The theme that was explored was the Future of Arizona. What were concepts or problems that we could provide solutions for that would benefit the future of Arizona, and all of its inhabitants - human and nonhuman.
As technology proliferates, learning futures have evolved to a point where classes can be transferred online - leaving ASU Polytechnic campus with a surplus of space: buildings, fields, land etc. With the excess of space, Arizona State University opened a consortium to collaborate with the City of Mesa, a company called ModLife and several international institutions to revitalize the Polytechnic Campus to create a hyper-localized community.
The overall theme of this world was applying concepts commonly found in science-fiction, but are actively being researched or implemented. Such components such as:
Closed-loop agriculture
Localized produce
Sustainable architecture
Reusable building materials
Urban Terraforming
Modes of self expression
We focus on reinventing uses for the world around us: reusing land, food, and living spaces
Operating in a way that has a net zero impact or negligible impact on the environment
Everyone has equitable access to resources and things needed to survive: food, water, education etc…
By harnessing organic technology, or, technology that is already present in our ecosystems to solve quality of life problems
Urban Terraforming to live symbiotically with Arizona, not change it
Transparency in food supply
Efficient use of space without sacrificing aesthetics through modular living/flexible living spaces
Following a closed-loop economy
Reusing existing infrastructure to serve multiple purposes: ie reusing buildings for housing/community centers and reusing roads for parks
Cohesive opportunities for self-expression (no HOAs)
Use of algae for municipal uses: energy generation, food security and water quality
Embracing the use of technology within housing: 3D printing food, water purifiers, modular gardens
Locally sourcing food and alternate food supplies: within the community or having clear lines of supply chain
Move to a hyper local paradigm
Encorporating the worth of things that make the self happy in an ethical, not over consumerism way
Organic themes in that it represents life, rather than the sterility of minimalism and the brutality of brutalism
Designing with interspecies, robots, machines, and environments like rivers
How can we maximize space with design