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‘Severance’: An Architecture and Design Masterclass in Dystopian Storytelling

The best show of the Season?!

Apple TV’s Severance is more than just a psychological thriller—it is a masterclass in architecture and design, using spatial storytelling to reinforce its themes of corporate control, alienation, and dual identity. The show’s meticulous production design transforms its setting into a silent antagonist, subtly manipulating the emotions and behaviors of its characters.

Brutalism and Corporate Alienation

The Lumon Industries headquarters, where employees undergo a radical work-life separation, is a cold, labyrinthine space dominated by Brutalist aesthetics. The monolithic, concrete exterior of the building is reminiscent of mid-century corporate headquarters, evoking a sense of dominance and entrapment. Inside, the stark white corridors seem endless and disorienting, creating an intentional feeling of detachment from the outside world.

Minimalist Yet Oppressive Interiors

The workspaces in Severance adhere to a strict minimalist ethos—sparsely furnished, devoid of personal touches, and eerily symmetrical. The Macrodata Refinement (MDR) office is a prime example: a vast, open-plan space with low partitions, where employees are paradoxically isolated despite their proximity. The oversized desks and retro computers, reminiscent of 1980s corporate culture, add an unsettling sense of timelessness, making it unclear whether Lumon exists in the past, present, or future.

Spatial Hierarchies and Power Dynamics

The architecture of Severance reinforces Lumon’s rigid hierarchy. Executives occupy grand, wood-paneled offices, while lower-level employees navigate sterile, impersonal spaces. The lack of windows in the MDR floor strips away all sense of time, reinforcing the psychological prison of the “severed” employees. Contrasting spaces—like the unsettlingly cozy, cult-like ‘Wellness Room’—underscore the illusion of care within a system designed to control.

Color Psychology and Emotional Conditioning

The show’s color palette is deliberate. The MDR office’s muted greens and blues evoke a clinical atmosphere, while occasional bursts of warmth—such as the unnerving red of the ‘Defiant Jazz’ dance party—signal moments of tension or rebellion. The use of color becomes a subconscious tool for emotional conditioning, mirroring the characters’ psychological states.

A Masterpiece of Architectural Storytelling

In Severance, architecture and design are not just aesthetic choices but narrative devices, reinforcing themes of surveillance, detachment, and control. The show’s spaces manipulate perception, echoing the fractured identities of its characters. By blending Brutalism, Minimalism, and corporate nostalgia, Severance crafts a chilling, immersive world—one where design itself becomes a form of psychological warfare.

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