Extreme Imaginings:
Fractal Citys
PRODUCED BY
Patrick Macasaet
Shuming Zhou
Zechen Huang
TOOLS
Unreal Engine 5
EXHIBITED
YEAR
+Model Barcelona Architectures Festival
2023
EXTERNAL WEBSITE
This online exhibition, EXTREME IMAGININGS: FRACTAL CITYS, will feature an array of provocative and thought-provoking images, simulations and videos exploring a visionary future through gaming technologies and immersive media. Fractal Cities imagines extreme future scenarios and provides glimpses of possible futures. It is a speculative and future-centric planetary proposition that focuses on the geological and biological aspects of the city, recognising the importance of natural systems and processes in creating alternative sustainable futures. It proposes a radical alternative: a global network of dynamic cave-like structures that primarily utilises available local-specific materials to create a balanced relationship between humans and the natural world seeking to work with the complex systems and processes that make up the biosphere.
MOUNTAIN SNOW
The air was crisp and icy, with snowflakes twirling and pirouetting through the air as the futuristic sherpa treaded his way homewards towards the mountain city guided by his Boston Dynamic’s Spot. This awe-inspiring metropolis was an amalgamation of architecture and nature, with materials sourced from its surrounding environment such as stone and wood incorporated into structures whose design mirrored the steep slopes of the mountains. Solar panels and wind turbines were scarcely visible yet still providing a sustainable source of energy to this city living symbiotically with its natural habitat.
The sherpa progressed through the dense alleyways existing between these astonishing structures, marvelling at the intricate structure of bridges and walkways uniting them. The buildings were built in respectful harmony with their rugged terrain surroundings and had roofs that were blanketed in snow, shielding them from the hostile elements. Modern heating and cooling systems rely on geothermal energy regulating temperatures within making this city befitting for inhabitants.
The sherpa ascended the towering snow-capped peaks, his body weary from trekking through treacherous terrain. As he drew closer to the city, he observed its sleek and modern architecture blending seamlessly with the surrounding rugged landscape. The community had harnessed advanced technology to create a self-sustaining civilization in this harsh environment. Even amidst the chill of winter, life was abundant in this utopia, as genetically engineered flora and fauna thrived all around.
As the sherpa entered his home, he was greeted by soothing music emanating from an AI system that controlled every aspect of the house. The walls were crafted from transparent materials that enhanced the natural light streaming in from the outside. His children were engaged in immersive virtual simulations of adventurous expeditions. The sherpa leaned back on his intelligent sofa and sipped his tea, marvelling at how far humanity had come. Living in harmony with nature was no longer a trade-off but a necessity for survival. And here, high up in this icy abode, they had found a way to do so without sacrificing their quality of life.
Despite its untamed terrain and treacherous winter storms, the snow mountain city was a technological marvel. Gleaming spires rose from the ground, reaching for the sky like frozen giants in deep slumber. Impressive feats of engineering had been built to harness the unrelenting elements, allowing this remote settlement to remain connected to the rest of the world. Sleek networks were criss-crossed through the air, delivering data and providing early warnings of danger.
As night descended on the mountainside, the sherpa looked up to see the stars twinkling above. This place was more than just an architectural feat; it was an oasis of nature part of a global collective, where tradition and modernity could peacefully coexist in harmony. Here, as civilization around them boomed and changed at an exponential pace, they found solace in their devotion to sustainable living and preserving their ancestral ways of life – ensuring that their legacy would remain undiminished for generations to come.
DESERT
The caravan train churned through the open desert, a metallic string of robotic beasts and carts that left behind trails of technicolour dust. The caravan master's augmented eyes scanned the horizon and led the way, guiding the group of travellers and their cargo towards the city on the horizon that appeared to have sprung up from the desert itself — its structures an ever-shifting latticework of organic plants intertwined with advanced technology, as if nature had given birth to progress.
The architectures of this desert metropolis rose majestically from the desert sands, its structures a symphony of organic and man-made materials. Adobe, clay, and sandstone reached up to the sky like surreal wind spires, radiating their own unique beauty while naturally cooling the structures below. Each building was thoughtfully designed with an eye towards renewable energy sources; solar panels harnessing the power of the sun embedded into walls, deflecting harsh rays, while tall windmills harnessed the power of the wind. Citizens marvelled at the sight of abundant wildlife thriving in this utopia – scorpions and coyotes scurrying around the streets, avian species circling overhead. A harmonious balance between nature and architecture, it was truly an impressive sight to behold.
As the caravan approached the city, the caravan master couldn't help but feel awed by the intricate patterns that adorned the buildings. The patterns seemed to mimic the natural patterns found in the surrounding desert landscape, with intricate fractals and geometric shapes that dazzled the eye. The buildings were also designed to be highly functional, with cooling systems that made use of the desert's natural winds and shade structures elegantly provided protection from the intense desert sun.
As the caravan settled into the city, the caravan master was always struck by the city's focus on technology. The city was home to a highly advanced network of sensors and monitors that snaked through the city - tracking the metropolis' resources and environmental impact in real-time and shared with planetary data. The citizens used cutting-edge technology to minimize waste and conserve resources, with recycling programs and water conservation initiatives that made use of the city's limited water supply.
The caravan master spent some time exploring the city, marvelling at the beautiful architecture and the ingenuity of its inhabitants. As the sun began to set, they made their way to the holographic central square. Traditional desert instruments augmented with technological instruments created an enchanting symphony that filled the area. Merchants traded goods with technology sourced from recycled materials and components, while street vendors served futuristic treats crafted from the elements of nature. The caravan master was always in awe of the magnificence of this planetary city. It was a breathtaking spectacle of ingenuity and splendour, with landscaped buildings and lush gardens reaching up to the horizon. Everywhere they looked, technology and nature blended into a harmonious masterpiece that, while alien and unfamiliar, they knew they would never forget.
OCEAN
TROPICS
A refreshing gust of sea air sailed through the narrow pathways of the aquatic city, as if it were being guided like a current. The sailor lived here. The city's structures were unlike anything the sailor had ever seen before. The buildings were not towering skyscrapers, but instead, resembled organic shapes of coral and sea creatures, constructed using natural materials like shells, rocks, and sand. The walls were textured with these materials, giving them an earthy sensation that was both beautiful and grounding. At the same time, the architectures glistened in the sun, radiating a vivid aquamarine glow that revealed this future metropolis' magical connection to nature.
As the sailor stepped outside of their dwelling, the view of the ocean horizon always took their breath away. The water and city stretched out into the horizon, a sapphire expanse that teemed with life: from colourful fish to schools of dolphins that danced in the distance. The city was located on an artificial reef, a vast underwater structure that acted as a foundation for the city above. Its man-made reefs served as walls and foundation, designed to protect against fierce weather while nurturing the creatures of the deep. The city seemed to grow out of the ocean itself, with tendrils of coral and seaweed reaching up to touch the walls of the buildings.
The sailor's daily routine was tied to the rhythms of the ocean. They would tend to a small garden that grew in a nook carved into the walls of their dwelling, harvesting fresh vegetables and fruits that thrived in the humid, tropical climate. In the afternoons, the mariner would take their sailboat out onto the water, fishing for dinner and exploring the intricate network of underwater tunnels and caves that ran throughout the reef. With a crew of AI-powered aqua drones working tirelessly beneath the waves, the sailor was connected to a global neural network that provided real-time data and insight into the ever-evolving state of the aquatic world.
The bold architecture of the aquatic city was a stunning spectacle. Constructed from recycled materials, the structures were a perfect blend of humanity and nature, with each structure rising up like an organic mountain range beneath the waves. Vivid coral and seaweed blanketed every surface, creating dazzling palettes of colour and texture. The futuristic city seemed to be alive, radiating energy as it embraced its marine environment. Nature and technology melded into one, in an eye-catching display of innovation and beauty. It was hard to tell where nature ended and the city began.
As the day faded into dusk, the mariner sat on the roof of their dwelling, gazing out at the horizon as the sun set. The colours of the sky were reflected in the ocean, creating a breathtaking scene that felt almost surreal. The sailor couldn't help but feel grateful for this incredible environment that they called home. In this aquatic metropolis, the sailor had found an opportunity to co-exist with their natural environment, and they wouldn't have it any other way.