Description:

stem is a speculative interaction design project that imagines a future where humans and plants communicate directly through nature’s own language, Phylocode. Responding to the pressures of climate change and biodiversity loss, the project envisions a world where conservationists work alongside plants rather than attempting to control them.
The system converts biological signals like DNA, nutrient availability, and bioelectric activity into abstract visual shapes and ambient soundscapes, fostering deeper empathy and awareness of plant needs. These signals are made visible through a transparent, spatial interface held between the user and the plant. The glass screen reveals Phylocode as shifting, organic forms layered over the plant itself, paired with sounds derived from field recordings in native New Zealand landscapes which completes the language. The interface is ambient and minimal, reinforcing non-intrusive, empathetic interaction with the natural world.
The speculative world of stem is set approximately 25 years in the future, where ecological conservation has become increasingly urgent. The project’s speculative framework addresses the limitations of current conservation methods and introduces new narrative possibilities for the future of conservation.
Through this project, stem invites audiences to question our current relationship with the natural world, advocating for a future rooted in mutual understanding, empathy, and coexistence.