Imagined Future Scenarios
Augmented Reality, Plausible Futures, Short Term (1 - 3 years)
Scenario Generated from 'How Do Architects Forecast Trends? In Conversation with Research and Inovation Co-Directors of Perkins&Will' - ArchDaily
Future Arc and Implications
Grow Arc
Social Impact: Increased acceptance of architectural experimentation leads to more visually diverse and potentially polarizing buildings.
Technological Impact: AR technology evolves for increasingly complex simulations and seamless integration with construction equipment.
Ecological Impact: AR-guided experimentation may reduce material waste in construction from fewer physical errors, though building at the expense of wild lands may accelerate.
Economic Impact: Construction booms fueled by easier design iteration and faster project completion times.
Political Impact: Regulations struggle to keep pace with rapid architectural innovation, leading to loopholes and potential safety concerns.
Narrative: Rapid urbanization and architectural excess defines a world of constantly evolving structures.
Collapse Arc
Social Impact: AR malfunctions and widespread construction failures lead to distrust in architectural designs and technology.
Technological Impact: AR systems fail due to lack of maintenance, cyberattacks, or hardware failures, halting many construction projects.
Ecological Impact: Abandoned and poorly-designed structures from interrupted projects become environmental hazards amid resource scarcity.
Economic Impact: Construction industry collapses as insurance costs skyrocket and investors avoid risky architectural projects.
Political Impact: Governments are blamed for deregulation/over-regulation, leading to instability and blame culture.
Narrative: Society crumbles after faith in construction technology degrades, leaving a legacy of unfinished and unsafe structures.
Discipline Arc
Social Impact: Architectural styles become standardized and homogenized as designs are centrally approved.
Technological Impact: AR 'undo' features are strictly controlled and monitored by governing bodies for safety and efficiency.
Ecological Impact: AR is used to enforce sustainable building practices and minimize environmental impact through optimized design.
Economic Impact: Government controlled construction becomes the norm; private architectural firms face heavy market competition.
Political Impact: A central authority dictates architectural styles and building codes through AR-guided design processes.
Narrative: Order is imposed on architectural design through centralized control and AR-driven regulatory frameworks.
Transform Arc
Social Impact: Architecture focuses on regenerative designs and builds in harmony with nature, transforming societal values.
Technological Impact: AR 'undo' evolves into a tool for collaborative design and sustainable material development by simulating closed-loop systems.
Ecological Impact: Buildings become integrated with the environment, serving as carbon sinks and promoting biodiversity through circular economy strategies.
Economic Impact: A new economy emerges around bio-based and recycled building materials facilitated by optimized design through AR simulations.
Political Impact: Global collaboration on architectural design to address climate change drives a new era of international cooperation.
Narrative: Architecture becomes a force for ecological renewal, guided by AR to create sustainable and regenerative environments.