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Reviewed by:
  • Atmosphere 5/Ecology + Design
  • Rob Zonneveld (bio)
Atmosphere 5/Ecology + DesignSymposium at Faculty of Architecture, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada February 7–9, 2013

The goal of this annual symposium is to “explore issues that are intangible and overlooked in design, planning, and architecture, those difficult to pin down, document, or record with conventional instruments and methodologies” (http://umanitoba.ca/architecture/atmosphere/about.html). This year’s conference—ATMOS/5—focused on Ecology + Design. The symposium is supported and funded in part by local professional bodies—Manitoba Association of Architects (MAA), Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects (MALA), Manitoba Professional Planners Institute (MPPI)—and the Faculty of Architecture Endowment Fund.

From a landscape architecture perspective, it was intriguing because it brought together multiple design disciplines—architects, landscape architects, interior designers and planners—carrying with them various understandings of what is “ecological,” how it is interpreted, and what this means for design. Organizers encouraged participants to reflect on “ecology” and, via the conference website, to consider the following questions: How do we teach and practise ecology in design disciplines today? How can we or how do we make ecology relevant in our design practice and scholarship? How and when do issues of ecology challenge our existing modes of scholarship and practice, in design disciplines? What are the emerging opportunities and dilemmas in design practice and pedagogy when dealing with ecology?

These questions were to initiate a discussion that would be inclusive for academics and professionals in practice as well as students, educators, and researchers. This was not a simple task since each of the four disciplines, as well as individuals within the design disciplines, come to the table with varying perceptions and understanding of what is ecology.

The catalyst for critical thinking at ATMOS/5 was an eclectic group of six keynote speakers and 21 session presenters. The opening keynote was Maria Aiolova on Urbaneering Utopia—a visually inspiring presentation of her thoughts and work at Terreform ONE (Open Network Ecology) and ONE Lab NY School for Design and Science. Based in Brooklyn, Aiolova practices and teaches research-based design and through her non-profit practice has created a venue to consider “outside the box” design such as the “blimp bus,” and growing chairs and buildings through manipulating trees and other vegetation. The design/reseach approach to practice is key to her thinking which is founded in science and brought to life through multi-disciplinary collaborations.

As a recent PhD graduate, I found her practice, which she describes as nonprofit research-based (focusing on theory, science, and application) inspiring. Aiolova operates outside conventional academic and design practice, and demonstrates a willingness to rethink how to perceive cities, buildings and fabrication. Her presentation ended with a video that proposed a “future north” where key parts of cities from around the world are physically removed and transplanted to the northern reaches of our planet.

Although applauded for a wicked use of science and imagination, one has to wonder about the ecological consequences of transplanting cities (that evolved from specific places) to a truly untouched wilderness. Unfortunately these consequences were not brought to light. Although a scientific method and collaboration are important in this work, and the construct of [End Page 131]non-profit research based practice was introduced, it is less clear how this type of design inquiry is contributing to practice/design knowledge and specifically to issues of ecology. Although creatively stunning the audience was left to connect the dots.

Keynote speaker Matt Kondolf, a fluvial geomorphologist and environmental planner from UC Berkeley, addressed “Meanders, Dreams, and Realities in River Management and Restoration.” Kondolf focuses on the natural system, considering the idea to “let rivers be rivers,” allowing streams to be dynamic living things where erosion, tree recruitment, and life stages take place. Kondolf explained the need for restoring stream connectivity both longitudinally and laterally, as well as social constructs, such as the cultural preferences for “meanders” and a need for spontaneous uses. His approach to restoration was based on a “process typology” and reveals the importance of understanding ecological systems and the interface with human use. Kondolf reminds us that natural ecology is an ever-present process and we...

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