Foreword
Beyond the Blueprint: Bridging the Gap Between Visionary Architecture and Built Structures
The exhibition, Beyond the Blueprint: Bridging the Gap Between Visionary Architecture and Built Structures will focus on visionary architecture, the gap between it and real life built structures and how the advancement of construction materials and computer software has allowed for the construction structures that in the past were considered impossible. The goal of the exhibition is to bridge the gap between these two aspects of architecture Étienne-Louis Boullée was a visionary French neoclassical architect. In his lifetime (17281799) he became known visionary architect who almost exclusively practiced architecture with paper projects, beautifully rendered in pencil and wash The distinguishing aspect of Boullée’s paper architecture was his abstraction of geometric forms through which he developed his “theory of bodies”, in which he claimed the sphere was the most beautiful and perfect natural body. To Boullée, the sphere represented perfection and majesty, creating graduations of soft light across its curved surface and having an “immeasurable hold over or senses” This was most highlighted in his proposal for a cenotaph honouring Isaac Newton, who 150 years after his death, had become a revered symbol of enlightenment. The design featured a 500 foot diameter sphere embedded in a three-tiered cylindrical base, to give the impression of having a buried volume. The cenotaphs design uses the sphere to create an interior world that inverts exterior lighting conditions. It does this at night using an oversized luminaire suspended at the centre point of the sphere. At day, the sphere emulates night by allowing daylight to pierce its shell through narrow punctures, who’s locations correspond to the locations of planets and constellations. Although unbuilt Boullée’s cenotaph for Isaac Newton remains an example of the visionary architect’s pursuit of the impossible.
Artist Statements
Isaac Newton Cenotaph Section 1:500
The Isaac Newton Cenotaph Section drawing was chosen as a piece for the exhibition because of its relevance in displaying Étienne-Louis Boullée’s visionary design for a cenotaph in honour of Isaac Newton. The 1:500 scale section works to show the massive size of the structure and how it was designed to emulate the night and day cycle within its large dome design.
Montreal Biosphere Section 1:500
The Montreal Biosphere Section drawing was chosen as a piece for the exhibition because of how it can be related to the Isaac Newton Cenotaph. This is because the structure features a large geodesic dome. The Montreal Biosphere was originally built as a component of EXPO 1967 and officially opened on the 27th of April 1967. The 1:500 section is placed adjacent to the section of the Isaac Newton Cenotaph in order to show the sheer difference in size between the two, the cenotaph being more than double its size.
History of Dome Architecture
The History of Dome Architecture piece was chosen for this exhibition to display the history and development of dome architecture. It is a graphic timeline featuring the origin of dome architecture to today's Geodesic domes. The timeline talks about the elements such as materials used, innovations in dome architecture and its fall, return to popularity and its change of role from solely functionality to a stylistic choice.
Isaac Newton Cenotaph Model 1:1000
Having a 1:1000 scale model of the Isaac Newton Cenotaph for the exhibition was decided in order to provide viewers of the exhibition with a method of viewing the entirety of the cenotaph in 3 dimensions. It also further shows the size of Boullèes design. The model is made white cardboard, paper and uses cotton buds for trees.
The Research Process
The research process for this exhibition began with researching French Neoclassical architect Étienne-Louis Boullée and his different works. Then researching his ‘theory of bodies’ that stated that the sphere was the most beautiful and perfect natural body. His theory was most highlighted in his proposal for a cenotaph honouring Isaac Newton, who 150 years after his death, had become a revered symbol of enlightenment. The design featured a 500-foot diameter sphere embedded in a three-tiered cylindrical base, to give the impression of having a buried volume. The exhibition’s theme then homed in on the nature of visionary architecture its pursuit of perfection and disregard for functionality and practicality. Then contrasting this nature with the reality of built structures and their real-world limitations, such as availability of materials, budget limitations, safety of the building’s occupants, and construction methods Research then shifted to dome architecture, its history and development. This was done in order to compare what was possible in-built structures in the past to todays dome architecture and how innovation in materials and computing have made the impossible reality.
Bibliography:
- Vidler, Anthony. 2020. “Etienne Louis Boullée (1728-1799).” Architectural Review. https://www.architectural-review.com/essays/reputations/etienne-louisboullee-1728-1799.
- Miller, Michelle. 2018. “Ad Classics: Cenotaph for Newton / Etienne-Louis Boullée.” ArchDaily. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com/544946/ad-classicscenotaph-for-newton-etienne-louis-boullee.
- Ganatra, S. 2023. 10 things you did not know about dome architecture. RTF | Rethinking The Future. https://www.rethinkingthefuture.com/2020/12/16/a2478-10-things-you-did-not-know-aboutdome-architecture/
- Lumen Forge. 2023. A brief history of domes. Lumen and Forge. https://lumenandforge.com/history-of-domes/