Narrative
TerraFlux
[the cloud that rains]: humanity’s rehearsal for the future, a transhuman data driven system
TerraFlux as a Singularity Threshold
The Technological Singularity marks the moment when artificial intelligence surpasses human cognition, triggering a cascade of rapid, uncontrollable innovation. At this threshold, AI will evolve autonomously, improving itself at an accelerating pace. This transformative leap will alter every aspect of society, human existence, and even biology. The future becomes uncertain, as superintelligent AI will transcend human comprehension. TerraFlux transcends the idea of a mere community; it serves as humanity’s prelude to the future. Within this environment, drones and data systems harmonize with daily life,fusing technological efficiency with human creativity. Here, residents exist on the verge of the Singularity, where AI transitions from a tool to a collaborator, blurring the lines between human and artificial minds. The city of 3,000 pioneers offers a vision of a world where walls respond, gardens evolve, and human potential reaches beyond biological constraints—a prototype for the post-Singularity age. Ray Kurzweil’s concept of the Singularity is driven by the accelerating growth of AI, fueled by vast data processing. The Tarragona Project embodies this principle, leveraging continuous data streams to inform decisions and shape the environment in real time.
“…ours is the species that inherently seeks to extend its physical and mental reach beyond current limitations.”
(Kurzweil,R., Singularity is Near, pg. 25)
System
today’s system
proposed system
A conceptual circular system is introduced, where renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydrogen power a data-centric infrastructure. Water management, energy production, and ecological processes seamlessly interconnect, leading to outputs like purifi ed water, food production, and improved landscapes. Robotics and data-encoding systems further enhance this vision, presenting tools for data collection, soil improvement, and phygital (physical-digital) spaces. Th e proposed design represents a speculative yet grounded approach for transforming industrial sites into self-sustaining, regenerative systems that balance technological advancements with ecological and social responsibility.
Masterplan
Project
The transformation of Tarragona begins with a shift in perspective—viewing the industrial remnants of the oil refinery not as obsolete but as opportunities for regeneration. Instead of erasing the existing structures, we repurpose them, integrating their forms and functions into a new system of sustainable, data-driven clusters. The project begins with an analysis of the site’s existing structures. Every building, tower, pipeline, and fragment is documented, cataloged, and assessed for its spatial and material potential. Th is process treats the infrastructure as raw data—pieces that can be reorganizedand repurposed into new functions.
The Observers are continuously gather real-time environmental data such as air quality temperature, soil composition, and water levels. Observers bridge the physical and digital realms, turning Tarragona into a living, learning entity that responds to its surroundings.
The Collectors machines, drones, and devices dedicated to harvesting data and natural resources. These work like dynamic nodes within the larger system, where automated technologies operate in tandem with human oversight.
sensory system
data system
water system
generative system
physical activity system
Programs
base model and collages are made by our group. generated base image from lookx.ai, generated videos are from Runway.ai
sensory deprivation
server room
the void
hallucinational terrarium
extreme risks
baths
physical model
Conclusions
Data drives everything here. It flows through every corner, connecting people
to spaces, systems to nature, and ideas to action. Sensors track real-time changes in
energy, biodiversity, and even human activity, while AI uses this information to adapt
and improve. This isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about creating a place that learns and
evolves, shaping itself around the needs of its community.
Through the integration of extensive real-time data streams, augmented spaces, and
ecological restoration, Tarragona embodies a post-singularity society. Here, humans
and AI collaborate seamlessly, blending biological and artificial intelligence to create
an environment that learns, adapts, and evolves. Programs such as dynamic habitats,
sensory explorations, and generative ecosystems exemplify the possibilities of
augmented creativity and innovation.
This project shows us what’s possible when data becomes more than a tool—it
becomes part of the ecosystem itself. Tarragona is a living prototype of a future where
humans, technology, and nature work together seamlessly, transforming how we experience
the world and shaping a smarter, more connected tomorrow.
