Design by Fire: Resistance, Co-Creation and Retreat in the Pyrocene

Wildfires are a major international media topic, with conflagrations in the American West, Australia, Chile, Brazil, Portugal, and South Africa. This book will study a range of potential tactics, from watershed management to molecular scale, to provide a more holistic set of approaches for designers to consider when working between wildland and the built environment. Case studies will draw upon indigenous practices, community-driven projects, and speculative academic proposals.

Format: Hardback
Length: 340 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Wildfires have garnered significant international media attention, particularly in the American West, where conflagrations have been ongoing for several years. This phenomenon has also been observed in other regions such as Australia, Chile, Brazil, Portugal, and South Africa, among others. While most discussions on wildfires focus on one scale of intervention, such as creating defensible space to protect individual homes, this book aims to explore a broader range of potential tactics. It will examine strategies at various scales, ranging from watershed management to molecular levels, with the goal of providing designers with a more comprehensive set of approaches to consider when working between wildland and the built environment.

To facilitate a holistic understanding of these issues, the book will draw upon a diverse range of sources. Rather than solely relying on work from professional design firms, which often have limited quantities and scopes, it will incorporate indigenous practices, community-driven projects, and speculative academic proposals. By doing so, it seeks to expand the pool of ideas available to designers and contribute to a more informed and sustainable approach to managing wildfires.

The case studies presented in this book will showcase a variety of approaches and strategies employed by different stakeholders. They will include examples from professional design firms, as well as indigenous communities, community-driven initiatives, and academic proposals. By examining these diverse perspectives, the book aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with designing for wildfires.

In conclusion, the topic of wildfire is receiving increasing attention in the international media, and this book aims to provide a valuable contribution to the field. By exploring a range of potential tactics and drawing upon diverse sources, it seeks to provide designers with a more holistic set of approaches to consider when working between wildland and the built environment. The case studies presented in this book will showcase a variety of approaches and strategies employed by different stakeholders, and it is hoped that they will contribute to a more informed and sustainable approach to managing wildfires in the future.

Weight: 830g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032001494