Harnessing Alternative Narratives of the City: Exploring the Generative Capacity of Skateboarding

I have a keen interest in the generative capacity of cities. As city-dwelling populations continue to increase, it is vitally important for architects to look beyond the traditional boundaries of the profession and view their work within the larger context of the urban fabric. By doing so, architects open up possibilities by which the generative capacity of the city can emerge within the architecture. One such example is found through the uniquely urban practice of skateboarding; skateboarding acts as a criticism of contemporary architecture, placing engagement and use above economics and the traditional imperatives of architecture. As demonstrated in a case study and design proposal for the Booth Board Mill on Chaudière Island, the skateboarding ethos can provide valuable alternatives to more traditional architectural paradigms.