2085 Narrative
As the world has become increasingly reliant on technology, the demand for energy has led to severe atmospheric damage, allowing outer space phenomena like solar flares to reach Earth. AI systems have been put in place to track and predict these phenomena with Solar Flares proving to be the most dangerous threat to daily life. In 2085, the system doesn’t identify a major flare and Kirkenes, Norway is burnt to the ground. A group of scientists decide to act and head to Papplewick Pumping Station to establish a Science Centre. They find an old Orrey reminding them of Earth’s proximity to the Sun, and they realise that to live in harmony with it they must heal the atmosphere. This leads to a rebellion against AI, the programmes are shut down and the energy production systems are switched off.
Spatial Concept
The redevelopment of the Pumping Station will create a design to allow the ‘healing’ rebellion to take place and remind visitors of how the Earth was. The design will reference the relic that inspired the key principles of the rebellion, helping society to ‘reconnect’ with the Earth, increase ‘independence from technology’ and ‘disrupt’ the AI culture that has taken over. The design will consist of 4 spaces: an observatory to track the phenomena, a planetarium to educate visitors, a nuclear fusion power station and corresponding laboratories, and a greenhouse to allow regrowth of the site. Throughout the design, themes of nature and space have been used to structurally represent the knowledge being passed to visitors and workers.
