Brian Coates - Linear Array - 3DAllusions

geckster · #1 (**permalink**) 07-15-2006, 05:24 PM

I usually don't enter competitions, which kind of explains why I never win anything. Hopefully this will change that on both counts.

I have to admit though, after seeing Paulo Barrelas' entry I thought, "Well here's the winner. Let's pack up and go home."

But the influence of Santiago Calatrava in Paulo's design reminded me of Calatrava's interest in 'kinetic architecture', or buildings that change their physical form to adapt to environmental conditions or use. I've always been fascinated by this concept.

The idea of an architectural wonder usually involves an object (or group of objects) of great size and the largest moving structure I could think of was a radio telescope, a truly modern type of 'wonder'. They're also highly articulated structures, which I particularly like.

So that's my idea. An immense 'Calatrava' linear array, set in the middle of a desert expanse, maybe a bit rough around the edges, broken here or there but still fully functional, a 'living' monument to the enquiring mind of man, (and woman).

Here's my concept sketch, a typical section view:

Concept modeling, (yellow blob = scale person):

Comments and crits most welcome.

TheAllusionist · #2 (**permalink**) 07-15-2006, 05:42 PM

Yeah! I love Caltrava's work and I also told Paulo to slow down you are scarying away contestants! LOL Looking good I like it, you have completed the requirements for the first milestone, congratulations and good luck!

anonyma · #3 (**permalink**) 07-15-2006, 06:33 PM

Welcome Brian!

Your concept sketch is reallly clean...i'd only suggest you start showing a little more about the usage and application of structure...maybe taking advantage of solar and wind power...

Hope to see some more modelling soon!

if you don't mind sharing...how did you set sky? or envorinment?...looks great!

madelgado · #4 (**permalink**) 07-15-2006, 07:22 PM

Hello!

Yes, Santiago Calatrava is the best architect in Spain and one of the best of the world.

Very good concept.

pradipta · #5 (**permalink**) 07-15-2006, 08:03 PM

Brian, welcome abroad! great concept and design. Calatrava is also one of my favorite architect. may be you can tell us more about the usage of the structure as mentioned by anonyma. Good Luck

pBarrelas · #6 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 09:51 AM

LOL...thanks for the compliment my friend but i'm too far of winning this with so great entries arround here!!
Great entry mate!!

geckster · #7 (**permalink**) 07-23-2006, 06:02 PM

Apologies for the lack of updates.

I've been fiddling with the geometry quite a bit for the last week, (which basically means deleting half of what I originally done), plus I decided to bite the bullet and do some hardware maintenance that I've been putting off for, oh, about 18 months.

I've just spent the last three days or so backing up, reformatting and partitioning my HD, and then re-installing the entire thing from scratch. Let's just say I now know why I put it off for so long...

TheAllusionist: Thank you. It's good to know I could achieve so much with my first post.

anonyma: Thanks. You got me thinking about the specifics of what this thing does, which is why I've been going back and forth with the modelling. Hopefully I'll have something more defined to post in the next few days.
As for the sky, it's a pre-generated, spherically mapped HDRI image, all done with Lightwave.

madelgado: Thank you.

pradipta: Thanks. I'm a bit brain-dead at the moment but I'll try doing a full 'functional description' once I've something more refined to show.

pBarrelas: You may not have won yet but I wouldn't be surprised if you do. IMHO you're the guy to beat.

Again, thanks for the comments guys. I'll have more to show soon(ish).

pradipta · #8 (**permalink**) 07-23-2006, 06:14 PM

Brian , we wait to see your next updates. i hope your comp is working fine now

anonyma · #9 (**permalink**) 07-23-2006, 10:59 PM

thanx for the tip Brian!

i see HDRI can help a lot to improve environment and scene quality...will dig more into it.

Hope to see more updates and keep working with refreshed machine before it gets messy again...LOL (always happens)

d.sign · #10 (**permalink**) 07-23-2006, 11:47 PM

This is ineresting concept and very elaborated structure already. Good idea to bring in kinetic aspect, but I think you incountered problem of real use of this structure and what to do with it after this first steps... Cause it already look almost finished and it brings you questions what to add to improve it and not spoil it... but perhaps I am wrong... anyway welcome and good luck!
I think in your title is essence to be lean on - linear array, infinite linear array - sound very promissing...