Janine Kropla

Moving Ground

Human activities have dramatically altered landscapes for centuries, involving mineral extraction, toxic waste disposal, and water contamination. As Allan Wexler states, we quite literally, “… lift earth skyward. We turn solid into void into solid.” ¹ 

In contemporary North American construction, especially prevalent in suburbs, the connection to the land has largely been lost. This detachment is evident from architectural drawings to the completion of suburban homes, emphasizing efficiency, standardization, and homogenization. Architectural depictions often oversimplify the ground, reducing its inherent complexity formed over geological epochs. Designers, distanced from specified materials, conceptualize components like insulated concrete foundations as 2D abstractions, overlooking the multitude of raw materials extracted from distant landscapes. Globalization exacerbates this detachment, erasing traces of raw materials, landscapes, and labour associated with manufacturing. The prevailing construction system, influenced by capitalism, policy, risk aversion, and proprietary systems, favours building materials devoid of regional identity and material strengths.

This thesis explores the interaction between extraction and deposition systems, focusing on how they influence urban architecture. Human history, mainly grounded in terrestrial landscapes, often overlooks the layers of history beneath the surface. The study aims to understand the impact of extraction and deposition processes on urban development. It questions whether architecture deeply connected to these processes can lead to a distinct urban form. The research critically examines the relationship between the ground and architectural theory, seeking insights into sustainable urban development. The goal is to contribute to a discussion on how architecture can play a role in creating environmentally conscious and socially responsive urban spaces amidst ongoing urban sprawl.

1. Paolo Agostinelli, “Breaking Ground 2011 - 2014: Allan Wexler,” Breaking Ground 2011 - 2014 | Allan Wexler, accessed October 9, 2023, http://www.allanwexlerstudio.com/projects/breaking-ground-2011-2014.