Could We Actually Build a City Like in Dune?

When science fiction becomes architectural inspiration

Majestic towers rise from the desert landscape, forming a stunning city design that blends seamlessly with the rugged mountainous backdrop and soft, golden sands. Shadows cast by the setting sun add depth to the ancient architecture as people wander through the city's winding paths, creating a scene of timeless wonder.

When you watch Dune, it’s hard not to be captivated by its architecture. The massive cities. The wind-carved palaces. The fortresses etched into cliffs—structures designed not just to survive, but to belong to the desert.

But here’s the question: could we actually build something like that in the real world?

In this exploration, we’ll step beyond science fiction to examine the principles behind Dune’s architecture, real-world precedents, the technologies that could make it possible, and the cultural shifts we would need to get there.

What Makes Dune’s Architecture Iconic?

Frank Herbert’s Dune is not only a science fiction masterpiece—it’s also a study in architectural storytelling.

In Arrakeen, the structures are monumental and fortress-like, built with purpose. They are defensive rather than decorative, deeply rooted in climate, culture, and survival. Unlike sterile glass skyscrapers, these buildings draw from the world’s oldest traditions:

• Persian and Mesopotamian citadels

• Berber architecture in the Sahara

• Navajo cliff dwellings in the American Southwest

For example, Arrakeen’s thick, heat-resistant walls and recessed forms create deep shade. Narrow streets are designed to channel airflow, cooling the environment naturally. This is vernacular architecture on a planetary scale—timeless, functional, and deeply integrated with its setting.

Could We Build Like This Today?

The short answer is yes—in some ways, we already are.

Desert cities such as Masdar City in the UAE employ similar strategies:

• Wind towers funneling cool air into streets

• Solar-oriented buildings to reduce heat gain

• Shaded plazas and narrow alleyways to encourage natural ventilation

Elsewhere, underground architecture offers clues to Fremen-inspired living. In Coober Pedy, Australia, homes are dug into hillsides to escape extreme heat, maintaining comfortable temperatures without air conditioning. Similar principles are now being explored for Mars habitats, where underground construction offers protection from radiation and temperature swings.

The challenge lies not in the techniques themselves, but in scaling them to the size and complexity of an Arrakeen-like city—something closer to planetary engineering than urban planning.

Materials and Technologies for a Desert Megacity

While Herbert’s fictional “plasteel” may not exist, the real world offers an impressive toolkit of climate-adaptive materials:

1. Rammed Earth – Durable, locally sourced, with exceptional thermal mass. Used in Mali, Morocco, and high-end projects worldwide.

2. Aerated Concrete – Lightweight and insulative, common in energy-efficient homes.

3. Phase-Change Materials – Store heat during the day and release it at night, balancing indoor climates.

4. Nanotech Surfaces – Coatings that repel sand, dirt, and moisture, extending building life in harsh climates.

We also have technologies that echo Dune’s water-saving ingenuity. Companies like SOURCE Global produce panels that extract potable water from air humidity—a modern-day parallel to the Fremen stillsuit. Imagine an entire city’s walls and roofs harvesting water as part of daily life.

Cultural Layers in Design

What makes Dune’s built environment compelling is not only its adaptation to climate, but its reflection of culture.

Fremen architecture embodies restraint, simplicity, and community. Every element respects the scarcity of water, reinforcing shared values through design.

This raises important questions for our own cities:

• Could public spaces double as educational tools for conservation?

• Could rituals and cultural principles be embedded in urban design?

• Could architecture promote moderation rather than excess?

As Christopher Alexander’s A Pattern Language reminds us, great environments grow from shared human stories, not just functional requirements.

The Big Challenges

If the solutions exist, why aren’t we building like Dune today? Three major barriers stand in the way:

1. Economic Priorities – Development still favors short-term returns over long-term resilience.

2. Cultural Inertia – We tend to replicate what we know, even when it’s outdated.

3. Political Will – Large-scale, climate-integrated urban planning requires vision, regulation, and collaboration—qualities often in short supply.

Yet the climate crisis may force a shift. Like the Fremen, we may soon have no choice but to design for survival first, innovation second.

Conclusion

Could we build a city like in Dune? Technically, yes. Culturally, we’re still learning. To make it a reality, we would need to rethink our priorities—placing climate, community, and culture at the heart of design.

Architecture has always been more than walls and roofs. It is a reflection of who we are and what we value. In that sense, the cities of Dune may not just be a vision of science fiction, but a prototype for our future.