Week 1 -Initial thoughts on architectural fiction and reading reflections

Initial thoughts on architectural fiction

One of the first things that springs into my mind when discussing my 'architectural fiction' of the future, is what will become of the comparative mess that is todays urban environment, particularly high density urban areas and skyscrapers. The majority of people (particularly designers) would druel over the future possibilities for NEW innovations and discuss how they will come about. But what is to become of our current architecture?

We will die and return to the ground that we came from and our possessions will be inherited by future generations but what of our current urban fabric? Skyscrapers will tumble, the infrastructure will be to old, congested and unstable to handle the new technologies not to mention the capacity! Will the pioneering and successful cities of the future will spring up from almost nowhere? Adjacent to an established hub that is important for something, wether it be industry or trade. Built on a clean slate without the clutter and complications of the crumbling and chaotic urban fabric our generations inspired. Who knows, Futurama may have been right about New York in the year 3000.

http://4tee7.com/blog/?paged=10

http://www.ugo.com/tv/futurama-facts-you-never-knew

http://www.ironicsans.com/2006/04/animated_manhattan_futurama.html
What will really become of the Empire State Building? Can it last forever?

Buildings and cities have sell-buy dates and as architects we can always design flexible buildings for the future in the short term, but ultimately we are just kidding ourselves trying to do this. In my architectural fiction, designs of today will become monuments of the past, there to remind our future inhabitants how primitive we were. 

Reading Reflections

Sadler discusses how buildings will be geometrically organised and arranged in patterns or tesselations in the future. Although his thoughts and theories are are thoroughly explained, I ultimately disagree. I believe that the arrangement of buildings and structures will always appear to some extent organic. Some developments may have elements within them that can follow rigid patterns, but I feel factors such as utilities, existing transport infratructure and topography will always maintain the urban form of our cities and communities follows less perfect and rigid patterns.


Revell has interesting theories relating to future of the global economy and condition of the EU and melting of the polar ice caps. The piece lacks a clear introduction to the scenario and I question the plausibility of it. Will europe become that unified? The UK won't subscribe to the euro in my opinion.

The final article by Koerth-Baker is very well written and thought provoking. I agree with him, that it is human nature to progress by learning from our mistakes. That our innovations of the future have already been invented, but are waiting for their time when they shall rise to prominence.