michael jones_Alchemy

[Inigo]

Here is my first image of this process towards architectural wonder.

The chaos and layers of cities insight wonder in my mind, a balance of built environment and the tendency for all things to return to nature. Unlike our concrete jungles, this urban setting will be a Michael Sorkin inspired collision of water, green, and building.

I hope to develop imagery with the rich depth of Piranesi and stark beauty of Alma Tadema.

It seems i am already focused on the final imagery as a collection of architecture and the emotion it provokes, as opposed to a specific building. Hope i am on the right track.

Any thoghts would be very helpful. Pardon the name dropping...only to get your mind's eye ticking.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I can't wait to see the finished work of this one, it shure looks good so far, but i'll guess that i have to wait.. Nice work ...

[TheAllusionist]

It is a nice presentation for an initial sketch, I guess the "Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture", Robert Venturi (Name drop! LOL) is in a way by name only relative to your concept. The sketch is busy and items are undefineable and I guess that is what you are going for. This is not to say you don't have a great concept, just make sure when it is done the viewer is inspired and thinks WOW! what an "Architectural Wonder".

It is great to see these fresh and interesting ideas and the thought process behind them. My take on it might be to have everything confusing like you do, but one structure standing prominent and even if it is in chaos or melding into the landscape/cityscape, it stands out strong as a focal point for the viewers and judges to see. That is my two cents, very strong entry into the contest, I look forward to seeing it progress.

[ddelcast]

Beautiful Sketch, I am looking forward to see what it becomes...
Q. There is a color image on the lower right corner. Are those boats??

[medicsmurf]

I knew a Michael Jones in high school.... perhaps did you grow up in Fresno, CA?

[canyonhiker]

Vibrant sketch and idea, your image has a “messy vitality” quality. (Robert Venturi, as long as we’re name dropping )

I'd like a little further clarification, though, from TheAllusionist. Inigo’s description - "a collection of architecture and the emotion it provokes, as opposed to a specific building" seems a little outside the boundaries of the project description. I do think the context of the building is important, since Architectural Wonders don't exist in a vacuum, but if the image isn't about a single building, doesn't it risk being more about a city or an urban landscape? You suggested Inigo make one structure stand prominent, but I'm not sure if you meant that as just a suggestion or a requirement.

[Inigo]

Originally Posted by ddelcast

Q. There is a color image on the lower right corner. Are those boats??

Yeah, the image is from a floating market.

Thanks for the initial comments and suggestions. I'll have to read the Program again and make sure i am headed in the right direction. Thanks TheAllusionist for the direction towards a primary focal structure or element.

As far as creating one piece of architectural wonder...i see no difference between the awe brought on by a small chapel in an endless field or the collection of buildings on a city block. It is an issue of scale and context and both cases are "pieces of architecture." It would be shortsighted to isolate one hut in a crowded village as an example of traditional architecture, when the collective whole of the community and its interaction is vital to tell the story.

[TheAllusionist]

Inigo,
Canyonhiker is correct, I should clarify a little more. I am not trying to control or direct anyones creative vision and your point about a cityscape possibly being wonderous is valid, but the title is in the singlular form, "Architectural Wonder". The assignment speaks of building types and it was our intention that one structure or building type stands out above all else as a marvel. All the great marvels I preconceive are either one great structure (i.e. Hagia Sophia) or a small group of structures forming a composition (i.e. Pyramids of Giza), but definite form stands out as a "Wonder". I don't want you to invest a lot of energy in a direction that the judges deam not in context with the assignment.

Your initial sketch was hard to determine exactly what your goal was, I was kind of reading chaos with on large structure (right side, mamouth tower with large horizontal arm crossing over towards the center of the sketch/street), and saw that as your main peice with the rest being context with your theory. However, I wasn't certain so I hinted at the fact that one structure should be prominant. I probably should have made the statement stronger and perhaps there are verbal loop holes in our assignment.

It is our intention that the concept has one significant habitable form/structure that the viewer identifies as the focal point/"Architectural Wonder" and that the remaining structures and entourage support as background and context without detracting from the dominance of the primary piece.

In your case the concept could be pulled of with something similar to the following scenario: Chaotic cityscape laid out in a compostion the leads the viewers eye towards a dominant structure that has your theory integrated into its design, the structure should be prominant (using grandness, scale.....) that it is a "wonder to behold". Otherwise I see it coming across as a matte painting backdrop so to speak and may not meet the intent of the contest parameters.

Very good brainstorming and presentation concept so far, we just want to make sure that you are following a course that positions you in a good spot for final consideration. I really look forward to seeing your ideas evolve and the final form of your entry. I hope this has cleared things up.

[Designer]

Good news it that the concept is still valid and you just have to make a prominant structure that with the help of the other buildings emphsis's your over all concept. Very nice loose style to your sketching, people may have not been able to decipher your overall concept, but, the ensuing dialoque seems to have cleared up what direction the design should go to meet the expected requirements. Your idea as it is would seem to be well suited for a contest such as "City of Dreams" or something related to a cityscape. Hey TheAllusionist, there is your next contest! Great work so far and I am sure everyone is trying to help and not be a damper on your creative juices.

[TheAllusionist]

Nope, not trying to reign in your creativity, it is our first contest, we just want to make it all fair by setting up guidelines and milestones that everyone needs to follow and meet and the rest is up to your creativity. Hopefully everyone has fun.

Along those lines, you may want edit the topic thread title (In very first post) and replace "Concept Sketch" with some sort of "title" for your piece, this is what we have asked all entrants to do and it makes for a more memorable title for people to associate with your project. All of your contest work will be placed in this thread.

Good Luck!