Sean Waldron + Anthrolation

[draphtur]

Although my title doesn't really reflect this, I have thought about this project a lot recently. Although my tendency is to jump right into design work prematurely, I have been putting together my research for my concept. I figured, if the objective is to create an architectural wonder, why not find some to inspire myself with? I came up with a few images/plans that might guide me:

- Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- The Hagia Sophia
- The Suleyman Mosque

Maybe if I look at these long enough something will happen

I know the other aspect to this project is incorporating contemporary materials and building technology into the design so I had to come up with some examples of those:

- Food Theatre Cafe by Daniel Libeskind
- Pedestrian Bridge by Santiago Calatrava
- Brion-Vega Cemetery by Carlo Scarpa

Below is a few sketches that I came up with based on a few key concepts:

MYSTERY/CURIOUSITY and CONNECTION

I guess it's all very basic so far and I haven't accomplished much in particular. I'm just drawing plans and thinking about how to create a wonder and preserve the above concepts. Although a wonder doesn't necessarily have to be large (proportionally), I have been thiking of ways to break down a large mass and incorporate a progression and something people will feel they need to enter and be a part of.

Well that's a big enough post for now
I look forward to seeing your comments (assuming I've provided enough for some )

- Sean

p.s. Nice posting rankings by the way

[TheAllusionist]

Sean, your images hosted on AngelFire are not showing up on my end. You have the ability to attach images in these forums (Boy that was a lot of work!), they can only be 800x600 and under 124,000 in size, but then you will not have to worry about the images never showing up, they will be here. Here is a link to the section on attachments, I do not consider contest attachments as abuse of the policy, so anyone can feel free to attach for contest entries as much as they need.

http://www.3dallusions.com/forum/vie....php?p=234#234

You have done a great job preparing for the contest, hopefully soon I can see your sketches, feel free to attach them. Good Luck!

[ddelcast]

Just one question: what will it function as?

[TheAllusionist]

draphtur,
Thanks for fixing the links, much better. It looks to me in plan that you are going to use controled pathways and fixed veiwports to control the experience, a technique the Greeks and Romans where well versed at.

ddelcast has a good question, I am not clear as to what function the structures will serve, at this stage almost any function will work, it would just be interesting to know what it will be. Good work!

[draphtur]

Well, I thought about that and I figured it didn't matter too much what the program would be. It has to take the shape of an architectural wonder so it could be a church, stadium, museum, etc. I designed it thinking it'd be a museum, but I like the idea of it being a school So that's what it'll be.

[ddelcast]

Last time I checked, wonders where not empty shells. They became wonders because of their grandiosity and because of the fact that, some committee somewhere decided that they represent humanity's achievements. Before they where labeled as wonders, they where burial structures, or museums or castles etc. and they not only excelled as a structure but also as a functional sructure.
I agree that an architectural wonder could be anything but that should be stated.
It could even start as a structure with a specific purpose that has not a predetermined funtion to it eg. for an experiment on human nature or habitation (as the other contestant is proposing) or something else I can't think of...

[TheAllusionist]

draphtur,
Thanks for clarifying, an educational institution can be very grand. Good luck!

[draphtur]

Originally Posted by ddelcast

Last time I checked, wonders where not empty shells.

Okay. Maybe I made my last post sound too much like I didn't care about the program. When originally forming the concept for my design, I didn't find it important to perscribe a function. Many wonders are religious or spiritual building while others are libraries and museums.

I didn't want to start down that road because I didn't feel it was important to let the program guide the form. Instead, I wanted to let my imagination run wild and, after locating a very basic concept/design, I would find the program and let that guide the rest of the process.

I didn't say my design would be an empty shell.

Allusionist-

Thanks! I'm excited about it. Also, thanks for hosting this contest. I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun!

[Designer]

It could be very fun to design from outside in, Function Follows Form. Who is to say that a theoretical concept of aesthetics could not control the design evolution of project like this. You are not tied down by a clients program or budget, reality in part is suspended for a brief time and you can let your creativity go wild. Sure we need to know what the function is, only to meet the habitable portion of the contest and my belief that it would be a waste to create an 'Architectural Wonder' that humanity couldn't experience first hand, but I don't think all the logistics and programing of a typical project should control this type of excercise. Think of it as a "design vacation", have fun and do what you want to do! That is my take on this contest, the viewers/judges should be moved by certain intuitive design qualities and have their subconcious delighted.

[draphtur]