Unraveling the Corporate Dystopia Behind Apple TV+'s Severance

The Architectural Backdrop of Severance

Bell Labs, designed by Eero Saarinen, serves as the eerie setting for Apple TV+’s show, Severance. This dystopian series, directed by Ben Stiller, explores the unsettling extremes of corporate culture and work-life balance.

Photo: Courtesy of Bell Labs

The Enigma of Lumon Industries

At the heart of Severance lies Lumon Industries, a fictional corporation that is shrouded in mystery. Employees navigate a world where they’re expected to maintain a façade of happiness while engaging in bizarre tasks, like 3-D printing odd objects. The show reflects a corporate professionalism that is mirrored in the architecture of Lumon, which is an imposing, mid-century glass structure resembling a modernist cathedral. The building’s symmetrical layout and austere design amplify the unsettling atmosphere.

Historical Significance of Bell Labs

While Lumon is fictional, its architectural inspiration is real. Bell Labs, the former research center for AT&T, was a beacon of innovation, home to numerous technological breakthroughs and Nobel Prize winners. It was designed as a corporate utopia, aiming to foster creativity and collaboration among its scientists and engineers. The building’s design, with its expansive atrium and serene surroundings, was intended to inspire innovation, yet it also embodies the very control and regulation depicted in Severance.

The Duality of Design in Severance

Production designer Jeremy Hindle aimed to capture the essence of corporate life through the aesthetics of the show. The mid-century design elements were not scripted but rather an organic choice reflecting the oppressive environment of Lumon. The stark, disorienting interiors contrast with the idealized vision of a productive workspace, emphasizing how design can manipulate emotional responses.

Conclusion: The Impact of Corporate Architecture

The juxtaposition of Bell Labs’s historical significance with the sinister undertones of Severance illustrates how architectural design can profoundly influence workplace culture. The series serves as a commentary on the corporate world, blurring the lines between utopia and dystopia, showcasing the power that design holds in shaping human experiences.