Yujin Lee

Yujin Lee is a London based spatial designer, digital artist, and writer who focuses on constructing narrative spaces that invite audiences on a journey of discovery and wonder.

With extensive experience in architecture and art, Yujin has worked on designing exhibitions, events, and interior spaces. She has collaborated with iconic venues such as the British Museum, Royal Academy, and Royal Albert Hall. Currently, she is working on events linked to the fashion industry, creating immersive visuals and developing creative strategies for clients such as BVLGARI and Dior.

After completing her study in Interior Architecture and Digital Arts in Seoul, she extended her academic journey at the RCA where she delved into creating spaces that encourage audiences to actively engage with the built environment. By challenging the conventional roles that define the spatial designer and audience as the “narrator” and “listener”, she establishes a collaborative relationship with users to encompass the multiple narrative perspectives in her works.

At night I dream that you and I are two plants that grew together, roots entwined,

and that you know the earth and the rain like my mouth, since we are made of earth and rain.

- Pablo Neruda

In the FUTURES platform, my thesis project explores the future world through the lens of Speculative Spatial Design and the method of World-building.

" In a world where flora and fauna are synthesised to rectify the devastating human impacts on nature, what kind ofnew symbiotic communitywould emerge? "

Taking place in the hypothetical near future in 2049, the project speculates on the emergence of the new symbiosis; where architecture and the river are muddled together, man-made structures and natural habitat entangled, co-creating a new hybrid built environment that sustains each other.

This is 2049 in York, where synthesised sponges are integrated into locals' lives. Sponges protect people from flooding, and people take care of sponges so they can thrive.

The project evolved following the question of "How will we live together?” I explore the optimistic possibility of combining artificial intelligence and biotechnology. This exploration leads us to contemplate a novel form of symbiosis that holds the potential to redefine our way of life.

With analysed data on the dryness of the terrain and rising temperature, the ORACLE division foresaw a great drought in Charleston's farming area. SEB-GAIA drones to spread the seeds of the synthesised moss that can retain ample moisture on the surface.

Moss Monument to the "The Great Drought That Never Happened"

Facade of the Charleston Farmhouse, covered with the newly synthesised moss

Locals came up with the 'Moss curtain' to evade the machine's observation

The black market exchanging these newly synthesised species newly emerged

Synthesised Moss USB Souvenir that was distributed as a token of victory

The ALCHEMIST division found sea sponges as an ideal candidate to combat floods in future climate scenarios with their ability to absorb water and adapt to the rapidly changing environment. The various types of enhanced sponges can survive outside the water if hydrated and grow pervasively in the urban environment.

Flood Architects devised the irrigation system and frameworks that can nurture and maintain sponges' growth by assembling various modules and engaging with all the different levels, turning the site into a city-scaled sponge garden.

Facade of The Waterfront – Helen upstairs is watering sponges from her window

Sprinkler Spot for daily maintenance – even kids love to play with flower-shaped valves

Blobs blurring the boundaries

Sponge Farm – the half-submerged area on the edge of the river and the street, draping blobs act as the first barrier for the flood

Incubator – nurturing little sponges to grow enough to be implanted on the street

Riverside of the York – the irrigation system connects the river, street and the buildings

architecture biofuture climate-crisis design-futures ecology speculative-design speculative-futures storytelling symbiosis world-building

Yujin Lee

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Royal College of Art