Forthcoming

Utopia in Architecture: Mobility in Conceptual Designs of the 21st Century

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53463/inda.20250361

Keywords:

Architectural utopia, mobility, sustainability, technological integration, modular living spaces

Abstract

Architectural literature often associates utopia with fixed forms, yet 21st-century ecological and demographic crises problematize permanence. This article examines conceptual designs within the context of mobility, investigating how they redefine it as a spatial solution for global challenges. Adopting a qualitative research approach, the study explores mobile settlements located underground, on the sea, in the sky, and in outer space. Through selected case studies, the impact of technological integration on life cycles, the flexibility potential of modularity, and the relationship between design and environmental context are comparatively analyzed. Findings indicate these designs focus heavily on sustainability, modularity, and technological integration. The proposed models offer solution-oriented approaches to contemporary issues like the climate crisis, resource depletion, and population growth. Consequently, mobility emerges as a vital functional spatial solution, offering valuable insights for future architectural projects.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Akkoyunlu Ertan, K. (2012). Ütopya tasarımlarında kent. İdealkent, 3(5), 38–67. Erişim adresi: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/idealkent/issue/36638/417085

BIG. (t.y.). OCEANIX CITY. Erişim adresi: https://big.dk/projects/oceanix-city-6399

Bilgiç, B. (2016, 22 Temmuz). Makoko yüzen okulu. Arkitera. Erişim adresi: https://www.arkitera.com/proje/makoko-yuzen-okulu/

Bunker Arquitectura. (t.y.). The Earthscraper. Erişim adresi: https://www.bunkerarquitectura.com/the-earthscraper

Duman Yüksel, Ü. (2012). Antikçağdan günümüze kent ütopyaları. İdealkent, 5, 8–37. Erişim adresi: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/idealkent/issue/36638/417084

Epstein, P. (Yönetmen). (2015, 10 Kasım). Fire on the Mir (Sezon 1, Bölüm 1) [TV programı bölümü]. Secret Space Escapes içinde.

Fairs, M. (2019, 4 Nisan). BIG and MIT unveil concept for floating cities at United Nations. Dezeen. Erişim adresi: https://www.dezeen.com/2019/04/04/oceanix-city-floating-big-mit-united-nations/

Glukhovsky, D. (2005). Metro 2033 (1st ed.). Moscow: Eksmo.

Inocente, D., Koop, C., Petrov, G. I., Hoffman, J. A., Sumini, V., Makaya, A., Arnhof, M., Lakk, H., Lamaze, B., Cowley, A., Binns, D., Landgraf, B., Messina, P. ve Haigneré, C. (2019, Ekim). Master planning and space architecture for a Moon Village. 70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) te sunulan bildiri, Washington, DC, ABD. Erişim adresi: https://www.som.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/20191213_som_research_iac_paper.pdf

Judd, E. (2022, Mart). HAVOC: High Altitude Venus Operational Concept. NASA. Erişim adresi: https://sacd.larc.nasa.gov/smab/havoc/

Kuklin, B. (1977). Housing and technology: The mobile home experience. Tennessee Law Review, 44, 765–844. Erişim adresi: https://brooklynworks.brooklaw.edu/faculty/152/

McDowell, J. (2025, 8 Nisan). Jonathan’s Space Report: Satellite and debris statistics. Planet4589.org. Erişim adresi: https://planet4589.org/space/stats/active.html

Moon Village. (2020, Eylül). CDF Study Report: CDF-202(A) – Issue 1.1. Erişim adresi: https://www.som.com/research/moon-village/

NASA. (t.y.). Venus. NASA Science. Erişim adresi: https://science.nasa.gov/venus/

NASA. (2024). Artemis. Erişim adresi: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/

Newcott, B. (2021, 22 Mart). Collision on Russian space station Mir almost ended in tragedy. National Geographic. Erişim adresi: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/collision-russian-space-station-mir-almost-ended-tragedy

Özlav, E. (2022, 23 Eylül). Uzay istasyonlarının dünü, bugünü, geleceği. Kurious. Erişim adresi: https://kurious.ku.edu.tr/uzay-istasyonlarinin-dunu-bugunu-gelecegi/

Sands, L. (2022, 25 Şubat). Ukraine conflict: Kyiv residents shelter in metro stations. BBC News. Erişim adresi: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60522450

Sekman, A. (2017). Kentsel formların ütopya ve distopya kavramları bağlamında irdelenmesi. Toplum ve Demokrasi, 11(23), 103–120. Erişim adresi: https://www.academia.edu/29441890

Shanaz. (2023, 14 Nisan). What are 'Earthscrapers'? Detailed guide. Novatr. Erişim adresi: https://www.novatr.com/blog/what-are-earthscrapers-detailed-guide-2023

Shearer, H. ve Burton, P. (2018). Towards a typology of tiny houses. Housing, Theory and Society, 36(3), 298–318. https://doi.org/10.1080/14036096.2018.1487879

Skidmore, Owings ve Merrill. (2024, 15 Nisan). Moon Village. Erişim adresi: https://www.som.com/news/moon-village-xiamen-copy/

Skidmore, Owings ve Merrill. (t.y.). Moon Village research. Erişim adresi: https://www.som.com/research/moon-village/

Space Crew Team. (2024, 8 Mart). Future space stations. Space Crew. Erişim adresi: https://spacecrew.com/blog/future-space-stations

Şahin, O. E. (2023). Modern ütopyacı düşünürlerin ideal kent arayışları. Akademik İzdüşüm Dergisi, 8(2), 465–494. https://doi.org/s.469

T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı. (t.y.). İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri. Erişim tarihi: 13 Temmuz 2024, https://muze.gov.tr/muze-detay?DistId=DKY&SectionId=DKY01

The Planetary Society. (t.y.). Every Venus mission ever. Erişim adresi: https://www.planetary.org/space-missions/every-venus-mission

Tsymbalova, T., Kharlan, O. ve Shulha, H. (2024). Typological analysis of mobile housing technology in the context of the problem of energy saving. E3S Web of Conferences, 534, 01023. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202453401023

UN-Habitat. (2022, 27 Nisan). UN-Habitat and partners unveil OCEANIX Busan, the world’s first prototype floating city. UN-Habitat. Erişim adresi: https://unhabitat.org/news/27-apr-2022/un-habitat-and-partners-unveil-oceanix-busan-the-worlds-first-prototype-floating

United Nations General Assembly. (2024, 25 Eylül). Addressing the existential threats posed by sea-level rise: High-level plenary meeting. Erişim adresi: https://www.un.org/pga/78/high-level-meeting-on-sea-level-rise/

Published

2025-12-19

How to Cite

Avcı, E., & Kavut, İsmail E. (2025). Utopia in Architecture: Mobility in Conceptual Designs of the 21st Century. Journal of Interior Design and Academy, 5(2), 184–203. https://doi.org/10.53463/inda.20250361

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>