Imagined Spaces
In storytelling, architecture is never just scenery.
It is a presence. It is mood. It is character.
Whether looming in the background or occupying the foreground like a living entity, the spaces in which stories unfold—on the page or on the screen—often carry just as much emotional and thematic weight as the characters themselves. Great writers, like great Architects, understand that structure is not neutral. It shapes the way we move, how we feel, and who we become.
In fiction, architecture often transcends its functional role. A house becomes a memory. A school becomes a proving ground. A castle becomes a mind map. These spaces are meticulously imagined—down to the hallways, staircases, and silhouettes—serving as extensions of psyche and plot. Though not physically constructed, they are no less architectural in form or intention.
As Architects and Engineers, we know the influence of the built environment on behavior and emotion. In fiction, that influence is untethered by code or cost—authors and screenwriters are free to design purely for meaning. The result? Some of the most unforgettable spaces ever “built” exist only in our imaginations.
We asked our Architects to share the fictional spaces—whether from books or films—that left a lasting impression on them.
The Jetsons - Alan Dostert, President and Architect
I always loved the architecture of The Jetsons cartoon show. Turns out, that retro-futuristic style has a name—Googie—and it was influenced by real architects like John Lautner and Oscar Niemeyer. The animators behind The Jetsons drew inspiration from the sleek, space-age designs emerging around Los Angeles in the mid-20th century, as well as striking international works.
Keep in mind, the show debuted in 1962 and imagined the world of 2026. What fascinated me was how their buildings weren’t floating or powered by spaceships—they were anchored by single or multi-support columns, suggesting the earth itself was no longer a desirable place to live. That idea stuck with me.
I’ve even collected examples—Jetsons-style buildings from the show, their real-life counterparts, and a modern interpretation of what I envisioned the future might look like when I was young.
Harry Potter – Paige Riddle, Architect
When I was a kid, I was captivated by the magic of Harry Potter—especially the winding, whimsical streets of Diagon Alley. The old-world storefronts, brimming with oddities and enchantment, sparked a deep curiosity in me. They felt like a portal to another world, one filled with possibility and imagination. Years later, I found myself walking Victoria Street in Edinburgh—one of the streets said to have inspired Diagon Alley. The feeling was the same. The scale, the textures, the intricate facades… everything echoed that childhood sense of wonder. For me, it was a reminder that great design, whether fictional or real, is in the details. It’s what transforms a place into an experience—and a memory.
Star Wars – Todd Jelinski, Principal Architect
I’ve always enjoyed the Star Wars movies—no single favorite, just a deep appreciation for the world-building. But one location that continues to blow my mind architecturally is the planet Coruscant. An entire planet that functions as a single, interconnected city? To me, that’s an Architect’s dream.
I’ve always been drawn to big cities—New York, Chicago, Minneapolis—but the place that came closest to that Coruscant feeling? Dubai. I’ve been fortunate to visit twice (I know, humble brag), and each time, whether riding the metro or in a taxi, I felt like I was inside a Star Wars movie. The skyline is futuristic, layered, and surreal. The scale, the innovation, the audacity of it all—it’s the closest I’ve come to experiencing Coruscant in real life.
Les Misérables – Robin Sim, Senior Architect
In fiction, architecture can shape more than just setting—it can reveal heart, conviction, and sacrifice. One space that has stayed with me is from Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. Bishop Myriel, a character of quiet strength and compassion, gives up his grand palace—with its sweeping courtyard and noble air—to live in a tiny, narrow hospital next door, where beds spill into the hallways.
He does this so that the sick and suffering in his town can receive care in a place worthy of their dignity. That gesture, so simple and profound, has always resonated with me. It’s a reminder that architecture is not just about shelter—it can be a vessel for hope, for humanity, and for the values we choose to build our lives around.
Fictional or real, every space tells a story. The imagined spaces we carry with us—whether born from novels, screenplays, or animated sitcoms—shape how we view the built world. They show us that architecture isn’t just about what we construct; it’s about what we convey.
For Architects and Engineers, that’s the lasting truth: whether drawn on paper, built in concrete, or imagined in prose, it’s the spaces that stay with us. Real or fictional, they shape how we feel, how we remember—and how we dream.
