Imagining architecture: science fiction as a source of futuristic design

Abstract

The profound changes that are happening based on new discoveries and new interpretations, of the world not only changes Architecture "as we know it", but also demands a reconfiguration of the way one looks at and approaches the discipline.. Thus designing for the future becomes more challenging as it belongs to the realms of "unknown" and "uncertain" that requires Architects to transcend from present realities and perceptions and engage in creative "imagination of futures". Such an approach requires inputs from many disciplines particularly through cross fertilization understanding to use other disciplines as channels of creativity, and mostly exploring unexplored territories that exist in realms that are unfamiliar to most Architects. Therefore, this paper argues that "science fiction" although quite an unexplored territory among architects, is a possible source that could be used in designing for the future. It attempts to bring to light the possibilities contained in the idea "form follows fiction" or more precisely "form follows science fiction" in futuristic designs and highlights ways of using it. Indeed the future of Architecture lies in such explorations which will provide the ideas, conceptualizations and tools to venture into the future which the contemporary approaches seem to be unable to provide.