SIMON GORDON, MArch

Into the Syn•anthropocene: The Resynchronized Architecture of a Keystone Species



We share this world with millions of other species. While humans have claimed and transformed vast territories of the planet, our homogenized environments show little regard for the countless birds, mammals, and other creatures that move through these urban jungles. The relationship between culture and nature is ever evolving, and where it goes next is a question at the forefront of architectural discourse. This thesis sets out to explore how architecture can respond to the socio-ecological tensions between wildlife and the built environment. The research identifies a subset of biological subjects that inform a design process which aims to resynchronize architecture with ecological dynamics. The thesis culminates with a proposal of a hybrid eco-cultural hub which celebrates biodiversity and promotes an emerging paradigm shift; it is a step toward redefining humanity as a keystone species – one whose design interventions are aligned with other subjects that share the ecosystem.


This thesis sets out to explore how architecture can respond to the socio-ecological tensions between wildlife and the built environment.



Toronto Metropolitan Department of  Architectural Science Toronto, CA.