-examining the possibilities of a post-humanities. This reappraisal represents a paradigmatic shift beyond traditional definitions of humanism and the humanities. As the earth’s non-renewable reserves are unraveling, being drained, burned, depleted, poisoned, exterminated or otherwise nearly exhausted, the Anthropocene marks the end of the refugia—the last semblance of an untouched utopia where humanity could be entirely free from the consequences of the debacle we created. We must now face the consequences, everywhere, actions already reshaping our everyday lives.

Post-humanist perspectives, in opposition to classical definitions of the humanities, are therefore closely tied to the view we can no longer think of ourselves as an exceptionalist species, free to carelessly think and act as we wish with respect to all other life forms, inanimate entities, and “things.” The status quo must change. Humans’ long dominance of non-human life forms, earth, and “things” has led to where we are. As an alternative, posthumanism is an inclusive rather than exclusive paradigm, as it explicitly refers to our species’ capability to view ourselves as no greater in any way than our non-human surroundings. Post-humanist thinking and actions, framed as more-than-human arguments with respect to the planning, design, and stewardship of the built environment, are of essential concern in the Anthropocene—new perspectives capable of theoretically and pragmatically transcending anachronistic classical perspectives which dominated intellectual life for centuries.

Transactions between the environment and human health have been of concern in medicine since Galen’s theory of the four humours sought to explain disease as a dialectical relationship between bodily constitution, environmental, and societal hazards. The rise of germ theory and medicalist models of sickness and disease would later undermine this dialectic, with the emergence of public health as a discipline in the Victorian era and the retainment of “humouralist” concerns, i.e. the deleterious impacts of toxic factory town environments upon inhabitants’ public health, resulting in the then-new field of epidemiology. The Anthropocene has triggered important new questions and subsequent narratives with respect to how to ecologically co-exist, with examples ranging from indigenous societies to rural communities which have successfully, across generations, sustained close, mutually rewarding connectivity with nature while remaining cognizant of mutual co-dependencies and co-evolutionary realities of all living and non-living things. These co-dependencies manifest in deeply embedded human-nature-landscape interrelationships within traditionally eco-symbiotic communities, such as in Canada’s indigeneous Far North communities.

By 2050, nearly 80% of the world’s population will reside in coastal zones. The menacing ramifications of the climate crisis, societal conflict, and pandemics poses a recipe for widespread chaos, disruption, and humanitarian suffering. Against this backdrop many societies around the globe are aging at an unprecedented rate, including in Japan, Europe, and North America. The World Health Organization (WHO) calls for research and development (R&D) in architecture and related built environments capable of anticipating natural disasters, pandemics, and population dislocations due to armed conflicts and other types of catastrophes. Architects, unfortunately, have yet to rise to the challenge. University-based professional schools of architecture in North America are failing to prepare for the massive changes ahead. Designing for healthcare calls for compassionately supporting medically underserved populations in these fundamental ways:

• Aesthetic Expression—Composition, massing, ambiance, visual imagery and human scale in accord with eco-humanist-inspired, therapeutic, restorative built environments that breathe.
• Residentialism—Residential spaces and exterior environs that promote safety, maximize personal health, foster dignity and self-empowerment.
• Nature/Landscape Engagement—Multiple options for residents, staff, family and visitors to engage with nature indoors and outdoors by means of salutogenic design, biophilia-inspited design principles, and spatial theraserialization.
• Ecologically Regenerative Design—The exploration of design concepts which go beyond merely sustaining existing nonrenewable resources but instead focus on design strategies which foster plus-net-zero buildings and places.
• Connectivity with Context—The ability of individuals and groups to feel genuinely connected to an active and supportive larger community context by means of walkable urban infrastructure and meaningful connections with nature.

Studio Format

The Fall 2023 Architecture + Health studio will specifically address the intersection between posthumanism in architecture, health equity, and the climate crisis. Each member of the studio will develop their own independent thesis. Salutogenic and biophilic design principles will be examined, rooted in visual and non-visual connections, non-rhythmic sensory stimuli, thermal and airflow variability, the presence of water, dynamic and diffused light, complexity and order, landmarks, prospect, refuge, and mystery. Literature on these topics will be reviewed. Your work in the fall term establishes the framework for the thesis investigation in the Winter 2022 term. A thesis prospectus will be completed by the conclusion of the fall term. Each member of the studio receives support in developing this prospectus—which can reflect the fall studio’s core theme or address a different topic and building type within the diverse realm of design for health. In both terms, external reviewers will periodically contribute expertise in design reviews. A group field trip to the US or the UK may occur in the Winter 2024 term, subject to University of Toronto and international public health travel restrictions.