Zoomorphic Architecture

In an attempt to learn more about animal based architecture I went to the Library where I found this book, and learnt that its called Zoomorphic architecture. Inside where many examples of buildings that had been designed with something natural as its basis. Shells stingrays and fish had been done before, but nowhere either in the book or on the internet could I find an octopus/ squid based building. This spurred me on to do this idea even more, I like doing original ideas as there are so few left.

Another source I found full of examples is on this old V&A web page, http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1269_zoomorphic/homepage.htm

Zoomorphic presents a startling new trend in architecture – buildings that look like animals. Animal resemblances arise for various reasons. An architect may wish to create a symbol, as architects have always done. Or, there may be a functional explanation for why a building comes to share elements of its design with that of some living creature.

Nature In Architecture/ Kraken: King of The Sea

Here is Disney's Little Mermaids Atlantis, to me it appears to be based on the environment around it, which is a coral reef. The surrounding habitat is incorporated into the architecture of the castle, weather or not the tops of the towers are actual shells or just made to look like them is anyones guess. Either way I like how the architecture uses natural shapes that are to do with the sea such as shells and coral like shapes.

As you can see above a lot of modern architects look to nature for inspiration, If i go and do an Atlantean castle it will be based on sea life/ or have sea life incorporated.

The image above instantly reminded me of an octopus, Im not sure what the whole building looks like but it reminds of the eyes of an Octopus. I love Octopi and Squids!!! (aka cephalopod molluscs) They're very mysterious and are often very beautiful and are well known for inhabiting sunken ships as they are famous for there ability to squash themselves through key holes and the like.

Squids and Octopi have been the basis of myth and legends for thousands of years eg the Octopus vase is, Minoan, c. 1500 BCE, 28cm, from Palaikastro (Knossos Palace), Crete. Across the globe throughout time there has been reports of giant tentacled creatures attacking and sinking ships, the most known name for this mythical beast is the Kraken, which I believe must be based of sitings of the rare but real Giant Squid.
If atlantis were real I think Atlantean's would consider like me the Kraken/ Giant Squid to be king of the Sea, and would respect them perhaps even worship them like the Egyptians did cats. For this reason if doing an atlantean castle I would incorporate cephalopod elements into the architecture. 

 I thought that I may use these Diatoms in my design as they are so interesting, nature is so beautiful close up. There composition are very mathematical and most often designed to be strong, perfect for use in building architecture. I do go on to use the top circular blue one and the shape of the triangular one in my castle design.

Gothic Style Study

 Here are a few gothic  bits and bobs that I tried doing in a stylised way, a style similar to that of Tim Burtons. Im very happy with them I really enjoy the style, I imagine doing the style in maya may be tricky as it involves a lot of warping and distorting.

Here are two quick gothic bridge concepts one the left done in pencil, the right one in photoshop. I like the idea of a long bridge supported only by thin supports that stretch down into the darkness of a chasm, one that has a sense of danger. The other two sketch's are just two gargoyle/ guardian ideas.

Tile-able Textures

While taking photos around Norwich I looked out for textures that may be useful for producing tile-able textures, above are some I found. Below is a photo of one of Norwich's many flint walls, I decided to see if I could make it into a tile-able texture that could be used for texturing in maya. We did learn how to do this in one of our tutorials but I did use a youtube tutorial just to recap
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chFSIUXe1Ro ).

Here is my finished flint tile-able texture. Im very proud of it, looking at it, its very hard to tell its tiled the seams are all but invisible. Its all in line and ready to use as a texture.

Gothic Inspiration from around Norwich

  I would say that Norwich Castle is intimidating in a different way to most, its not got huge towers or fancy decor, its shape is what makes it intimidating. The basic overall cube shape gives it a sense of strength and impregnability. Theres only one way to attack and thats over the bridge. I really like the idea of gargoyles, above were the closest thing I could find in Norwich. I also love the golden weather vain, if I choose Gothic one of those is a must.

If I were to do a gothic themed castle It would be large imposing figure on the skyline, like the spire above. I really like the range of flint bricks used around Norwich, Below are all from the same building yet the coloration changes in each (darker, more blue, whiter, rounder). I live the style of the window, and the triangular decor below and how the door frame decoration incorporates family crests. 

This is the closest to a gargoyle I could find in Norwich, but its more of a statue although there are two of them that stand sentry to the building behind.

Gothic Vs Atlantean

Im going to go down each path a little, see where it takes me so I can find out which style I want to do more.