Voices of VR #1696: Speculative Architecture Meets the Immersive Dome in Sergey Prokofyev’s “Eternal Habitat”
Dec 7, 2025
Sergey Prokofyev is an architect-turned-immersive filmmaker, known for his visionary work in full-dome formats. He discusses transitioning from speculative 'paper' architecture to creating immersive experiences using Unreal Engine. Sergey dives into the significance of camera-first design, collective experiences in domes, and the dreamlike symbolism in his project, Eternal Habitat. He also explores the potential of reactive architecture, AI integration, and the impact of dome cinema in engaging wider audiences with architectural storytelling.
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Real-Time Engines Changed Design Practice
- Unreal Engine let Sergey design in real time and shift from 2D renders to human-scale 3D experiences.
- Designing from the inside-out changed his approach to architecture and storytelling.
Design From Inside-Out With Camera Paths
- Designing from a human first-person perspective reveals movement and experiential dynamics lost in 2D plans.
- Sergey uses camera paths as a design tool and shapes architecture around cinematic movement.
Domes Preserve Body And Collective Scale
- Sergey prefers dome over VR for architecture because the dome keeps a mix of physical and digital: viewers see their bodies and scale.
- He argues collective perception in domes better serves architectural storytelling.