The Psychotropic Practices of Architecture

The analysis of the indigenous Maloka expands to an additional focus of study, to how architecture shapes the way inhabitants think and their relationship with nature without conscious awareness. This inquires into what is the role Architecture and Architects regarding human behaviour. Based on the studies of Guattari’s ‘architectural enunciation’ by Andrej Radman, Professor of Architecture, he argues that the role of Architects has significantly transformed. Focused on the qualities of posthumanist architectural practice, he explains that the analytical responsibility of Architects extend from the design of environment to design subjectivation. Similarly to ayawáskha experiences, subjectivity refers to the procedures by which the subject is led to observe itself, analyse itself, interpret itself, and recognize itself as a domain of possible knowledge. Radman suggests that if the purpose of design is to change us and by creating spaces in which inhabitants feel and act differently as a result of thinking differently, then architecture is effectively a ‘psychotropic practice’ that balances the routines of experience.

Understanding Architecture as a Psychotropics practice, Psyche (mind) and Tropē (turn, turning), is to acknowledge the potential of design to influence brain function resulting in alterations of perception, feelings, cognition and behaviour. However, this is not to say that architecture determine behaviour, inhabitants have a will that enables them to act think by themselves. The ‘limitation’ of inhabitants’ will also offers a clue for architecture to design such a space, according to

49-Radman, Posthuman Ecologies, Chapter 4

Spinoza ‘Man are conscious of their own desire, but are ignorant of the causes whereby that desire has determined’. Hence, Architecture design could be the cause that determine the desires, for indigenous a desire of changing toward a different being. Though studying of Ayawáskha, the desire of changing is cause by bringing the memories, pleasant and unpleasant ones, to create feelings that consequently affect the perception as well as thoughts, and ultimately the way of being. When designing under indigenous approach, creating a space that creates an ayawáskha like experience, Architecture becomes in a Entheogenic practice

50-“the way the subject experiences [him/her]self in a game of truth where [s]he relates to [him/her]self” (Foucault, 1998)

51- Bignall and Braidotti, Posthuman Ecologies, 59.

52 Bignall and Braidotti, Posthuman Ecologies, 65.