An Inspiration Project from Superstudio:
Continuous Monuments
Assessment 2A: DRAWING & SPECULATION
by Kevin (Kaizheng) Liu | DDWO001 | UTS Insearch
The Continuous Monuments is a series of conceptual drawings that attempt to re-establish the connection between artificial creations and natural landscapes that is covered by contemporary architecture. It is a part of the Superstudio collection, founded by Italian architects Adolfo Natalini (1941-2020) and Cristiano Toraldo di Francia (1941-2019).
The key concept of Continuous Monument is originally inspired by the Florence floods in 1966. (n.d., 2018) In a dystopian vision of natural disasters, Superstudio envisions how natural and non-natural creations communicate with each another through the flood water that almost submerged the city – the surface reflection it formed has become an symbolization of the interaction between human development and the nature. In that case, Superstudio’s suggestion is to get the Arno river blocked while it can submerge Florence even further, symbolizing that it is been overwhelmed by tourism.
Figure 1. Salvages of italian city centers (your italy) illustrated six proposals to save historic italian city centers.
To demonstrate these sorts of “natural-artifical interaction”, “Supersurfaces” is conceptualized to be able to highlight the distinct features of the natural landscapes while maintaining the function and utilization of the architecture, “A balance between urbanism and ecology” (n.d., 2018). An existing example could be the Great Wall of China. Where the defensive barrier structure is built at the peak among the mountains. Outlining the natural shape of the continuous mountains (Peter, 2003).
Figure 2. The Great Wall of China, built continuously, following the peak of the mountains.
These illustrations are drawn in perspective views. Perspective images supplies viewer a realistic immersion of the constructed scene. In this case, the illustrations generate a point of view where the effect of reflection surfaces are vividly, interactively demonstrated, achieving the main ideology of Continuous Monuments – to re-establish a connection between natural and artificial aspects on architectures.
Collaging is also a technique used in Continuous Monuments. The collection is built up with a series of idealized illustrations that are collaged into an album. The use of collage has reinforced the main ideology even further, providing viewers strong-backed visions of a possible future concept.
Figure 3. Continuous Monument: Countryside and the lake.
Figure 4. Continuous Monument: The City (1).
Figure 5. Continuous Monument: The City (2).
Personal Work
In my project, I attempt to demonstrate Natalini and di Francia’s ideology of “a balance between urbanism and ecology” in mega structures that possess a close relationship with its surrounding terrains.
For my first model, I have constructed a cross-shaped glass bridge that has foundations at four different shores of the river. As shown in figure 6, the purpose constructing this is to bind a mega structure as a human factored object, and water as an important natural element to explore a combined aesthetic of both, and as a rare opportunity for human to admire the great nature through those see-through glass on the bridge.
Figure 6. Cross-shaped glass bridge over a river.
For my second model, I have drawn a row of reflective glass pillars that are connected to a continuous bridge laying close to the peak of the mountain. While outlining the natural features of the mountain, these mega structures are also to form a perspective where human is able to discover the nature in a similar level of height.
Figure 7. Reflective glass pillars connecting a continuous bridge on a mountain.
In my third model, I have created a structure that consists of large reflective glass panel to surround the mid to top part of the mountain. These reflection surfaces are able to replicate the image of the existing natural landscapes, highlighting the natural shaping of the mountains. It also allows the space to be even more connected through the reflection of the sky.
Figure 8. Large reflective glass box that surrounds the mountain.
Process
Tool / Software Used:
- Cinema 4D (for initial conceptual rendering)
- Adobe Sketch on iOS (for illustrations)
In order to create my illustrations, I have utilized certain professional tools and software such as Maxon Cinema 4D and Adobe Sketch to assist my drawing. Initially, I used the video game Minecraft as my concept building and modeling tool. I have built my first few idealized mega structures on given terrains, then exported to Cinema 4D using Mineways for further editing and rendering.
Figure 9. Step 1 - Initial conceptual building in Minecraft.
Figure 10. Step 2 - Further editing with the conceptual model.
After editing, I have rendered my conceptual images. Following these images, I then started drawing them on Adobe Sketch on my iPad. The most difficult process among these steps is recreating the reflection. Without the assistance of computer calculation, it is hard to have an accurate vision of a reflection surface.
After going through few sketches and attempts, my drawings are finalized and polished and finally I have put them into a collage for exhibition on this portfolio.
Figure 11. Step 3 - Rendering process.
Figure 12. Step 4 - Digital hand Illustration that is done on Adobe Sketch.
References
Liu, K. (2020). [Cross-shaped glass bridge over a river.]
Liu, K. (2020). [Reflective glass pillars connecting a continuous bridge on a mountain.]
Liu, K. (2020). [Large reflective glass box that surrounds the mountain.]
Liu, K. (2020). [Initial conceptual building in Minecraft.]
Liu, K. (2020). [Step 2 - Further editing with the conceptual model.]
Liu, K. (2020). [Step 3 - Rendering process.]
Liu, K. (2020). [Step 4 - Digital hand Illustration that is done on Adobe Sketch.]
n.d. (2020). [Salvages of italian city centers (your italy) illustrated six proposals to save historic italian city centers.] Retrieved from https://www.designboom.com/architecture/cristiano-toraldo-di-francia-radical-superstudio-design-death-08-01-2019/
n.d. Superstudio. (2018). Retrieved from https://visualmelt.com/Superstudio.
Peter, L. (2003). Superstudio. Retrieved from: http://arch122superstudio.blogspot.com/2012/06/continuous-monument-architectural-model_15.html
Stalder, S. (2013). [The Great Wall of China, built continuously, following the peak of the mountains.] Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Great_Wall_of_China_at_Jinshanling-edit.jpg.
Toraldo di Francia, C. (1970). [Continuous Monument: Countryside and the lake.]https://www.cristianotoraldodifrancia.it/continuous-monument/
Toraldo di Francia, C. (1970). [Continuous Monument: The City (1).]https://www.cristianotoraldodifrancia.it/continuous-monument/
Toraldo di Francia, C. (1970). [Continuous Monument: The City (2).]https://www.cristianotoraldodifrancia.it/continuous-monument/
