Article Title

Bubble City

Authors

Elise Dusenshine, Kean UniversityFollow

Abstract

Bubble City is a satirical architectural research project that assesses the ignorance of the obscenely rich in a world riddled by climate change and filled with others who do not have the power to do anything about it. Rather than use their resources to address and solve these problems, it is typical for urgent dilemmas to be averted, and for ideas of escapism and avoidance to permeate this specific bracket of wealth. The project sits on the edge of fantasy and reality, where the absurdity of human “needs” in times of turmoil is questioned. Will there come a point when the rich will be able to use their resources to escape the inevitability of a rapidly changing climate? What sort of unnecessary luxuries will we still require when many have nothing left? Bubble City explores one possibility in a bleak future, with “ultra-filtered air,” “apocalypse-proof” bubble material, indoor infinity pools, and luxury shopping centers existing in the city, despite the tumultuous environment surrounding it. The project mirrors the format and irrationality of luxury housing advertising that was researched as a precedent. This included over-the-top visuals used when advertising the real estate of extravagant locations like Las Vegas, Nevada, but also complexes and villages that hit a little closer to home like Vermella, which was recently built across the street from Kean University. These complexes offer a unique solution for those that have the money to attain it, with exorbitant luxuries like in-home movie theatres and bowling alleys.

Recommended Citation

Dusenshine, Elise (2020) "Bubble City," Kean Quest: Vol. 2: Iss. 2, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/keanquest/vol2/iss2/2