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33rd Makara Architecture Student Workshop | Gateway Installation | 2nd Place Award
01 Project Brief
Gateway installation is one of the compulsory competition organized by University of Technology Sarawak during the 33rd Makara Architecture Student Workshop. This competition requires every university to form a team of 25 participants and design a 2m x 2m x 2.5m (length x width x height) gateway, which need to be erected on the day of arrival in UTS campus. The theme given is 'Gateway to Makara', where the design should define the identity of our own delegate. Challenges given are to construct the gateway by using sustainable materials, and the gateway should be able to light up throughout the night-time without the usage of dangerous chemical such as fire or inflammable materials. Besides, power source is not supplied by UTS.
Project Brief
02 Introduction
Swirling Hope is a gateway as well as sculpture designed to illustrate the background story and identity of Arcadia. The overall design concept is conveying the 'transitional configuration' through the designed form, structure and usage of different type of materials. The idea of 'transitional configuration' links back to the storyline of Skudaipura to transit from the wasteland of Cyberpunk era into a whole new world of Arcadia. The usage of fairy lights in the gateway that glow during the night also shows the identity of Arcadia as we are taking fireflies as our spiritual animal.
Background Story of Arcadia
Then the inhabitants decided to disappear from the world for fear of the destruction that would result from humans misusing their new found knowledge. Afterwards, they had in 2011 Steampunk, 2014 Pirate, 2087 Cyberpunk. Unfortunately, the cyberpunk era of 2087 took an unexpected turn. As technology proliferated and the world progressed, human greed could not be satisfied. As a result, war began and brought about the destruction of the world. The war that had happened during the era sparks an awareness for a better and peaceful future, a new beginning for the people of Skudaipura. They searched for a new land and that utopia was called the Arcadia.
Once upon a time there was a prophecy known as 'The One', which spoke of the emergence of a great empire never seen before. Skudaipura was a great empire. Once, in this utopian land, respect for one's fellow man was the driving force of this civilisation. Soon after, a group of anarchists broke away from the Skudaipura Empire and ventured out into the world to share the knowledge that the Skudaipura had kept to themselves for thousands of years. With the help of the group of anarchists, humans advanced with technology, using their knowledge for war and power.
Introduction
03 Design Concept
Conceptual Idea
The overall concept of the gateway is trying to convey a transitional configuration through a change in materiality and proportion, showing the contrast of two distinctive elements. It is a portal where the past meets the future, witnessing the transformation and growth of Skudaipura, marking the change from Cyberpunk era, stepping into a whole new world, the Arcadia. It symbolizes the reminiscent memory of the past, reminding us of the consequences of war so that we will be the fortress in defending our inner peace. At the same time, longing for a bright future, giving prominence to the preciousness of harmonious life.
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During the day, the gateway is a spiral structure made of recyclable materials which illustrate the transition of material from opaque to transparent; proportion from narrow to wide; as well as bottle arrangement from random to organized. The stark contrast of the transition can clearly be seen at both end of the gateway's spiral structure.
Final Installation at UTS
During the night, the gateway is a sculpture of light. The glowing fairy lights illustrate the identity of Arcadia by mimicking the light of fireflies at night. Due to the different character of the materials, the light is bright at the end of bottle while it is dim at the end of cans. The gradual change in brightness creates the flying motion of fireflies, guiding people through the gateway.
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Design Concept
04 Construction
Design Phase
Structure
Form and Texture
Light Test
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Construction
Videos
05 Videos
Walkthrough
Construction Process
Presentation
Presentation by Kennard Liew Jun Hao
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