The myth of Apollon and the Python
Python was a huge serpent or dragon that lived in a cave at the foot of Delphi. Python was feared and revered by the people of the region, who believed that it had the power to predict the future. He hunted Leto while she was pregnant with Artemis and Apollon, sent by Hera to kill Leto.
One day, Apollo came to Delphi, a town at the foot of Mount Parnassus, and discovered the cave where Python lived. He wanted to avenge his mothers’ trauma and troubles from the Python, he then killed the serpent with his arrows, and from its body rose the fumes and vapors that inspired the oracles of Delphi, where Apollo created and built it, on the site of the Python’s death.
Apollo then took over the cave as his own shrine, and he became known as the god of prophecy and the patron of the arts. He was also known as Pythian Apollo, in honor of his victory over the python.
Allegory
Allegory is a story symbolising power and new beginnings. I found inner power to be a rich and symbolic area of focus, as it symbolises new beginnings for the python who is dead, and also Apollon who becomes the Pythian Apollo, god of many things, almost a new identity is created due to his fearless act. I want to transfer this into a design where the snake skin opens up into a central void creating and symbolising the new beginnings of Apollon.
Ο μύθος του Απόλλωνα και του Πύθωνα
midjourney visualisation.
battle of the cave.
Terzakis, A. (2023). Battle of the Cave, MidJourney generated image, [keywords: Apollo elimnating the python in a dark cave].
pythian apollon.
Terzakis, A. (2023). Battle of the Cave, MidJourney generated image, [keywords: Apollo eliminating the python in a cave, dark sketch render].
inner power.
Terzakis, A. (2023). Battle of the Cave, MidJourney generated image, [keywords: Apollon greek god, dark render, shining on him, thorns, shining crown].
new beginnings.
Terzakis, A. (2023). Battle of the Cave, MidJourney generated image, [keywords: Apollon greek god, dark render, shining on him, red spots on face, shining crown].
(The Oracle of Delphi, 2023) Historic Delphi, centre being Apollo’s temple and the Oracle
(Apollo killing the Python, 2023) Visual Representation of the event
(The Oracle of Delphi, 2023) Oracle - interior
(Python, 2023) Python chasing Leto, Apollon and Artemis
(My Unusual Journeys, 2023) Oracle today and what remains of the significant site in Delphi
(Apollon, 2023) Right demonstrates Apollo in battle, with the wreath of laurel leaves, and a bow and arrow.
story timeline.
PYTHON, LETO & TWINS
geometry/effect.
new beginnings
These diagrams represent the form and its forces in presenting the allegory and its message. The diagrams reflect the movements and motions the skin has across the space, and general wall rotation on the horizontal and vertical axis’
Design vision of creating a multi purpose outdoor space that acts as a pavillion space, while creating an experience or journey through the campus. The form is drawn from the yoshimura form and how that sharp and hard exterior (python skin) is complemented by its smooth interior (new beginnings) on the site.
This will make it an interactive space that draws adverse opinions and feelings from the users and visitors of the space both surrounding and within.
yoshimura origami circle extraction
SKIN 2 SKIN 1
skin extraction design
rotating system movement
skin height fluidity
I believe that the square base variations are effective, however it doesn’t reflect the skin walls, and rather contrasts it, creating a confusing form design wise. But the round base, either circular or oval shaped compliments it and creates a clear merge between the base and walls in regards to its connection to ground on the site. I feel that the round is the best option to go for, and the rail systems below explores the possibilities of the form.
The rail system variations and changes explore the nature of how the walls will move on the horizontal axis level to the base, or above. Most railways curve inwards creating that inviting space within the centre of the base, which is great and invites you in from the sharp and geometric facade. But, on the other hand, I found the opposite aesthetic also a successful design, as the outer areas are the inviting (new beginning) spaces and the sharp and harsh environment is within (python skin) creating that difference in emotion in the user experience.
skin facade.
emulating yoshimura origami, with two walls, one at a resting height of 4500 & the other at 5200 rail system.
rail joinery detail.
SCALE 1:10
connection between every layer that makes the structure work and rotate.
top layer represents the moveable & dynamic section of the rail, attached to the walls
bottom layer are the structural areas of the rail, that create a strong base for the walls to be able to rotate circular base.
round base completing the circular flow of the space, both interior and on the exterior too
variation/mechanism.
250 70 70 70 20 20 100 100 50 150 skin facade skin beam: attachment to rail system rail system inner moveable rail system piece base
Attachment to the site, creating the ever flowing walls within the site. Diagrams on the left indicate how the structure is bound to the circular base, and how the walls are attached to the round rail system that offsets the base, creating that multi dimensional rotation on the horizontal and vertical axis’ of the design.
section a-a.
SCALE 1:25 representing the interior experience and interactions that the user encounters.
Situated to the particular site as it is a hotspot in circulation across the campus, connecting multiple buildings, creating a central interactive hotspot for students as well as the general public. It is attached to the site via the allegory, and could be a passage way for students too have a ‘refresh’ and ‘new beginning’ boosting effectivity before entering classes on campus.
attachment/impact. 1- circular
4 -
base/foundation
2 - Addition of the 2 rail systems 3 - Addition of the wall support beams
5 - Addition of skin walls, lifted up from the rail 6 - final structure
Addition of the wall base rail to increase movement and structural space
