dear designboom reader,

the new year begins with the playful constructions of fictional architecture. architect juan manuel prieto dreams up forest residences as energy-efficient dwellings defined by fangs, fur, scales, and shapes like exploding clouds. out of the land, designer yongwook seong dives into marine architecture and brings the nuances of the atlantis to the digital realm with his neo-coral city and underwater structures.

imaginative concepts also refer to bodily influences like architecture studio obmi’s hospitality design for ‘aera’, a transparent, body-carved building with stacks of landscape oases. this vertical resort offers a retreat within the heart of a city, a complement to juan pablo guerra’s underground space ‘burial’ on the rolling hills of querétaro in mexico.

we are only at the beginning, and quite literally on this day. from all of us at designboom, we wish you a happy, healthy, and productive 2023.

matthew burgos | editor