Speculative artefacts from the town hall of the future

What might the townhouse of the future look like in 2080? How does it feel? What does it do for urban society – and what does it say about our understanding of democracy?

Imagination is a future skill. In times of crisis, complexity and uncertainty, democracies need collective spaces for imagination. In a one-day workshop, participants from administration, research and design explored the role that city halls could play in the future.

The thinking was radically future-oriented – not based on the existing town hall, but on the future needs of Zurich's urban population. The focus was not on the question ‘How will the town hall change?’, but rather ‘What kind of town hall do we need in the future?’.

Speculative design: Design for debate

To this end, we rely on speculative design – a practice that opens up new possibilities. The focus is not on problem solving, but on asking questions. The resulting objects are part of narratives that explore alternative ways of life and challenge common assumptions about technology, society and everyday life.

The process of insight as described by Arthur Koestler is particularly apt here: a diagram shows how people react to subtle criticism, irony and satire – first with amusement, then with amazement, and finally with insight. Speculative design objects have a similar effect: they initially provoke amusement, then astonishment or irritation. It is precisely this irritation – the disruption of expectations – that provokes self-reflection. It is not a side effect, but rather a central goal and method.

To this end, we draw on elements of classic scenario technique to approach the townhouse of the year 2080.

In a second step, methods from improvisational theatre were used to explore and further develop the townhouse of the future and its objects in a playful and physical way.

From administration to relationship building

In the town hall of 2080, well-wishers celebrate life transitions, while a portable Züri amulet makes collective moods visible and rewards actions that benefit the common good.

Mobile services such as the town hall bus or the Silver Bus bring advice and participation to the neighbourhoods. Formats such as democracy hygiene promote a lively culture of debate through mandatory discussions.

The joint evaluation made it clear: the town hall of the year 2080 is no longer an administrative centre, but an emotional, collective organ. It lives, listens, accompanies.

Traditional administration takes a back seat – replaced by new roles: relationship workers, congratulators, translators between people and the system.