Abject
Latin: ab- away + jacere-to throw > abjicere- reject> abjectus> Middle English: abject The term abjection literally means "the state of being cast off". In usage it has connotations of degradation, baseness and meanness of spirit; but has been explored in post-structuralism as that which inherently disturbs conventional identity and cultural concepts. Objects are assigned subjective value until they lose relevance or are associated to detrimental qualities. Therefore, dissolving an object of its abjection through repurposing alone is not enough. Equally critical is to realize the limiting nature of subjective value assignments. The Clivus toilet1 is a case study that looks past the common perception of human waste and the systems that handle them. Unlike traditional systems, natural degradation process through compost pits are brought in direct contact to excremental activity saving the need for water flush systems. This “waste” is then compressed to produce natural gas and fertilizer, both of which are then fed back as a renewed resource for the domestic activities of the home. By repurposing the use of sewage black matter, Clivus toilets are also able to bring down the contamination of adjacent water bodies. Such a system does not limit itself at the scale of a single user but maps micro and macro level interactions with the surrounding environment.