ROOM FOR MULTISPECIES COEXISTENCE

Abstract

This project is a spatial design proposal for a conceptual hotel for humans, horses and other species, which aims to enhance human and more-than-human relationships and discuss issues around extensive urbanization and land use conflict between humans and other species. Since the project emphasize to animal welfare and coexistence, post-anthropocentric perspectives have played an important role in attempting to decenter the human during the design ideation process. The project is closely linked to multispecies practices in in the urban living environment. The research also refers to the Swedish equine industry and the future of stables. The aim of the project is to design a space which could inspire us to question our connections with local other-than human beings, make mindful consumption choices and contribute to a more sustainable and harmonious way of living. The main part of the project consists of a shared eating space for humans and other animals species, such as horses or deer. Various spatial arrangements have been designed to support the functioning of the conceptual hotel, each of which transmits different ideas, concerning multispecies relationships or issues faced in cohabitation environments. In the process, it was very important that the designed space had a beneficial effect on other-than-human species