ABSTRACT
Sealed indoor environments have created artificial, homogeneous ecosystems that disconnect humans from the natural world. Meanwhile, variability in temperature, light, and humidity plays a crucial role in our perceptions of the environment. However, the unpredictability of weather has been purposefully engineered out of the built environment to create both spatial and psychological consistency, primarily for the convenience of mechanical equipment. Exploring the notion of artificial environments and man-made weather, this chapter questions the rigid boundaries that humans draw to isolate themselves from the natural world, stifling the richness and vibrancy that emerge from heterogeneity, be it physical, social, or theoretical. Using EskewDumezRipple’s hypothetical project, The Ecotone, as a case study for heterogeneous design, this chapter explores the potential to break down dichotomies and embrace the fluid boundaries that foster interaction, adaptability, and ecological cooperation where the complexities of the human condition can thrive. Recognizing that environmental challenges cannot be solved by technology or behavioral change alone, it advocates for a new paradigm of architecture that blurs the line between inside and out, cultivating an inclusive and dynamic built environment. By harnessing the synergies between technical and social change, this chapter seeks to provoke a holistic approach to human occupation, addressing both human and environmental challenges.
