SSFF MorphoMap: Projection Mapping for Speculative Scenario Building

Abstract

Architectural representation has traditionally relied on static models, which, while effective for spatial communication, often lack the capacity to express dynamic systems, layered temporalities, or speculative scenarios. Projection mapping, although widely established in creative disciplines and occasionally explored in architecture, remains confined mainly to visual enhancement or presentation effects. Its potential for temporal and spatial inquiry, as well as for informing decision-making, systems thinking, and speculative futures planning, is still underdeveloped. This underutilisation highlights the need for representational methods that extend beyond spectacle and incorporate speculative storytelling and futures-oriented engagement. To address this gap, the study introduces SSFF MorphoMap, a method developed within the Strategic Speculative Futures Framework (SSFF). SSFF MorphoMap reframes projection mapping as a speculative storytelling medium, positioning it as a tool for scenario-building, immersive engagement, and critical reflection on possible futures. By hybridising digital foresight techniques with physical model-making, SSFF MorphoMap enables architects and audiences to interact with speculative futures in ways that are both narratively rich and experientially dynamic, fostering a sense of engagement and connection to the design. This study adopts a qualitative design-based research methodology, chosen for its capacity to investigate the experiential, narrative, and representational dimensions of architectural practice. The research integrates autoethnographic reflection, visual analysis, and studio-based observation with iterative prototyping and scenario testing, enabling a critical examination of how projection-mapped models shape comprehension, communication, and narrative immersion. Findings demonstrate that SSFF MorphoMap significantly enhances users’ ability to grasp complex spatial systems, supports deeper narrative immersion, and fosters stronger emotional connections compared to static models. Its temporal layering, responsive visual storytelling, and participatory qualities expand representational possibilities while cultivating systematic thinking about future spatial scenarios. This study makes two key contributions. Academically, it advances a hybridised representational framework that repositions projection mapping as a central method for speculative architectural inquiry. Practically, it demonstrates how the integration of traditional craftsmanship with emerging digital tools can enrich architectural education and professional practice, fostering imagination, critical engagement, and futures-oriented exploration.