Invasive Species
Patrick T. Curran Fellowship, 2023
In addition to the radical procedural shift in design practice and fabrication over the last few decades, the implications of digital transformation have been critical in shaping the built environment, public realm, and the interactions within.
An explosion of cyber-physical systems has taken over the urban landscape. Autonomous cars now dominate the streets. Location-based apps and navigation tools have reshaped our spatial awareness. 5G palms have become an invasive species. Public art has evolved into Instagrammable spectacles, and geo-referenced apps and games have introduced unprecedented urban activities.
Yet, the central question remains: How do we design and shape the physical world to respond to the digital realm?
Conducted within the Patrick T. Curran Fellowship, Invasive Species looks at the transformation of the urban landscape in light of the digital turn. The project started with a field trip across China and a series of panels and discussions in Shanghai and Shenzhen, and culminated in a public presentation in San Francisco.