Utopian creation is recurrent in history. It manifests itself essentially in periods of regression or progress, or when a feeling of desire flows as the need to realise a different (future) lifestyle. With the term Thomas Moro’s coinage and in the early works, Utopia indicated an imaginary place or a non-place where all desirable objectives were realised in a so-called ideal life. The same term has acquired different characters in history, as unattainable, impossible or even its exact opposite: apocalyptic. By placing this thesis, in the current historical period - in which Utopia is a concept that has come to an end - coinciding with the modernist crisis of the capitalist West and the technological revolution of the last decades, a new visionary point of view towards the future is investigated: the sustainable technological utopism. Taking into consideration a broad perspective of contemporary debates, through critical analysis, we want to understand how the idea of optimistic projection, based on the use of biotechnologies and creative sustainability, presents a close relationship with the innovations in the aesthetic representation of architecture in the progress of the languages for architectural form. To this end, the idea of Utopia is considered as the engine of the future, as part of a creative process, essential for new developments and necessary for the implications of a new sustainable architectural practice. Unaware of the positive and negative consequences, the Utopia is considered a potential process for the future’s sustainable architectural vision. This research is under the idea of co-evolution between architectural invention and utopian projection and in contradiction with the current absolutist negative visions of Utopia. In conclusion, a future debate is left open on the biotechnological potential of Utopia, understood as an expressive and visionary, critical and creative tool, able to contribute to a continuous renewal of the field of sustainable architecture.

Author: Caterina Sposato

Published in: World Congress on Sustainable Technologies (WCST-2020)

• Date of Conference: 8-10 December 2020
• DOI: 10.20533/WCST.2020.0005
• ISBN: 978-1-913572-25-9
• Conference Location: London, UK