Imagined Future Scenarios
Augmented Reality, Plausible Futures, Medium Term (3 - 5 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 construction safety and worker efficiency lead to higher societal well-being.
Technological Impact: Advancements in AR hardware and software create increasingly sophisticated and intuitive construction tools.
Ecological Impact: Faster, more efficient construction leads to resource depletion and increased carbon emissions from scaled-up building projects.
Economic Impact: Construction booms driven by lower error rates and faster completion times increase industry profits and global GDP.
Political Impact: Governments invest in infrastructure projects utilizing AR, stimulating economic growth and creating jobs.
Narrative: AR adoption fuels unprecedented construction growth, shaping skylines worldwide with efficient and accelerated building practices.
Collapse Arc
Social Impact: Supply chain disruptions and economic instability render AR construction tools unaffordable, leading to unemployment and social unrest.
Technological Impact: AR infrastructure fails due to lack of maintenance and software updates, halting many construction projects dependent on the technology.
Ecological Impact: Abandoned construction sites and resource mismanagement due to project failures contribute to environmental degradation.
Economic Impact: Widespread construction project failures and supply chain breakdowns trigger an economic recession.
Political Impact: Governments struggle to manage failing infrastructure and social unrest, prioritizing basic needs over AR technology.
Narrative: AR-dependent construction grinds to a halt amidst resource scarcity and system failures, leaving unfinished projects as stark reminders of a bygone era.
Discipline Arc
Social Impact: Standardized AR training and certification programs ensure consistent construction practices and reduce worker errors.
Technological Impact: Centralized AR systems track construction progress, enforce safety protocols, and optimize resource allocation at the state level.
Ecological Impact: Governments use AR to monitor and regulate construction waste, enforcing sustainable building practices and resource management.
Economic Impact: Construction regulated and optimized by AR increases efficiency and reduces costs with strict governmental oversight.
Political Impact: Governments heavily regulate and oversee AR implementation in construction to ensure safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
Narrative: AR tools become instruments of stringent control, enforcing top-down construction standards across all projects under a watchful governmental eye.
Transform Arc
Social Impact: Open-source AR tools democratize construction, empowering communities to build sustainable and affordable housing.
Technological Impact: AI-powered AR construction tools adapt to local materials and environmental conditions, enabling self-sufficient and resilient building practices.
Ecological Impact: AR-guided construction using recycled and locally-sourced materials promotes sustainable building and reduces environmental impact.
Economic Impact: Localized construction projects using AR create new economic opportunities and strengthen community resilience.
Political Impact: Decentralized construction initiatives challenge traditional power structures, empowering local communities to shape their built environment.
Narrative: AR transforms construction into a collaborative and decentralized process, empowering individuals and communities to build a resilient and sustainable future.