Monstrous Matter: The Microbial Foundations for a Living Planet

Rachel Armstrong

doi:10.2298/FID2504955A

Authors

Rachel Armstrong KU Leuven, Department of Architecture

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2298/FID2504955A

Keywords:

monstrous matter, Gaia, entanglement, material agency, microbes, unconventional computing, metabolism, holobiont, oikonomy, material change

Abstract

To confront the escalating climate emergency, a new twenty-first century mythos of matter is essential—one that moves beyond the extractive, industrial paradigms of modernity. This emerging worldview centres on the concept of “monstrous matter:” the unruly, dynamic materiality of life that resists categorization yet operates fully within the laws of physics and chemistry. This matter finds its ultimate expression in Gaia—not as a harmonious globe, but as a dynamic, disruptive, and planetary-scale negotiation between living and non-living forces. Rather than being chaotic or lawless, this matter is profoundly creative, having given rise to the rich biodiversity and material vitality of Earth. Embracing this perspective invites a transition in human development—away from control and exploitation, and toward regenerative practices that align with nature’s own cycles of change and renewal. Architecture, as a material and cultural practice, plays a critical role in this transformation. By designing with and for the vitality of monstrous matter—refusing rigid geometries and inert materials—architects can develop environments that support life, adaptability, and ecological flourishing. This mythos offers a hopeful, imaginative framework for rethinking our relationship with the living world.

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