DESIGN RESEARCH
“Everything is becoming science fiction. [...] What the writers of modern science fiction invent today, you and I will do tomorrow—or, more exactly, in about ten years’ time.”
- J. G. Ballard
Science fiction has become a vital genre for exploring the potential dangers of progress, particularly in the aftermath of World War II, when technological advancements exposed the destructive capabilities of human innovation. J.G. Ballard, whose works span six decades, epitomizes this exploration through dystopian narratives that delve into the psychology of humanity. Often focusing on a singular, catastrophic event, Ballard’s novels examine the dehumanization and decay of society, reflecting the unsettling effects of technological, social, and environmental developments. The term Ballardian has even been coined to describe the stark, man-made landscapes and psychological tensions central to his stories.
Ballard’s protagonists are unconventional in their reactions to disaster, often preferring chaos over the stability that precedes it. They indulge in the unfolding events rather than attempting to reverse them, revealing deep-seated psychological traits that existed beneath the surface. These narratives are surreal yet eerily plausible, offering speculative reflections on the consequences of lapses in judgment.
The dystopian settings in Ballard’s works—shopping malls, business parks, office spaces, and suburbs—are depicted as hyper-organized yet inherently flawed environments. They expose the complexities of cultural and social relationships and highlight the paradoxical dissatisfaction of modern life, where people often act against their perceived desires. Ballard’s disaster stories are surprisingly optimistic, finding moments of transformation within upheaval, even as his characters confront bleak outcomes.
For this project, a selection of Ballard’s stories was analyzed to understand the architectural typologies and environments he envisioned, offering valuable insights into speculative urban futures.
Science Fiction and theories
The Concentration City: Instincts
“There must be free space somewhere, the City must have bounds.”
- J. G. Ballard, “The Concentration City”
In The Concentration City, Ballard envisions a dystopian megalopolis that stretches infinitely, erasing the concept of free space. The protagonist, Franz, embarks on a futile quest for empty space, a mythical notion in a world consumed by dense urban development. The city’s structure, self-sufficient yet fragile, frequently collapses, causing massive casualties. Franz’s aspirations to find openness are dismissed by other inhabitants as insanity, as the city has no boundaries and no room for escape.
The story delves into themes of overpopulation, flawed construction, and the psychological toll of constrained environments. Franz’s yearning for freedom reflects a fundamental human instinct to seek grandeur and openness, prompting questions about the limits of dense urban planning. This thesis builds on the narrative to explore how densified cities might incorporate large open spaces as refuges, allowing inhabitants to rejuvenate and counteract the claustrophobic nature of urban life. It raises the question: can providing such freedom within a city prevent the desire for a grander escape?
“BILLENNIUM”: SPACE
“For an hour they exchanged places, wandering silently around the dusty room, stretching their arms to feel its emptiness grasping at the sensation of absolute spatial freedom.”
- J. G. Ballard, “Billennium”
Billennium presents a grim reality where overpopulation forces humanity into increasingly confined living quarters. The city council restricts individuals to 3.5 square meters of living space, a limit that continues to shrink. Ballard’s protagonists, John Ward and Henry Rossiter, struggle to escape the suffocating congestion, only to replicate the cramped conditions they sought to avoid by partitioning newly acquired spaces to save money.
The story critiques the profit-driven systems that exploit tenants in overcrowded cities, where landlords prioritize financial gain over humane living conditions. This thesis extends the narrative to investigate the potential of designing spaces with varied unit sizes, balancing profitability with livability. By creating hierarchical housing models, larger units could cater to those who can afford them while smaller units address broader population needs. The exploration raises ethical concerns: can tiny living be a solution for overpopulation, or does it perpetuate inequalities?
High-Rise: Division
“In a sense life in the high-rise had begun to resemble the world outside - there were the same ruthlessness and aggression concealed within a set of polite conventions.”
- J. G. Ballard, High-Rise
In High-Rise, Ballard examines the psychological and social breakdown within a self-contained, forty-story apartment complex. The building, envisioned as a utopian vertical city, is divided by class, with residents’ privileges determined by their floor levels. Initially, the residents coexist peacefully under a set of rules, but as the amenities fail, chaos and violence erupt, exposing the tenants’ animalistic instincts. The novel captures how isolation and social stratification erode moral boundaries.
The building, once a symbol of modern convenience, transforms into a dystopian prison, where residents devolve into barbarism. This thesis draws on the narrative to explore the fragility of social systems within architectural designs. It questions whether buildings should establish internal social hierarchies and examines how detachment from the broader urban environment can disrupt communal harmony. The story challenges architects to reconsider the role of self-contained developments in fostering or hindering equitable social interaction.
Kingdom Come: Retail
“‘This isn’t just a shopping mall. It’s more like a…’ ‘religious experience?’ ‘Exactly! It’s like going to church. And here you can go every day and you get something to take home’”
- J. G. Ballard, Kingdom Come
Kingdom Come critiques consumer culture by presenting a suburb where shopping becomes a spiritual and compulsive act. The Metro-Centre, a sprawling shopping mall, symbolizes consumerism taken to an extreme, fueling violence and dissatisfaction among its inhabitants. The protagonist, Richard Pearson, initially investigates a murder but discovers that the real antagonist is the collective boredom and emptiness of suburban life. Shopping becomes a ritual of temporary fulfillment, with people consuming not out of necessity but as a societal compulsion.
Pearson’s collaboration with David Cruise introduces a system that merges consumerism with fascism, controlling the population through their desires and fears. The novel examines the psychological consequences of consumer-driven societies, questioning whether consumption defines modern identity and if escape from this cycle is possible. This thesis uses the narrative to critique the sustainability of consumer-centric urban models, probing whether they can ever provide lasting satisfaction or if they perpetuate dissatisfaction and systemic inequality.
PRECEDENTS AND ARCHITECTURAL ANALYSIS
The Arcade Providence: Adaptive Reuse
“Not only does it [the central atrium] provide filtered light to the units, but it becomes the ‘public street’ connecting neighbors.”
- Michael Abbott
Originally built in 1828 as the first indoor shopping mall in the United States, The Arcade Providence was a hub for social interaction and commerce. Its innovative design featured rows of shops in an enclosed space, redefining shopping as an entertainment activity. Today, the building has been repurposed to address housing shortages, transforming into a micro-loft complex while preserving its historic Greek Revival structure. The project incorporates retail units alongside micro-apartments, each ranging from 21 to 42 square meters, offering affordable living spaces in a growing urban area.
The design prioritizes affordability and convenience, attracting single households who value proximity to work and recreation. By blending preservation with practical urban living, The Arcade Providence demonstrates how adaptive reuse can revive underutilized commercial spaces, fostering community within cities. While it cannot resolve the housing crisis alone, it serves as a model for creating functional and vibrant urban communities.
Kowloon Walled City: Density
“Every available nook and cranny was inhabited, while the connecting alleys, stairways and corridors were reduced to an absolute minimum.”
- Ian Lambot
Known as the "city of darkness," Kowloon Walled City exemplified extreme urban density and lawlessness. Originally built as a Chinese military fort, it evolved into an unregulated enclave housing around 40,000 people within a six-acre area. Residents adapted their environment with makeshift construction, creating a maze of interconnected buildings that disregarded architectural or safety standards. Despite its chaotic appearance, the city functioned as a refuge for those seeking affordable living and flexibility.
The city’s dense, unplanned evolution raises questions about current urban development strategies, which continue to shrink living spaces to accommodate growing populations. Kowloon Walled City thrived on adaptability, with its multipurpose units supporting residences, workshops, and factories. Its history highlights the potential of flexible urban design, though it also underscores the challenges of sustaining dense, unregulated environments.
Songpa Micro-Housing: Living
“The idea is to take a small area and make it into a comfortable living environment that can be adapted according to changing needs.”
- Jinhee Park, Principal Architect, SsD
Songpa Micro-Housing in Seoul addresses the growing demand for affordable living in a densely populated city. The project integrates compact, well-designed units with shared public spaces, balancing privacy and community. Each micro-apartment includes essential amenities, such as a kitchen, bathroom, and multipurpose furniture, within a small footprint. The design emphasizes natural light and efficient layouts, creating a sense of spaciousness despite the limited size.
The building incorporates semi-public and private spaces, encouraging social interaction among residents while respecting individual privacy. Wrapped in a stainless steel facade, the structure maintains privacy while connecting occupants to the urban environment. Songpa Micro-Housing offers a modern approach to micro-living, addressing the needs of young professionals and small households in a city facing rising housing costs. It challenges misconceptions about micro-homes, showcasing how thoughtful design can transform small spaces into functional and desirable living environments.
Common Ground: Compartmentalization
Common Ground redefines retail environments by utilizing prefabricated shipping containers to create a flexible, vibrant shopping hub. Located in the heart of the city, the project incorporates 200 containers into an open, modular layout, combining a market hall, street market, and public square. This adaptable approach allows the structure to be relocated or repurposed as needed, addressing the challenges of short land leases and changing consumer trends.
The design promotes interaction, featuring terraces, open public spaces, and cultural events that encourage participation beyond consumption. Unlike traditional malls that trap consumers in a maze of shops, Common Ground creates a dynamic and inclusive environment. The project exemplifies the potential of prefabricated architecture to adapt to urban needs, blending commercial functionality with community engagement.