severance: a closer look into the mid-century, brutalist, and retro-futuristic universe of lumon
Briefly

Severance, Apple TV+’s acclaimed series, intricately weaves a retro-futuristic universe defined by its design. The show, directed by Ben Stiller, uses architectural elements to evoke a sense of psychological control and duality within Lumon Industries. The juxtaposition of cold corporate aesthetics and warm, curated domestic spaces emphasizes a tension between familiarity and alienation. Filmed in the Bell Labs Holmdel Complex, the series distorts mid-century modern ideals into something ominous, exploring how every design choice, from furniture to color, contributes to an unsettling narrative about the workplace and personal identity.
Severance offers a unique blend of mid-century modernism and retro-futuristic aesthetics, crafting an unsettling yet familiar workspace that examines themes of control and uniformity.
The design of Severance serves as a psychological tool, utilizing stark contrasts between the eerie Lumon Industries and the curated domestic spaces to evoke a sense of unease and reflection.
Through its architectural choices, from the sterile Severed floor to the warm exterior world, Severance highlights the dual nature of its workplace as both a corporate machine and a home.
The series uses minimalist and brutalist designs, drawing from past innovations, to create a chilling backdrop that reflects the distorted ideals of progress and innovation.
Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine
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