The Alchemy of Survival
Kinetoscope
2085 Narrative
It’s the year 2085, and human reliance on AI has reached its breaking point. In a relentless pursuit of clean and renewable energy through nuclear fusion, society has once again entrusted artificial intelligence to fulfil this long-standing ambition. But the AI system designed to manage the fusion process failed catastrophically, releasing toxic tritium gas into the atmosphere. The aftermath has devastated the civilian population, leaving survivors plagued by severe health issues, including widespread respiratory infections, stomach illnesses, and skin disease. The world now faces the dire consequences of unchecked technological ambition, as the boundaries between progress and peril blur.
Spatial Concept
In response to crisis, The Alchemy of Survival offers a retreat for Nottingham’s community—promoting healing through Chinese herbal medicine. Visitors prepare astragalus tea and ointments to ease health issues linked to environmental exposure. Inspired by the properties of tritium gas and personal studies of infiltration, the architecture reflects movement, diffusion, and transformation. The spatial journey begins with the cultivation of herbs using bio-mesh and solar drying systems, followed by a production zone where remedies are crafted. The experience culminates at a communal tea station—a reflective space where people gather, share, and recover together, restoring both health and connection in the aftermath of catastrophe.
