Welcome to the public defence of Sebastian Gatz's doctoral thesis on Transmundane Architecture

Transmundane Architecture: Architectural Control Relationships Through the Lens of More-than-Human Onto-Epistemologies, Degrowth Practices and Occulture

Tuesday 17 December at 10:30 in Svarta Havet at Konstfack or online: https://konstfack-se.zoom.us/j/68680628760

Architecture has traditionally focused on human-centered practices, emphasizing control over construction processes and creating internal environments that separate humans from their external surroundings. The growing interest in posthuman theories introduces the concept of nonhuman agency into this predominantly human-centric field. This research seeks to explore the potential tensions between traditional design practices, such as architecture, and the impacts of nonhuman agency on related design and construction processes.

Sebastian Gatz is an architect, artist and trained car mechanic working at the intersection of art, architecture and technology. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Fine Arts at Konstfack – University of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm. Gatz’s research employs ficto-critical and posthuman methods to investigate relationships between humans, nature and technology. His interests include experimental metaphysics, degrowth practices and digital fabrication. Previously, he worked at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen at the Centre for Information Technology and Architecture (CITA), where he engaged with artificial intelligence, robotic fabrication and robot-plant hybrids.

Faculty opponent: Hélène Frichot, Professor of Architecture and Philosophy, Melbourne School of Design (on Zoom)

Examining committee: Isabelle Doucet, Professor, Architectural Theory and Method, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers. Anton Poikolainen Rosén, Postdoctoral researcher in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) focusing on designing for sustainable futures and the more-than-human world, Department of Computer Science, Stockholm University. Sven Quadflieg, Professor in principles of design at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences

Supervisors: Loove Broms, Professor, Konstfack, University of Arts, Crafts and Design and Minna Räsänen, Senior lecturer, Södertörn University

Chair: Mick Wilson, Professor, HDK Valand-University of Gothenburg

Contact: Mat Gregory, mathew.gregory@konstfack.se

Konstfack, LM Ericssons väg 14, subway station Telefonplan