The architecture of dread: How Rem Koolhaas and corporate spaces inspired the horror of Backrooms
By
Edwin Heathcote
Summary
Edwin Heathcote explores the cultural and architectural fascination behind the horror film Backrooms, which depicts endless, liminal corporate spaces. The article traces how the concept of infinite, soulless office environments—pioneered by architect Rem Koolhaas—has become a source of modern dread and artistic inspiration. It connects architectural theory, urban alienation, and the psychological horror of bureaucratic, non-places that feel both familiar and deeply unsettling.
Source
DezeenThe architecture of dread: How Rem Koolhaas and corporate spaces inspired the horror of Backroomsdezeen.comKey quotes
· 5 pulledAs so often seems to happen, Koolhaas got there first.
The Backrooms is a place of infinite, beige-carpeted, fluorescent-lit corridors and meeting rooms, a purgatory of corporate anonymity.
There is something deeply unsettling about the spaces we inhabit but never truly occupy, the liminal zones of modern life.
The horror of the Backrooms is not the horror of the unknown, but the horror of the all-too-familiar.
Architecture has always been about creating a sense of place, but what happens when the place is designed to be nowhere at all?
You might also wanna read
The Psychology Behind the Backrooms: How Liminal Spaces Became a Horror Phenomenon
The article explores the psychological appeal of "liminal spaces" and the Backrooms horror concept, which has evolved from an obscure intern
ow.ly·15d ago
Remedy's creative director explains the horror design behind Backrooms and liminal spaces
The creative director of Control Resonant (a Remedy Entertainment project) discusses the design philosophy behind liminal spaces and Backroo
polygon.com·28d ago
How Production Designer Danny Vermette Brought the 'Backrooms' Liminal Spaces to Life for A24
Article explores how production designer Danny Vermette collaborated with director Kane Parsons to translate the viral 'Backrooms' creepypas
IndieWire·1mo ago
Backrooms (Original Soundtrack) Review: Kane Parsons and Edo Van Breemen's Score for the A24 Horror Hit
The article discusses the cultural phenomenon of the Backrooms, which began as a 2019 4chan post featuring a photo of a drab office space wi
Pitchfork·14d agoBackrooms (Original Soundtrack) Review: Kane Parsons and Edo Van Breemen's Score for the A24 Horror Hit
The article discusses the cultural phenomenon of the Backrooms, which began as a 2019 4chan post featuring a photo of a drab office space wi
pitchfork.com·14d ago
The Backrooms Phenomenon: From Internet Meme to Horror Movie
The article explores the Backrooms phenomenon, a liminal horror legend that originated from a simple image and caption on a message board an
bit.ly·1mo ago
'Backrooms' Film Review: Kane Parsons Turns Creepypasta Into Existential Horror Cinema
Kane Parsons expands his eerie 'Backrooms' YouTube series into a feature-length film that captures the existential dread of endless, empty,
Rolling Stone·1mo ago
Comments
Sign in to join the conversation.
No comments yet. Be the first.