DAMIEN TAN
Shape Cities - Esmeralda
Shape Cities is based on the text by Italo Calvino, "Invisible Cities". Using only 3 rectilinear volumes (1 Dominant, 1 Subdominant, 1 Subordinate), the motive of this project assignment is to create a schematic translation of the assigned city. My assigned city is called Esmeralda and the city should not exceed 24 x 24 x 24cm and should be 1 cohesive piece with no base allowed.
Esmeralda, a city with water surrounding its entire area, is made up of a network of canals and streets span and intersect each other. Habitants of Esmeralda have two options to travel around the place and while travelling around the city, Esmeralda's extensive and dwindling water ways and land routes are inevitable and each and everyone of them will have to travel in a zig zag direction. In addition, Esmeralda also consists of a plethora of routes and walkways that are in the form of steps and staircase landings at different heights and levels, and houses in Esmeralda are stacked up on these steps at random, giving habitants a surreal experience. With that, the entire city is about Movement and Rhythm.
​
The model is constructed from a series of dominant, subdominant and subordinate cuboids. Each cuboid have their own dimensions, giving the entire shape city model it own personal character. The perimeter of this model measures 24cm x 24cm x24cm.
MODEL PICTURES
The cuboids are arranged in a way where both Rhythm and Movement can be identified and they are held together in different manners to showcase the dynamics of the city model.
The model consists of two layers at different arrangement. Firstly, surrounding about half of the city model outside, the cuboids, consisting of Dominants, subdominant and subordinates are arranged in a descending order from one point at the same time, showcasing the network of routes that are not arranged on one level, but follows instead an up-and-down course of steps, landings, cambered bridges, hanging streets and residential units in Esmeralda.
Secondly, the centre structure of the entire city model represents the main support, the main sturdy structure of the entire city model where the walkways and bridges are connected together in a branching and extended manner, holding the entire city model in place.
​
Because both the center structure of the city and the surrounding walls are connected by bridges and walkways, combining segments of the various routes, elevated or on ground level, each habitant of Esmeralda can enjoy everyday the pleasure of a new itineary to reach the same places.
​
I chose to design Esmeralda in such a way because I want to use a network of organised structures to create a composition with dynamic orientation to portray the principles of Movement and Rhythm in the city of Emeralda.