Elysium: Architectural Inspiration in a Dystopian Future
Released in 2013 and directed by Neill Blomkamp, Elysium is a science fiction film set in the year 2154, portraying a dystopian scenario between Earth and the orbiting space station named Elysium. The narrative unfolds in a world besieged by disease, overpopulation, crime, poverty, and a bleak landscape. The wealthiest people escape Earth to live in a high-tech habitat called Elysium. An industrial accident leaves a lowly factory worker Max portrayed by Matt Damon with just five days to live. So to be cured he embarks on a journey to Elysium with strict anti-immigration enforcement. He effectively portrays Max’s determination and inner conflict as he is fighting against the oppressive system to secure a better life for himself and fellow Earth residents.
In the movie, the Earth scenes showcase sprawling slums, dilapidated structures, poverty, and an overall sense of overcrowding. The Earth is portrayed as a grim and desolate wasteland, marked by overcrowded slums, polluted skies, and crumbling infrastructure. The architectural design reflected in the movie depicts the harsh realities of poverty, scarcity, and neglect, with makeshift shelters, ramshackle buildings, and scavenged materials cobbled together in a desperate struggle for survival. The architecture on the Earth reflects a haphazard and utilitarian design, emphasizing the harsh living conditions of most of the population. The architecture of the housing depicted in the movie is similar to that of the favelas built purely out of necessity. The living conditions shown in the movie are similar to that of Hong Kong where slums are built on top of the apartments with thousands of occupants because of lack of space.
On the other hand, Elysium is depicted as a pristine and luxurious enclave floating in the space, characterized by sleek, minimalist architecture and advanced technological infrastructure. Elysium is the epitome of futuristic and magnificent architecture. It’s in the shape of a circle but very finite with limited space for a certain amount of people. Most of the structures are fluid and organic making them more realistic. The space station features sleek, modern designs, luxury residences, and pristine landscapes. The habitat has a utopian aesthetic with expensive estates, advanced medical facilities, clean lines, polished surfaces, and expansive glass windows that symbolize exclusivity. The architectural contrast between Earth and Elysium is a powerful visual metaphor for societal inequality.
In contrast to the Earth, the architecture of Elysium represents a vision of a perfect, high-tech future reserved exclusively for the privileged elites. Visually, Elysium is a stunning achievement, with breathtaking special effects that bring its futuristic world to life. The visual placement of Earth’s dilapidated structures and Elysium’s pristine architecture symbolize the extreme socio-economic divide shown in the movie. The filmmakers have used architecture as a visual language to emphasize the immense gap between the economic differences. The contrast is not only about aesthetics but also about the tangible consequences of system inequality and societal negligence.
Elysium has a visually stunning and technologically advanced world that many can find inspiring. The film showcases futuristic architecture characterized by sleek lines, innovative designs and materials, and advanced construction technologies. The structures on Elysium are designed with a focus on opulence, creating a contrast to the neglected and polluted conditions of the Earth. The sleek, futuristic design of Elysium represents the pinnacle of human achievement and technological progress, while the dilapidated structures of Earth serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of inequality and exploitation. In any design, the integration of technology is important as it enhances the habitat’s efficiency and functionality, catering to the needs and desires of its affluent inhabitants.
Architects can take inspiration from the film’s depiction of cutting-edge technology, construction using modular elements, incorporating transparent materials, and sustainable technologies. Imagine buildings that seamlessly blend with the natural environment while utilizing advanced energy systems to promote environmental consciousness. Designing structures that provide a sense of luxury and comfort, while also addressing the needs of a diverse population, can be a fascinating challenge while also incorporating elements of inclusivity catering to different lifestyles. The spatial layout of Elysium reflects its hierarchical social structure, with the central hub reserved for the wealthiest residents and the outer ring occupied by lower-tier citizens. So it is important to design in such a way that there is no segregation between any two classes. Not even between the wealthiest.
Architects can draw inspiration from the film’s socio-economic commentary. They can explore designs that promote social equality and status. Also, the haphazard and unplanned housing growth is a problem that arises with a growing population and architects can propose different solutions for the housing problem and how the growing population can fit in a given limited land area with proper health care, equality, and proper services. The structures on the Earth are characterized by their improvised nature and resourcefulness. It is important to understand that not everything can be newly made and is limited so it is a must to design sustainably and without the waste of infrastructure.
In conclusion, Elysium serves as a compelling source of inspiration for architects through its contrasting portrayal of Earth’s slums and Elysium’s opulent architecture. The film results in architects envisioning a future where design is not only for aesthetics but also for issues such as environmental sustainability, social inequality, accessibility, housing problems, and urban planning challenges. Architects are prompted to delve into inventive solutions for housing, healthcare, and urban planning that embrace inclusivity. The futuristic realm depicted in Elysium provides a limitless space for crafting structures that harmonize with nature, emphasizing sustainability and addressing the varied requirements of a burgeoning population. This cinematic inspiration serves as a call for architects to visualize a world where design becomes a catalyst for positive transformation, closing the divides between the privileged and the marginalized, and nurturing a future that is both sustainable and inclusive.
References:
Eggert, B., 2013. Deep Focus Review. [Online] Available at: https://www.deepfocusreview.com/elysium-the-art-of-the-film/[Accessed 31 03 2024].
image engine design inc, 2013. image engine. [Online] Available at: https://image-engine.com/case-studies/elysium/[Accessed 01 04 2024].
White, B., 2013. Why so blu?. [Online] Available at: https://whysoblu.com/elysium-movie-review/[Accessed 30 03 2024].
