Living Challenge
A collaboration with the Indigenous Society of Architecture, Planning & Design that empowers earthen materials, local knowledge and the power of story in the design-build process.
Design-Build Brief
PROJECT NAME
BUDGET
OVERVIEW
OBJECTIVES
DESIGN BRIEF
Sentient Structures $0.00 Using at least three of the hands-on practices presented and the power of story, design and build a sentient structure, as a part of the living challenge series. Choose an outdoor site for a 10' x 10' structure, then let the story, site and surroundings guide your design. Spend time at your site.. Research the surrounding floral and faunal species. Learn how they work together symbiotically in the ecosystem. - Are there edible plants in the space? - What tree species inhabit that site and how do their and root systems connect? - Test the soil composition for clay, sand, rock and water? - Decide on a flexible program for habitation, cooking, discussion, inspiration, relaxation, archiving, etc . . . A site specific, bio-material based structure or infrastructure which integrates three or more hands-on practices to construct space for a multi-use, flexible program of your choice.
01
CONSIDER
What if, in some societies, money is the barrier to regenerative, nature based innovation? What if, in those societies, profit margins preference ease and efficiency, over health and survival? What if, successful environmental intervention requires a corporation ensuring monetary gain and long term production of a product or service? What if, in this society, technology leads to a type of dependence that stifles autonomy and engagement with the natural world? Have you seen societies, industries, technologies where all of the above scenarios exist? If so, what are the consequences of this societal approach—who and what gets compromised?
This challenge requires students, individuals, and communities to consider their relationship to their local, built environment. Then to reflect on the consequences of economic growth being the inspiration behind creation.
Next, play out what happens when the majority of people begin to work for a mission or corporation driven by a belief that money is survival and nature and time are to be parceled and sold. What would the world look like if this reality was considered the most advanced?
After each of these questions have been discussed and contemplated grapple with the following—what happens when you look beyond the most prevalent narrative being presented in your worldview?
Depending on geographical location, level of development within that location, and access to diversity of culture, these considerations may feel overly cynical or overly obvious. They may feel too distant to grapple with or too close to truly see. No matter where you stand in considering these questions, we ask that you go to your communities and engage with the various designs, structures and technologies you come across? As you observe, ask — what is the purpose behind this creation and does that purpose uplift the health and spirit of humans, and of the natural world?
02
IMAGINE
Imagine you were charged with uplifting an alternative perspective to the one presented above, specifically within the design-build process. This alternative perspective is rooted in ancestral knowledge that shifts power from corporation to community, and answers the question—how do we recenter the health, sustainability and the lifeforce of humans and nature, when it comes to how and what we create? Imagine when taking on this charge, you were given zero budget, only the natural, living resources around you t, and the generational skills passed on to you from other communities—hands-on practices that have been used time and time again to shelter, create art, food, safety and sustainability within spaces.
03
CREATION CRITERIA
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PURPOSE. Does the structure uplift the health, spirit and sustainability of humans and the natural world?
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MATERIALS Utilizing at least three of the hands-on practices, determine how they empower each other through a connective force?
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FUNCTION. Does the structure sustain rather than exploit?
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RESILIENCE Does the structure absorb disturbances and/or adapt to change?
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STORY Is the story behind the structure empowering its existence?
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INTEGRATION Does the structure work in isolation or does it work with other species and forces in the surrounding natural world?
04
COLLABORATE
Your mission is to engage with collaborators who are connected to the type of structure you are envisioning. Reach out to knowledge holders in your community, whether they be earthen builders, indigenous practitioners, storytellers, ecologists, artists, designers, or environmentalists. This will only strengthen your design.
Looking closely at the ten technologies highlighted in Lo—TEK Design by Radical Indigenism, we see that the regeneration of nature, and the health and well being of community, is a driving force of an intervention.
WHERE TO BEGIN...
First, visit and familiarize yourself with the hands-on practices in this digital database. It's a good idea to decide which practices are most feasible for you and your community. Start by engaging with the how-to videos, allowing these practices to inspire you.
Second, research the practices you're engaging with. What is the history behind the practice—the story? How diversified did this practice become? Was this practice geographically limited? Are there places it never reached and why? What is the story behind the practice in your location?
Living Earth
Conference
To enter your creation into the Living Earth Conference Summer 2025 email admin@lo-tek.com and receive register link and details.