In the face of continued climate change induced loss of habitats and rapidly morphing ecosystems, Danish cross-disciplinary practice Inxects poses an omniscient question: ”What if architecture could evolve into a mutualistic symbiosis with nature, actively responding to and supporting ecosystems?” Partly in response to this, and partly as a provocation, Inxects unveils its latest innovative design, the Gaia Communication System (GCS), built around allowing humans to understand the conditions of the ecosystems around and within built environments, addressing humanity’s growing lack of empathy for other living organisms. The wearable technology specimen—presently on showcase at the Copenhagen Architecture Forum (CAFx) as a part of the Strange Adaptations exhibition in Copenhagen, Denmark—translates 'environmental data' into sensory feedback, converting the experience of ecosystems into a sensitive, tangible experience for humans.

Concerned by the alarming rates of global carbon emissions by the construction industry, Swedish architect Pavels Hedström, the founder of Inxects, challenges traditional ways of architectural practice and proposes a transformative design approach through his practice and works. With the intent of bringing humanity and nature closer, Hedström explores the intersection of architecture and technology to create wearable designs that tackle present and foreseeable global crises. Its previous innovative design projects include the Fog-X Jacket which could turn fog into drinking water, and the Inxects Suit that could break down toxic plastic into edible proteins.

Drawing inspiration from insects including ants, bees and beetles, the system sough to adapt the advanced sensory systems of the species, developed as part of millions of years of evolution. Ants possess specialised organs that enable them to detect carbon dioxide levels, allowing them to locate food sources, communicate with their respective colonies and respond to environmental changes effectively. On the other hand, bees navigate by sensing subtle changes in atmospheric conditions such as temperature and humidity, while some species of beetles identify optimal habitats by detecting chemical changes in vegetation.

Just as insects rely on their evolutionary capabilities, GCS attempts to equip humans with the ability to understand their environments through monitoring sensors for environmental factors. The spectral sensor on the suit's palms, for instance, analyses wavelengths of light for an early diagnosis of plant stress that is invisible to the naked eye. Atmospheric factors such as carbon dioxide, humidity and temperature are detected by air sensors to gauge air quality and climate, while water sensors measure pH levels and turbidity to determine the conditions of water bodies. Additionally, the incorporated bioacoustic sensor examines the health of ecosystems by identifying communication among insects and animals. The environmental analysis data is transformed into vibrations through a haptic feedback mechanism, which compels humans to acknowledge the effects of their activities on the environment almost in real time. The rather dramatic LED light on the chest of the design creates light animations from the received data, which can further be stored and studied for a detailed analysis. The GCS, through its modular design principles, even facilitates easy replacement and customisation while running on renewable solar energy.

Originally designed as an architectural tool for field research and contextual study, the GCS shows the promise of influencing major stakeholders such as politicians, policymakers and urban planners with the potential to greatly affect the policies placed in environmental interest. Furthermore, by establishing a personal connection—a feedback loop in real time—with the environment, the GCS may perhaps make it harder for decision-makers to ignore the grave consequences of human infringement on biohabitats.

As part of the continuing project, Inxects is presently developing new modules to modify the GCS and plans to release the first module in 2026, which is set to be an inflatable habitat facilitating a sensory experience based on environmental sensing. Built on decades of research on haptic learning, the GCS can be understood to be a near-revolutionary concept with the potential to bridge unique evolutionary abilities between species, equipping humans with the sensitised ability to learn more about their surroundings in a tangible way. Combining the physical, sensory experience with visual cues speaks to its strides for inclusivity and accessibility in design. Hopefully and rather presciently, technology such as the GCS may come to redefine adaptable architecture and pave the way for a more mindful, empathetic approach towards human interventions.