Between the Seams: Collective Fantasies of the Gigantic Miniature
"To the small-scale belong the toy and the model, and in these there is something of the satisfaction felt by the mighty, who cannot live without dwarfs."
— Misattributed quote to Walter Benjamin by ChatGPT 4.o, in conversation with Andy Bako
This advanced design studio explored the tension between compression and scale through the creation of speculative architectural miniatures. Set in Madrid's vibrant Lavapiés neighborhood, students produced dollhouse-scale models that blur the boundaries between reality and imagination.
The project combines analog craftsmanship with cutting-edge AI technology, using extensive visual documentation from Madrid to train their generative AI models. To do so, students collected datasets of architectural surfaces, cultural artifacts, and urban details, then hybridized these images through AI tools like Krea and Midjourney to create speculative design possibilities.
The miniature served as both representational tool and critical design framework—compressing vast urban narratives into intimate design artifacts. Through scenographic techniques and model photography, these miniatures become stages for storytelling, bridging personal authorship and collective cultural memory.
Cameron Farr, Cassie Smith, Ashley Sparks
Karina Thome, Taylor Wordell, Tea Kim
Sammi Riddell, Michelle Lowe, Thao Truong
ADVANCED DESIGN STUDIO
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
SPRING 2025
Students:
Kaiya Adams, Cameron Farr, Tea Kim, Michelle Lowe, Sammi Riddell, Cassie Smith, Ashley Sparks, Karina Thome, Thao Truong, Taylor Wordell, Dany Adrade, Zoe Choate, Valentina Claros, Zaria Sumling, Yasmin Torres