Hyperlocal ecologies. Eco-social design practices for symbiotic connections.

This paper offers a critical reflection on how hyperlocal design practices can address contemporary ecological challenges by fostering symbiotic relationships between communities and their territories. It proposes an eco-social design model rooted in local contexts, integrating endogenous resources, such as native plant species, biomaterials, and biological waste, with active community participation. Focusing on the Venice Lagoon, the research highlights the role of civic initiatives and design in supporting sustainable socio-ecological systems. The study presents experimental activities conducted at the CTRL + JUNK LAB of Iuav University of Venice, leading to the development of the Hyperlocal Ecologies Framework, an educational and design model aimed at promoting adaptive strategies to climate change. Emphasising the value of traditional knowledge and local biocultural practices, the paper advocates for a hyper-contextual approach to design education capable of generating ecologically compatible and place-based solutions.