Speculative Design x Cli-Fi: The Shape of Things to Come
As more and more people become curious about the role speculative design can play in challenging our current ways of seeing and making sense of the world, I’m digging into my own projects archive. ‘The Shape of Things to Come’ (with a nod to H.G.Wells) presents one wild scenario for what we might have to do should our lack of meaningful action on climate change continue…
The specific site of intervention is the mouth of the Wash estuary and proposes the strategic relocation of the UK’s most deprived seaside town, Skegness, alongside a large scale infrastructural development — an 11km storm surge barrier.
Here, over 100,000 homes are at risk of severe flooding, together with the breeding ground for 300,000 birds — designated as special protection area (SPA), as well as UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Cambridge.
The land use transforms resilience infrastructure into a post-natural landscape, where the movement of tides, sediments, birds and people is hosted. The lighthouse — traditionally the highest point in the landscape — doubles up as town hall.
The managed retreat sees the flood prone land north slowly transform into wetlands as well as a network of defensible polders, which provide additional grounds for the wildlife to thrive as well as an essential ecological buffer. The train line terminates at Skegness Wetlands where the old amusement park is last remaining artefact of the British seaside town of the 20th century, as well as an observation point of the changing landscape.
A brief passage from the diary of Adrian Mole, aged 54.
Skegness. Saturday, 13th June 2037.
Ivan, mother’s third husband, still fascinated by “working-class culture” suggested to go to Skegness on a “bucket and spade holiday” like the one he went on as a teenager. He drivelled on about the candyfloss, the donkeys, and how “the glorious vulgarity of the amusement arcade” lingered in his memory. I had no choice but to say yes — afterall, I’d like to see what’s become of the place.
Sunday
We boarded the train to Skegness on Sea and right before we arrive, we pass vast lakes. We are told those are the polders and that we missed our stop — we are at the Wetlands Centre. A curious revamp of the old arcade, now in the middle of a swamp. We are told there are lots of different species of birds around, but the slot machines are still working. William has already spent his pocket money while we were waiting for the train to take us in the other direction.
Monday
The view is of mournful-looking seagulls looking to pinch some fish from the vast tidal pools. Low tide.
Wednesday, wind shelter
Ivan and my mother struggled to construct a windbreak, and William, dressed in an anorak, sheltered behind it and tried to make a sandcastle. We were forced to take shelter from the cruel wind that blows unchecked across the North Sea. Took the tram to the cafe on the barrier and tried to warm up. The place was full of shivering families eating terrible food.
Thursday
The sun came out today. Breezy, but warm enough to go for a dip in the shallow tidal pools. William managed to build his sandcastle and Ivan bought a sunhat. He went on saying to my mother: “This is still an authentic working class experience, isn’t it Pauline?” His eyes were shining with excitement.
My mother drew heavily on her electric fag with the gold rimmed filter and said: “Ivan, I’m 78, I’m no longer working class. I read the Guardian and buy coffee beans now, or hadn’t you noticed?”
*This speculative design project was my graduating thesis from the Royal College of Art. The Skegness-on-Sea diary is adapted from “The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4”, an 1980 British TV series.
