The 21st century has witnessed an explosion in wireless communications. Increases in their variety, capacity and usage show no end. Cellular networks, ubiquitous wi-fi and satellites mean that wherever we go we can be tracked. Surveillance capitalism hijacks our attention, harvests our behavior and sells them back to us as personalized products.
There is no escape from these wireless communications in an urban setting. This thesis proposes that we build such a place: a place without wi-fi; with limited cellphone reception; shielded from surveillance satellites. A refuge, a haven, a place to visit when we want to be anonymous and free from digital distraction.
Like light, these technologies rely on a form of electromagnetic radiation. Unlike light, the lower frequency waves of wireless communication are not necessarily blocked by opaque objects. Instead, they can be attenuated, reflected or refracted through use of different materials and forms. Building on the rich history of light and shade management in architecture, the project will include a range of structures providing different levels of digital and visual shade.