An ecosystem

Humankind has changed a balancing system used by nature to maintain an equilibrium of life on Earth. Once deeply rooted in the grown, the ecosystem of this planet has become fragile and subject to diminish. We construct realities in which humans are invisible and this is at the cost of this ecosystem, fragmenting it into pieces to the point of losing this fragile balance that was once here. 

And where do we find ourselves in all of it? We, as citizens, play an important role in the becoming of our cities as much as humankind. By creating these complex urban environments, and trying to sustain current lifestyles, we have become the problem of this broken equation and yet a crucial part in solving it. The necessity for every citizen to hold responsibility in sustaining this balance within cities is unprecedented, and the elements needed to help us do that start right where we stand.

Under this thick concrete layer, you will find soil - this soil, in most places, is a source of life, our lives. In Barcelona, the sight of it has become scarce and until now has been neglected within the urban environment. Its matter remains, but its qualities can disappear altogether. It is an ecosystem of its own with its own equation for life, there, right under our feet. So what can we do as citizens, to acknowledge, protect, and bring to this source of life, our lives?

When we look, and truly reflect at the things around us that make this world so beautiful and worth living in, we reveal elements within specific environments, with which we interact and relate to personally. We constantly create new associations with those present around us, but some of those are innate and guide our natural instinct towards all the things that together create life. In the middle of this complex built environment we inhabit, we find ways to connect with this environment continuously carrying our footsteps. 

To progressively reimagine the way we live together starts with a quest for knowledge, people and ideas that can help you find the abundance you need in scarcity. Once this first step is taken, we embark on a whole journey towards change and resilience.

Apocapoc BCN invites you to start this journey through a space called the Nest City Lab. Following the principles of permaculture, this space generates abundance and an environment prone to life. With nature at the heart of this space, it is responding to our biologically-based need to affiliate with nature, with our life and health depending on it. It is a symbol reminding us of the importance of learning to cohabit with other living organisms and integrate this in our daily practices.

Existing as part of the centre of Barcelona city, this space isn’t one single thing, but many; encapsulating positive daily habits subject to life. It seeks to represent hope for the present of our cities and sets an example to build upon. This space holds a precious ecosystem in the city, within which ideas, practices and connections can be made following a natural rhythm of life. It is a living example of an architecture created with a common purpose of creating more sustainable and resourceful urban environments and reaching a form of autonomy and sustainability through abundance.

By making the way for this long awaited transition, this approach gives the opportunity to engage in this process of change, locally and at a scale one can understand and benefit from. The Nest City Lab enables a collective thinking adding value in the commons. This space applies ideas, creating an opportunity to better inhabit our cities together and provides support and encourages introspection in this process of change.

This space values and encourages the development of experiments to explore ourselves and our surrounding. It is through this space that one shares ideas and makes connections, triggers conversations and thoughts, and explores new practices. Essentially, it has become a home for ideas to take life and grow there in this fertile soil, before taking another step.

This growth happens through many pathways, and starts with creating an independence in body and mind before synergies with people and collectively move forward. The development of this community of practices leaves space for one to tell their story, share their knowledge, allowing this project to breathe and keep evolving. All of the elements found within this space landed there to balance this fragile yet resourceful ecosystem. Its very existence should not be taken for granted but nourished with thoughts and knowledge to be used for the purposeful development of this urban lab. 

Following this process, the participation of a community of future thinkers and change seekers is essential in the fruitful evolution of such project, gradually defining our attitude to it. Apocapoc shares a vision through this space with the hope to create together with the community a common vision for today.