Brian Hay - Triniti

[brianhay]

Great contest idea!

My Architectural Wonder is titled "Triniti".

My concept description and initial sketch will follow shortly.

Regards,
Brian Hay.

[TheAllusionist]

Look forward to seeing it, the more the merrier. I am glad you like the concept, I think it allows everyone to really stretch their wings.

[brianhay]

Triniti Concept

If the radiance of a thousand suns
Were to burst at once into the sky,
That would be like the splendor of the Mighty One...
I am become Death,
The shatterer of Worlds.

The Bhagavad-Gita

The above passage is purported to have been recited by Robert Oppenheimer on witnessing the first nuclear explosion in human history, code-named "Trinity" on 16 July 1945 in the New Mexico desert.

Within a month the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were subjected to the immeasurable and ongoing suffering unleashed by this "shatterer of worlds".

The Trinity Test and the subsequent deaths of these quarter of a million people signalled the dawn of the nuclear age - a menacing threat generations have lived under ever since.

My concept, Triniti, is derived from, influenced by and a personal reaction to these themes.

This "architectural wonder" is designed to serve as the focal point of a new master planned metropolis that will become the global capital of a more united, egalitarian and tolerant world.

Triniti is comprised of three sky scrapers towering over a large public plaza. The geometrically similar but spatially opposing buildings are united by translucent pedestrian walkways connecting biofiltration gardens at regular intervals. Each walkway is suspended by a seemingly fragile web of cables. This sense of fragility and balance is amplified by a secondary network of cables supporting the illusion of a central spire floating high above the plaza.

In plan, Triniti is inspired by "sacred geometry", fractal mathematics, and the trefoil symbol that has become synonymous with the nuclear threat.

In elevation, Triniti is designed to be at once harsh and beautiful, reflecting both the fear and hope of Earth's people through sculptured forms heavily laden with symbolism.

The three towers of this southern hemisphere capital are oriented due north and collectively truncated at an angle calculated to capture and convert the maximum amount of solar energy via the combined 15,000m2 of photovoltaic roof tiles.

The entire Triniti precinct functions as the seat of our new world government, a transport, commercial, residential, entertainment and public recreation hub. The master planned city radiates out from this landmark in concentric circles enclosing tree-lined boulevards interconnected by pedestrian-friendly roads, green corridors and an efficient, integrated public transport system - a focus on people, not cars; open vibrant community, not gated elite estates surrounded by poor urban ghettos.

Above all else the site as a whole serves as a memorial to the human folly of the past and a beacon of hope for our shared, interdependent future.

[TheAllusionist]

Wow! Quite the deep and philosophical treatise with strong ties to technology. It should give you plenty of intellectual material while developing the design. Nice logo design for the presentation.
It is a very powerful subject matter and since most of us here (presumption, could have a very mature/old demographics here! LOL) weren't alive at the time, it is a little hard to realize exactly how the atomic bomb changed the world. I know we got a lot of weird movies in the 50's and Godzilla, but how it effected people upon realizing how powerful and destructive it was, I can only imagine.

Someone famous was quoted as saying (paraphrased) one time, "Here is a weapon so leathal and devastating, that it will surely end all war!" He was talking about the invention of the crossbow. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Brian,
Thanks for joining the competition, we look forward to seeing your design developed. Please make sure that you post your concept sketch so that all the milestones are completed. GOOD LUCK!

[brianhay]

Originally Posted by TheAllusionist

It is a very powerful subject matter and since most of us here (presumption, could have a very mature/old demographics here! LOL) weren't alive at the time, it is a little hard to realize exactly how the atomic bomb changed the world.

I think this is part of the problem I'm trying to address. I feel many people see this issue as being in the past because the cold war is over, atmospheric tests are banned and such weapons haven't been used directly since Nagasaki.

This attitude is a falacy however as people forget that there are fewer but many times more powerful warheads today than ever, active research and development continues, more nations seek to attain this capability and our so-called "leaders" won't let us forget the constant spectre of WMDs falling into the wrong hands.

So, it has as much if not more relevance today than ever, especially with the world seemingly becoming more polarized and intolerant.

The Triniti concept however is not meant to focus attention on the negative or apportion blame but simply to highlight the issues and unite people behind a common purpose.

[CAHDsman]

It is a great concept and in plan I think the atomic symbols will come across, but in elevation and perspective it may be hard to visually illustrate the concept. That doesn't mean a viewer has to know the underlying concept to be in awe of a piece. It just means you may have to add to the flavor in detailing or materials to bring it across. The conical or beeker shape of a nuclear power plant may also make the connection to the average viewer.

It appears to be a cause/message you feel very strongly about and that should help you in your ambition to get the message across. What is great about the entries so far is that a lot of them have a philosophical message or experience that they are trying to convey. Great start so far, good luck!

[brianhay]

Originally Posted by CAHDsman

It is a great concept and in plan I think the atomic symbols will come across, but in elevation and perspective it may be hard to visually illustrate the concept. That doesn't mean a viewer has to know the underlying concept to be in awe of a piece.

Thanks for the feedback!

Although my concept description is rather "in your face", I want the final architecture (even in plan) to be more subtle and subjective. People should be able to discern limitless (or no) meaning from the piece depending on their individual perspective and interpretation.

Regards,
Brian.

[CAHDsman]

I think that is a good approach, the final deliverable is more about strong imagery than it is about program or theoretical approach. I think focusing on something that comes accross as a piece of art/architecture is more important based on the assignment and contest title. Good luck!

[Designer]

Interesting concept and it seems like you have a pragmatic approach to the final form and not trying to make sure everyone knows your underlying theory when viewing it.

[TheAllusionist]

I am also glad you like the Contest theme, thanks!