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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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.
Manhattan Experiment Led To Festival Break
- Sergey experimented by multiplying a Manhattan model in Unreal and submitted a five-minute dome test to a festival in Jena.
- The nominatation motivated him to pursue dome filmmaking seriously.
Always Preview Motion In A Dome
- Test camera speed and motion in a dome or mini-dome because flat screens hide vestibular effects.
- Preview work in a small dome or VR to catch nausea triggers before final projection.