Will Langston Modi Blog

 Will Langston Here is the pdf link to my prospectus draft   https://drive.google.com/file/d/11dBVie4rQy1jD2hvRv4PrFCLDg7eqTp4/view?usp=sharing

 Will Langston Approach The investigation into the application of designing in speculative outer-space environments will be seen through a methodology that combines case studies, analysis of existing outer-space architecture, and the creation of hybrid drawings to visualize deeper understandings. This approach aims to bridge the gap between real-world architectural precedents and speculative design concepts, providing insights into the principles that inform both.   Primary Paradigm or Theory The primary paradigm from which this capstone is launched is rooted in the intersection of architectural theory, speculative design, and space exploration. By analyzing principles from these disciplines, this approach seeks to explore the possibilities and constraints of architectural design in the context of outer space, informed by both observation and imaginative speculation.   Research or Design Strategies The overarching research strategy proposed involves conducting...

  Will Langston Updated Background Here is an updated background describing my new interpretation of my question  “How can speculative outer space architecture be grounded in principles of design?” Title:  Speculative Frontiers Design Principles of Social Context, Environment, and Technology Designing for fundamental concepts of individual and community well-being encompasses a range of considerations, from social behavior and cultural context to environmental sustainability and technological innovation. Understanding and applying these principles is essential for architects, designers, and engineers seeking to create functional, aesthetically pleasing, and socially responsible designs. Design for Social Context- This involves considering the needs, preferences, and behaviors of individuals and communities within the built environment. Key principles include human-centered design, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement. Architecture has always considered...

Will Langston Before I start my background, I am attempting to still understand my question. So here are some possibilities for what I am thinking of now after meeting with Professor Holland last class period. How can the principles of architectural design, in real and imaginative sciences inform the speculative application of these principles in outer space environments? Or How can designing for environment, social context, and technology, functionality, and spatial qualities in real and imaginative sciences inform the speculative application of these principles in outer space environments? Possible Title: Imagining Frontiers: Architectural Principles in Speculative Outer-Space Exploration The list of architectural principles I want to break down is. Designing for environment, technology, social context, environment, and functionality. Background: In recent years, the field of architecture has witnessed a growing interest in exploring the intersection of real-world ...

  Will Langston     I currently have a very broad idea of how I want to move forward with my inquiry. After speaking with Professor Holland, I have decided to ultimately recognize that I want to dive into creating speculative environments. I have a strong engagement for visual storytelling.  Overall, I want to be able to create/design a hypothetical/speculative environment on another planet that does not have any history attached to it, or prebuilt infrastructure to hold the settlement back. It would be restarting on a planet that is slightly different than our own, and inferring how the development of future technologies would help us build on these wild environments.  Thinking of how I want to configure this capstone into more of an inquiry I have a couple of options : Space Exploration and Terraforming : Research current and proposed space exploration missions, such as those to Mars or the Moon. Look into the challenges and possibilities of terraforming or ad...

Will Langston Thinking About Feedback from the Honors Committee Presenting my ideas and getting feedback was a good way to think about how I want to adapt my research moving forward... I have been thinking about future settlements or built environments that can adapt to high danger environments that we are unfamiliar with. The honors committee asked that the ideas don't really seem like they involve outer-space necessarily, and I haven't looked at it that way before. They suggested that maybe it does not involve space, but rather just the planet itself, because maybe the planet that has this really drastic environment could be the Earth in the far away future.  Potentially, what if our planets orbit becomes elliptical, meaning that it will only be habitable in the summer. Meaning that other life on the planet hibernates or nests eggs in the winter to repopulate in the summer time. I think researching or picking one area of an environment and making it extreme and showing how fu...

  Will Langston I have been doing some research on our culture's vision of outer space and what are the ways in which we think about settlements. When people think of living in outer space they automatically think of these crazy giant scale settlements. These preconceived notions have no history and are defined by unprecedented plans that seemingly have no correlation between how humans want to live and of outer space living.  Looking at works of Fred Scharmen, it is clear there are 3 main types of audiences that some of the works or visionary outer space planning can reach.  He talks about the “Big science, technical audience. Pop culture visionary futurist audience. Post counter cultural audience.”  It is very clear that the works he talks about have an intention of creating settlements that are not dependent on planets. Studying works that instead create these wheels that are miles long that can home up to 1 million people.  I think it is interesting to creat...