EDITORS’

Following a fruitful (and at times heated) discussion on a bitter November evening, a vote was held which decided this issue’s theme as “Systems”. As for the interpretation of this single word prompt, our initial meetings left us with more questions than answers.

For our contributors only one thing was certain: modern life is full of systems. From the social and economic systems that bind or alienate us from one another to the architectural systems that support our buildings and shape the spaces and environments we inhabit - systems seem an inescapable component of the fabric of our lives.

Some systems are bad, some are good, and others work just fine - this rather mediocre aphorism is about as definitive a conclusion as we could possibly hope to reach given the thematic diversity of the contents of this issue. From the exploration of urban landscapes in “Drifting through Bath” and “Copenhagen Harbour” to reflections on knowledge and domestic life in “Education Systems” and “Multigenerational Living”. Outrage-driven think-pieces are interspersed with literary analysis, interviews, philosophy, and artwork.

Throughout it all there is an investigative spirit - a desire to question and critique the reasoning behind the way things are the way they are.

This issue of Paperspace is not intended to be read as a compilation of doom, but rather as an empowering opportunity to examine and uncover the secrets of the plethora of systems that regulate our modern lives.

Paperspace is an independent, non-profit design magazine based in Bath. Whilst we have a range of international contributors we are entirely student-led.

A huge thanks to the University of Bath for their logistical support, to Magalleria for their endless wisdom, and to our donor practices, without whose support this issue could not be in your hands right now.

There are only 200 copies of this magazine in print. So if you have a paper copy (the ideal format) we hope you find as much joy in reading as we did in creating.

Thank you for reading,

Jesper-Jay Harrington & Daria Shiryaeva Editors-In-Chief 2022-2023