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It's now 10 years since we first plunged deep into the Atlantic Ocean and were beguiled by BioShock and the submarine city of Rapture, one of the finest environments in games.The word unique gets tossed around a little too freely nowadays, but the claustrophobic yet magical underwater city of Rapture is surely worthy of it. I would go one further: Rapture is so special, powerful and memorable that it's worthy of what the landscape and environment design industries call a genius loci. In more everyday speak, Rapture has an incredible "sense of place".
One of the roots of Rapture's identity is in its location: the Atlantic seabed. We know its location was chosen specifically so Rapture could be removed from the human geography of planet earth, but it retains an intimate connection with the natural geography of our planet. The connection starts normally enough: Rapture is anchored to the earth's crust; spreads outwards and reaches upwards; and was built appropriately according to the topography. However, the importance of location and a connection to earth extends beyond layout and the structural - it is vitally important to the city's ability to function. Rapture relies on its location to harness power from geothermal vents on the ocean floor - a clear central point of intense energy that both the city and its genius loci can form around. As an established real-life source of power, this gives a realistic and relatable quality to Rapture. This functioning capacity is clear at Hephaestus, home of the Hephaestus Power Facility, while the importance of energy to the city is also highlighted in that area through its imposing architecture and design: its high ceilings, revealed conduits, humming pipes and enormous gears.
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