In the clandestine world of spy movies, each set and architectural backdrop becomes a silent conspirator, weaving intrigue into the hero's mission. The interplay of spaces and structures envelops audiences in the mystique. This week, we explore design secrets from real-life espionage HQs to stylish architectural masterpieces and films with captivating design finesse.
MI6's HQ on London’s Thames River not only defies clandestine norms but it has a starring role in four 007 movies, cementing its status as one of the world’s most recognizable espionage HQs. So, should it truly surprise anyone that the Russians have moved in next door? Join us as we reveal the world's 10 most enigmatic (and sometimes downright bizarre) spy HQs and their sizzling secrets.
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Few will ever be invited inside the highly secure CIA HQ campus in Langley, Virginia, an iconic symbol of US intelligence from its igloo-shaped 1950s auditorium - nicknamed ‘The Bubble’ - to its private art gallery, 125,000-book library, and a gadget-laden museum that boasts an insect-sized drone and exploding martini glass. Here’s your exclusive invite into the hidden depths of this secret sanctuary.
Within the mysterious confines of Japan's Nijo Jinya inn, the walls echo forgotten tales of conflict and suspense. Once an abode for Japanese feudal lords conspiring against the Shogun, the inn hid Ninja spies with secret corridors, movable staircases, and shadowy crevices. Its sophisticated details and elegant materials once deemed Nijo Jinya Kyoto's finest small hotel - and, undoubtedly, the sneakiest.
Not all architectural gems seek the limelight above ground. An audacious plan is underway to restore London’s mile-long network of WWII spy tunnels once used by Winston Churchill's SOE Secret Army. The Kingsway Exchange is the inspiration for Ian Fleming's Q Branch and - if designers get their way - visitors will soon be able to experience the sights, sounds and even smells of the wartime tunnels.
If you're a member of the 1% Club preparing for 'The Event', you'll want to get up to speed on bunker designs. Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly paying $270m for his Hawaiian doomsday shelter while PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel contemplates a mountain-embedded New Zealand lodge. The rest of us, it seems, will just have to bunker down for a nuclear winter and Mad Max-infused adventure.
In the realm of spy cinema, Blade Runner’s mind-bending cityscapes and Christopher Nolan’s surreal Inception dreamscapes create a cinematic symphony where architecture and design play pivotal roles in the adventure. Are you ready to explore further? These 15 must-stream movies invite you into a world where architecture whispers secrets in every corner.
At SPY HQ you’ll explore hidden worlds, break codes, run surveillance and spot liars - while a system developed with MI6 experts reveals your personal spy role and profile.
