Contaminant Architectures: A speculative mutation of Channelsea Part 2 Dissertation 2025 Katherine Payne Leeds Beckett University | UK This thesis explores theories of mutating architecture through a speculative lens. The Channelsea Island has been ecologically distorted due to past industrial narratives and now battles many environmental challenges. Using speculative novels such as Annihilation, Crystal World and Oats Studio I will interpret how similar non-human adaptations play out on the island. Design theorists such as Rachel Armstrong, James Eagle and Marcos Cruz will help investigate how to design for evolving and transforming landscapes to work dynamically with the environment.From this research, a series of design experiments take place. Using protocells and architecture, several models are used to explore how protocell mutations can harbour environments to benefit both the human and non-human on site. These experiments then lead onto an architectural project which runs alongside this written piece of work. An extension of the Kew Millennium Gardens aims to work alongside the unnatural ecology, researching and analysing the non-human to help us as humans understand how we can live alongside the mutations that have occurred. Tutor(s) Hyun Jun Park