M’Arch Studio 4 have curated a small exhibition of their work for the third floor exhibition space in Mithras House. This year the studio continues with its focus on the countryside. Once again asking the questions; What does the countryside truly offer? What does it need? What are its futures?
In previous years Studio 4 took the view that one might think the city is where the radical affects of new technology and rapid population migrations would have a greater impact. However, it is becoming more evident that these trends are impacting the countryside most of all. The countryside is also where we are seeing the greatest impacts on our environment on both the local and global scales. It is the setting for an interesting yet worrisome dichotomy, both the articulation and growth of agricultural lands and the register of the decline of local species of flora & fauna. Studio 4 have been addressing where the discipline of architecture place itself in the current state of the Anthropoceane and how as a discipline do we address our current realities for a better future?
The Studio has continued working in the region from Lewes to the Port of Newhaven, nestled within the South Downs national park. This swathe of land is a constructed and controlled landscape consisting of varied histories and use, which includes typical agriculture and outdoor leisure activities, to point out a few, this region accommodates a variety of uses.
Studio 4 has previously developed work that speculates on the evolving of agricultural industries in the region, such as the wine making industry, as well as local small scale social collectives as a way of speculating on the future use and occupation of the region. This year they have been investigating and speculating on how Rewilding can act as a strategic tool for the future here.