ROT was born out of frustration with institutional architectural teaching and the culture that surrounds students in the design field. Right now, there is a gap between what content students interact with socially/academically, and the real-world application of design and art. As expected of tertiary-level education, it is important for emerging creatives to explore all facets of design e.g. experimental, critical, sustainable, technological. However, when this exploration becomes too independent from other circles, it often creates an echo chamber of ideas that don’t reach further than the confines of a singular institution or industry.
We identified a parallel between this disconnect, and that of the one between the greater public and formalised design, research and presentation. Although we are constantly surrounded by art and design, its significance is often not understood by the layman. Art and design has always been intrinsically tied to societal issues such as accessibility, sustainability, culture and politics - for example, the proposed changes to the National Construction Code in 2024 to allow all-gender bathrooms to satisfy provision will affect not only the people designing buildings/signage but also everyone who will occupy new buildings from here on. Much of this news is kept within professional design spheres, which in turn also excludes the younger generation of emerging practitioners from engaging in these conversations.
The nature of an interview is inherently collaborative and transactional. It is an exchange of knowledge and opinions through an open dialogue with no set objective. The act of embedding the interview into a written, published work is a means to create a casual yet informative vessel for all to participate in.
ROT will be run through an Expression of Interest process over a two-month period where we will be open to written submissions relating to the provocation of this edition, ‘Radical Sustainability; Design and Decay.” Submissions will be assessed based on their relevance to the topic, relevance to real-world application, and creativity. Following this stage, the team will curate and format the submissions into a printed magazine as well as an online repository. Throughout this process, we will ensure that there is clear partnership and correspondence with those whose submissions are being included in ROT. We intend to convey each person’s work as authentically as possible, allowing for uncensored and diverse content.
The result will be the public release of a physical, printed magazine at the end of October with the potential for an in-person event, as well as an entirely free and non-limited online version of the magazine. This will allow for the content of the project to be accessible to all who are interested, and not be restricted by cost. In this age where content on the internet is endless, we believe it is important that ideas are compiled and curated in a safe location where they will not become lost in the sea of online information.
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ROT is an exploration in publishing that amplifies diverse voices in design and spatial practice, fostering a thriving creative ecosystem. By supporting the creation and distribution of critical and speculative works, ROT contributes to an expanded design discourse that challenges dominant narratives and cultivates new forms of engagement.
Our primary outcome is a multi-format publication - both a printed book and an evolving online index - serving as a platform for underrepresented perspectives on the environment, object design, and culture. Through collaboration with writers, designers, and thinkers from various disciplines, ROT nurtures creative capabilities by providing a space for experimental formats, hybrid writing, and alternative modes of critique.
By embracing publishing as a design act, ROT expands the reach of design discourse beyond academia and practice, making it accessible to a broader audience. The project's distribution strategy includes launches, exhibitions, and digital accessibility, ensuring wide engagement across professional, academic, and public spheres. These initiatives invite participation, fostering a community that values critical dialogue, creative risk-taking, and new imaginaries for design's social and political role.
ROT thrives on collaboration, drawing from a network of contributors who engage with issues of power, repair, and hidden structures in spatial practice. By documenting and circulating these explorations, ROT not only supports artistic and intellectual creation but also ensures their continued impact. In doing so, ROT contributes to a design culture that is more inclusive, experimental, and critically engaged.