Sean is founder of Chicago-based design agency Weathers, which brings together architects, landscape architects, engineers and researchers to explore and innovate ways to harness different forms of energy, hoping in turn to create a new type of sustainable architecture. 

Speaking at the biennial on the Weathers’ project New Energy Landscapes, Sean talks of a future where buildings no longer need walls, and are instead housed in a climate-controlled area of landscape, reports Dezeen.

“The greatest challenge facing architecture and our broader society today is the need for advancements in harnessing energy,” says Sean.

“Rather than continue to focus on maximising efficiency for [energy’s] conservation and consumption, we must provide an architecture with lifestyles for the future that give us new worlds to strive for and realise.”

Sean has spent eight year researching the technologies, which extends to energy and material technologies, including electromagnetic, thermodynamic, acoustic and chemical power.

These images are recreated from photographs of physical models that the Weathers team has built, with cloud-like energy sources floating above patched out floor spaces.

Not quite sure where the modesty of a toilet break or change of clothes comes into play. And definitely no hiding away from trick or treaters, or religious door knockers.

The talk is part of the theme of the city’s Design Biennial, titled The Future Is Not What It Used To Be.

Another design of interest includes this napping installation by German architect Jürgen Mayer H.

Called a Nap Gap room, it pumps out sleep-inducing pink noise over a furnished setting of pillows and soft lighting. Visitors are invited to a snooze between exhibits, and experience ‘nomadic sleeping’. 

Jürgen envisions this for our future, as our ever-increasing workload blurs the boundaries between work and social life.

Rooms such these are will become a necessity for humanity to catch up on their forty winks.

Dezeen is doing a fine job of curating their favourite designs from this year’s Biennial. Check it out here.