In this research paper, we will attempt to trace the conceptual framework and stylistic references of architectural representations in the cyberpunk and retrofuturism movements. We aim to examine and document the tools and techniques that contribute to the production of their qualitative elements, ultimately striving for a personal artistic application of these styles using digital production media.

Legendary films such as Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell, and The Fifth Element have long served as sources of inspiration for architects, with extensive references to their spatial aesthetics, depicted architecture, and cultural influence.

Ιnfluences for cyberpunk and retrofuturistic architectural depictions are explored in video games like Atomic Heart and Cyberpunk 2077, as well as in the works of artists such as Syd Mead, John Harris, and Jean Giraud (Moebius). Following an overview of their artistic precedents and their impact on design, the research methodology focuses on extracting their defining characteristics and digital workflows for creation.

After studying a sample of architectural depictions from artists, films, and video games, the research employs digital tools to produce imagery evocative of the aforementioned visual references. The digital experiments are divided into two categories: those utilizing 3D modeling and rendering tools (e.g., 3ds Max) and those leveraging artificial intelligence tools (e.g., MidJourney, DALL·E). The research project will identify the digital design workflow and culminate in extracting common traits across the generated images, evaluating the extent to which these relate to the tools used regarding design intetions and aesthetic references.