Sketching a New Tomorrow.
Last night, while chatting with my friend Oliver, I stumbled upon an idea. We were discussing cities—what they are, what they should be—and before long, I was drawn into a vision. This morning, I woke up with that idea still buzzing in my head. By the time my tea had cooled, I’d already sketched a few diagrams in bed—systems diagrams, to be precise. In just half an hour, I had outlined something that has since evolved into the concept I’m calling Formeau.
Designing a city from scratch is no small task. It’s not just about roads and buildings—it’s about people, scale, systems that work without clutter, and places that feel alive. Formeau is my answer to that, a city where community and efficiency meet, where nature and urban life coexist, and where the human experience remains at the center of it all.
At the heart of Formeau is the platform—a functional layer beneath the surface that quietly handles the city’s infrastructure. It’s where roads, utilities, and even a metro system live, hidden away from the human-scaled environment above. This allows the Plateau, the upper layer of the city, to feel completely walkable, organic, and alive. Narrow streets, rooftops dotted with trees, and canals for punting create a city that feels as though it’s always been there. In Formeau, you can wander from a small square to a bustling canal boulevard without realizing you’ve crossed an intricately designed network of systems below.
One important idea behind this morning vision is that it is designed not just for today but for the next 250 years. It’s adaptable, functional, and thoughtful. While there’s often a focus on sustainability in city-making, for me, it’s less about ticking boxes and more about creating a city that makes sense—a place that reduces waste and pollution and nurtures green, natural environments that promote well-being. It’s about efficient and practical systems, designed to create spaces where people want to live, not just spaces that fit a trend.
In Formeau, it’s not about flashy eco-solutions or trying to predict the end of the world; it’s about building a city that can stand the test of time—one that works naturally with its surroundings. For example, Systems like greywater recycling aren’t just for show; they help the city reuse its resources sensibly. The reed beds in the green ribbon treat waste quietly, without fanfare, allowing the city to function without feeling like it’s living under the weight of its own technology.
This isn’t about denying the realities we face—instead, it’s about designing a city that deals with them by focusing on what works. Formeau’s architecture is traditional and robust, borrowing from the charm of European hill towns where buildings are made to last and streets are built for people, not machines. It’s not about growth for growth’s sake but about creating a place where life feels connected and human.
The greenhouse and vertical farms that feed Formeau aren’t simply eco-friendly but practical, local, and necessary. It’s about creating a city where nothing is wasted and everything has a purpose. In that sense, the town reflects what I believe good design should be—simple, functional, and naturally sustainable without shouting it from the rooftops.
In a way, designing Formeau has been an exercise in rethinking what a city could be if it didn’t have to follow the patterns we’ve grown used to. It’s a place where life feels connected—where the streets belong to people, not cars, and where the hidden systems below allow for a simpler, more delightful way of living. The world isn’t ending, but our approach to building and planning cities needs a shift toward something more lasting and more thoughtful.
I believe cities should be built for people and designed with an eye toward well-being, connection, and longevity. Formeau may not be real, but the principles behind it are. It’s the kind of city we could build today if we stopped thinking about growth for growth’s sake and started thinking about what makes life worth living.
This week’s web links include a newly discovered old McCartney song, pork belly and understanding desires.
You will always find me at carl@carlarchitect.co.uk
All the best
This Week’s Links:
I’ve fully immersed myself in this new vision—so much so that in my mind, Formeau now feels like an actual, living city. To bring it to life, I’ve written a detailed report outlining the technical aspects, a story that explores daily life in the city, and 100 design patterns to guide its development. Dive in, and let your imagination roam through this visionary city.
Pork belly, ginger and salted shrimp claypot rice.
Understanding Desire in the Age of Ozempic
10 fairytale houses to buy (or dream about)
This will send you to sleep, though I found it interesting: Stephen Thursby (U. of South Carolina): Wagner, Camillo Sitte, and the Modern Slow Movement
And this might wake you up
Main Image credit: Formeau’s tranquil square, where canals meet the sea and marshes (DALL-E)