Terraven: Scarred Earth
Architecture in the Age of the Great Acceleration. Reviving the Shandong Mining Park. When everything has become synthetic, what is the meaning of architecture?
There is an overwhelming global evidence that geologic, biospheric,
atmospheric, hydrologic and other earth system processes are now altered through the
exploitation of natural resources by human activities. Leaving an extensive amount of
remnants from the anthropocentric activities on the already Scarred Earth, there is an
alarming denial or dismissal of this scientific consensus.
atmospheric, hydrologic and other earth system processes are now altered through the
exploitation of natural resources by human activities. Leaving an extensive amount of
remnants from the anthropocentric activities on the already Scarred Earth, there is an
alarming denial or dismissal of this scientific consensus.
Terraven starts the investigation through embracing the “Chemical Paradigm” by
Iain Hamilton Grant as a model of thinking about nature. Iain compares Chemistry’s
model of knowledge to other natural sciences, as a unique approach: “Analysis is one
part of the equation but one understands nothing until synthesis has taken place” The
Chemistry’s model added a visceral layer to the existing empirical method. In a sense,
the focus lies not on the ‘ nature of nature ’(metaphysics), but about ‘ recreating nature ’.
The injection of synthetic remnants from the stated cause at stake, becomes a means of
production to resynthesize nature. That is the synthetic ambition.
Iain Hamilton Grant as a model of thinking about nature. Iain compares Chemistry’s
model of knowledge to other natural sciences, as a unique approach: “Analysis is one
part of the equation but one understands nothing until synthesis has taken place” The
Chemistry’s model added a visceral layer to the existing empirical method. In a sense,
the focus lies not on the ‘ nature of nature ’(metaphysics), but about ‘ recreating nature ’.
The injection of synthetic remnants from the stated cause at stake, becomes a means of
production to resynthesize nature. That is the synthetic ambition.
Terraven explores the two sides of the Great acceleration. One that represents
the sublime quality of the remnants and the other the destructive anthropocentric
disruption. Collected data in Shandong province indicates a high percentage of
contamination in the water bodies found adjacent to the coal mines. The project is
situated in a defunct mine site as a catalyst to resynthesize the existing conditions.
Using the mountain terrace (result of the mining overburden method), containers are
carved to encompass the remnants (mine toxic tailings) and highlight its aesthetical and
tensional qualities. Containing the waste then allows it to circulate the toxins to the
Cenote situated inside an existing mining cave parallel to the containers.
the sublime quality of the remnants and the other the destructive anthropocentric
disruption. Collected data in Shandong province indicates a high percentage of
contamination in the water bodies found adjacent to the coal mines. The project is
situated in a defunct mine site as a catalyst to resynthesize the existing conditions.
Using the mountain terrace (result of the mining overburden method), containers are
carved to encompass the remnants (mine toxic tailings) and highlight its aesthetical and
tensional qualities. Containing the waste then allows it to circulate the toxins to the
Cenote situated inside an existing mining cave parallel to the containers.
The Cenote becomes a new machinic device that holds the means of production
where an unusual synthetic mix of matter occurs and a different material reality
emerges. The material produced then is printed into the context as a sort of reflection
and intervention driven by the remnants agentic characteristic. This process opens the
opportunity for a cultural discussion that invites us to participate; the more remnants, the
more printing. Terraven aims to make demonstrable discoveries about synthetic nature
the same way
where an unusual synthetic mix of matter occurs and a different material reality
emerges. The material produced then is printed into the context as a sort of reflection
and intervention driven by the remnants agentic characteristic. This process opens the
opportunity for a cultural discussion that invites us to participate; the more remnants, the
more printing. Terraven aims to make demonstrable discoveries about synthetic nature
the same way
Team Members: Edisson Cabrera + Zhen Bai
