Of Cats and Microwaves

The phenomenon of people drying their cats off in the microwave is significant for the understanding of social development-we are increasingly losing touch with our environment. And we disavow any responsibility for our actions. Can architecture help to reaffirm this relationship? Reflecting on these ideas, Umschichten and Bellastock are two architecture studios who use architecture as a medium to build new relationships to our environment and our fellow human beings. They don't only focus on built projects, but also on the things that happen during their participatory interventions. The architecture becomes a tool and the city a laboratory. This book is a call to arms for people to take part in shaping their world and, above all, to transform themselves from passive consumers to active co-producers of the city.