Exploring Thing-Power: Letting Objects Shape Design

Wafa Yahya

Nov 1, 20244 min read

Updated: Dec 17, 2024

In Vibrant Matter: A Political Ecology of Things, Jane Bennett redefines agency and materiality, exploring how nonhuman elements shape the world and influence human life.

Jane Bennett’s concept of thing-power in Vibrant Matter asks us to rethink how we interact with materials, objects, and the spaces we create. Instead of viewing materials as mere tools or static resources, Bennett proposes that objects—whether natural or manufactured—have an agency of their own. This shift in perspective could change the way architects and spatial designers approach the design process.

What is Thing-Power?

In Bennett’s view, thing-power is the unique agency that inanimate objects hold—something akin to a quiet energy or influence that affects their surroundings and interacts with people in subtle yet impactful ways. This isn’t about magical thinking but rather a recognition that materials, spaces, and objects don’t just passively exist; they actively participate in shaping experiences.

For instance, a brick isn’t just a component in a wall; its texture, weight, and color contribute to the character of a space and influence how people feel and interact within that space.

Attuning to Objects in Design

Attuning to thing-power means allowing materials to guide design rather than imposing rigid preconceptions onto them. This process starts by observing objects with a sense of openness, letting their inherent qualities—weight, warmth, durability—suggest their best uses. Instead of treating materials as blank canvases, designers can see them as active partners in the creation of spaces.

Consider the materials chosen for a building’s facade. By tuning into the subtle qualities of each material, such as how concrete absorbs light or how wood ages in different climates, a designer can let the materials themselves suggest how they will interact with the environment and its users over time. This creates a dialogue between the designer and the material, where design emerges not only from the architect’s intent but also from the material’s “voice” and behavior in context.

Letting Things Guide You in Spatial Design

Allowing objects to guide design requires a shift in thinking: instead of designing around an abstract idea of what a space “should be,” designers can respond to the environment and materials as they encounter them.

Bennett’s philosophy encourages architects to view each object as a participant in a larger assemblage, or a network of materials and forces, each playing a role in how people will ultimately experience the space.

Imagine St Mary's Church and its park: by recognizing the thing-power of wooden benches, surrounding trees, and paving materials, the architect can let these elements guide the layout. The natural wear of the benches and the shade patterns cast by trees can inspire seating arrangements that enhance user comfort and flow through the space. Allowing the more-than-human actants to take charge and draw their rhythms: dogs chasing squirrels, lady bugs infesting your jacket, or the gurgling sound the radiator makes.

This approach doesn’t just “use” materials; it listens to them, embracing their qualities as part of a living, changing environment.

Applying Thing-Power to Sustainable Design

Thing-power also ties into sustainable architecture by advocating for a thoughtful relationship with materials. When architects recognize that every material has its own lifecycle, behavior, rhythms, and impact, they can design with longevity and adaptability in mind. This could mean designing buildings with materials that naturally age beautifully or choosing structural elements that require minimal upkeep.

By letting materials shape decisions, acknowledging the thing-power, architects foster a space that evolves gracefully and adapts with time rather than fighting against it.

A New Vision for Architecture

Embracing thing-power brings a fresh perspective to architecture and spatial design. It reminds us that materials, spaces, and objects —inert or moving— all have their own subtle agencies that, when honored, create richer, more responsive designs. Instead of imposing a vision, designers can learn to work with the inherent “vitality” of each element, crafting spaces that feel both alive and in harmony with their environment.

By tuning into the vibrancy of materials, we can craft architecture that’s not only functional but resonates with the energy of the spaces and objects within it. This approach brings us one step closer to creating built environments that truly connect with human experience, allowing our designs to breathe and thrive alongside the humans and more-than-humans who inhabit them.

Rhythmanalysis of St Mary Church and Carnegie Library

After reading Lefebvre and Bennett we took a walk to our site in Fratton and silently attuned with the site and its surrounding to find new rhythms. Here's the list of what I've noted: