When science-fiction is done right, the most fascinating aspect of it can be the futuristic worlds they create—how people speak, the clothes they wear, and how the buildings look. Some are a statement about the present political atmosphere while others are less metaphorical and just surreal.
The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., along with partner organization Blank Space, recently announced the winners of the fourth annual Fairy Tale competition, the largest architecture competition in the world. It invites architects, designers, engineers, students, and others to submit original architectural “fairy tales”—basically, sci-fi short stories accompanied by concept art. The competition received submissions from over 60 countries.
The winning entry, “Last Day,” from Ukrainian architect Mykhailo Ponomarenko, was chosen by a jury of more than 20 leading architects. Said Ponomarenko of his project:
“Landscapes have always inspired me to put something weird, unreal and out of human scale into them. Something not feasible and not practical that contrasts with the natural surroundings, but also exists at the same scale. These satirical interventions lead to new ideas and feelings about nature—they make the viewer more aware about the environment and our harmful impact on it. We are flat surface creatures. Sometimes I feel that we crave it so much that the planet is going to be turned into pavement so cars can go anywhere, and our industries could continue expanding. The ‘Saturn Rings’ in my proposal represent these flat surface desires but in a more poetic, optimistic, and friendly manner.”
Below, find the concept art Ponomarenko included with winning short story. (The story can be found here.)
For the rest of the finalists and runners-up, click here.
—RealClearLife Staff
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