In modern environments, humans often share their spaces with various wildlife, often unnoticed. Mongooses find refuge in the dark corners of our backyards, feral chickens wander our local parking lots, and myna birds incorporate our plastic debris into their nests. These interactions challenge us to rethink the boundaries between human and animal habitats and inspire the creation of co-habitable spaces. 

In this studio, students will embark on a collaborative journey to design innovative co-habitable spaces that foster a harmonious relationship between humans and local wildlife. Working in pairs, studio participants will conduct thorough research on the natural habitats of nearby animals, using this knowledge to propose creative solutions that thoughtfully blur the lines between the natural and built environment. 

Rather than creating traditional animal shelters, students are encouraged to think beyond, exploring imaginative design solutions that enhance the quality of life for both humans and animals. The goal is to create spaces that contribute positively to the local ecosystem, promoting coexistence and mutual benefit.

By the end of the studio, students will not only have conceptualized and prototyped a co-habitable space but also gained valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between humans and wildlife that enrich their lives. The emphasis is on pushing the boundaries of conventional design thinking to create environments that benefit all living creatures.

What is a co-habitable space? "Co-habitable spaces are structures intentionally designed to accommodate both human and wildlife populations, fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and local animals.

Learning Goals: 

• Design for/around wildlife
• Research local wildlife and current issues surrounding them
• Devise intervention strategies to promote co-habitable environments
• Create site-specific work based on observations, surveying, and research
• Formulate “Use-Cases” and represent anticipated interaction/utilization