My Masters thesis research aimed to explore what types of devices humanity might build inorder to breathe ambient air in hyper-polluted futures. One such device is thePERA - Personal Ecosystem Respirator Apparatus: a backpack-style wearable whichcontains the user’s personal-ecosystem to provide them with clean air through arespirator mask.
Using the approach of speculative design, the intention was tohighlight the consequences of our actions and inactions on climate change andshow a world in which we have failed to address the issues of air pollution andglobal warming. Following a hybrid methodology created from a mixed methodsapproach, the research was conducted through an iterative process. Throughoutthe research, there was an increasing focus on the symbiotic relationshipbetween the user and their ecosystem, and how one protects and provides for theother.
