Okay - my first impression is a sense that the Roman architecture vibe might be killing off the whimsy and delicacy of this city as expressed through Calvino's descriptions. Roman architecture is often monumental and symmetrical, but there's something about the 'airy scaffoldings' which seems in direct contradiction to all that monumental masonry; there's something about this city with all its height and moving parts which is suggestive of a more 'wood-based' technologies. I wonder if you might find further inspiration by looking, not so immediately at conventional architecture, but rather at structures and mechanisms that better evoke this idea of 'stilts and scaffolding' and world of moving elements; for example:
You might also want to look at the work of Heath Robinson for some ideas as to the ways in which mechanisms might be explored more creatively as 'architecture' - and Robinson's work is whimsical and comedic:
My general point is that, while the logic of linking aqueducts with Isaura via Roman architecture is understandable, I'm not sure that it quite captures the city's other defining characteristics. Isn't Isaura a bit more on the 'rickety' side, what with all that scaffolding, and buckets, pulleys and winches?
One way of originating some interesting architecture shapes might be to think about deriving forms from the actual components of simple mechanisms; for example:
OGR 09/10/2014
ReplyDeleteMorning Charlie,
Okay - my first impression is a sense that the Roman architecture vibe might be killing off the whimsy and delicacy of this city as expressed through Calvino's descriptions. Roman architecture is often monumental and symmetrical, but there's something about the 'airy scaffoldings' which seems in direct contradiction to all that monumental masonry; there's something about this city with all its height and moving parts which is suggestive of a more 'wood-based' technologies. I wonder if you might find further inspiration by looking, not so immediately at conventional architecture, but rather at structures and mechanisms that better evoke this idea of 'stilts and scaffolding' and world of moving elements; for example:
Wooden frame rollercoasters:
http://sfphototour.tripod.com/images/sixt_roar.jpg
Automata:
http://www.cabaret.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/01_Timberkits-caterpillar.jpg
http://www.blinkofaneye.co.uk/automata/woodworking%20automata%20back_s.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07Ve0OWZmYY
Marble slides:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGd7qeYgmvY
You might also want to look at the work of Heath Robinson for some ideas as to the ways in which mechanisms might be explored more creatively as 'architecture' - and Robinson's work is whimsical and comedic:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5mmakxIPIJs/Tzu5UkjP3cI/AAAAAAAAFyo/IDB6mM0ur9E/s1600/HeathRobinson.jpg
My general point is that, while the logic of linking aqueducts with Isaura via Roman architecture is understandable, I'm not sure that it quite captures the city's other defining characteristics. Isn't Isaura a bit more on the 'rickety' side, what with all that scaffolding, and buckets, pulleys and winches?
One way of originating some interesting architecture shapes might be to think about deriving forms from the actual components of simple mechanisms; for example:
http://krisdedecker.typepad.com/.a/6a00e0099229e888330120a6216217970c-700wi
Isaura seems defined by movement and mechanisms - something to think about as you take your city forward.
see link:
ReplyDeletehttp://ucarochester-cgartsandanimation.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/barcelona-2015-hurry-just-12-remaining.html