Update :: 11/28/13 - YouTube?!

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving!   

     Okay, so I wanted to talk to you guys about the future I see with this blog.  I have recently upgraded my gaming PC with a much better graphics card, a new power supply, and I bought a new headset.  And now with a free, open-source program called Open Broadcaster Software (OBS), I can easily record games and integrate live or post commentary.  This has opened up a totally new type of content that I can produce: high-definition videos.  I think I will stay fairly active on this blog though, but I am leaning towards...that's right... YouTube.  Since I can easily make videos now, YouTube may turn into my new main outlet for posting content involving real-life and Minecraft architecture.  If I do start making videos, I will definitely post them here also (obviously the ones I post here will pertain to architecture).  But the biggest benefit I see with moving to YouTube as a primary content outlet is that I don't have to rely on pictures and text.  And obviously with YouTube, I can easily go up to a structure, walk around it, and literally talk about it in extreme detail.  You'll be able to hear my voice :D

     With all this being said, don't feel discouraged.  I have had so much fun on this blog over the course of almost three years now!  I am planning on making my first Minecraft YouTube video very soon, and I will discuss the Stoa of Doric in detail while walking around in it!  Once this video has been uploaded, I will post it here also.  Hopefully this YouTube thing works out okay!  We will see!  And yes I will post updates to this blog if plans change.  Below are a list of very important links pertaining to this post:

>> My YouTube Channel
>> The Great Stoa of Doric
>> Open Broadcaster Software

Edit: Making videos and commentating over them is very new to me.  This will be a totally different experience than blogging, haha.

12/2/13 - School is back and starting to become very busy again.  After finals are over (December 20th), I'll work on getting that Minecraft video out!

Minecraft Architecture :: Stoa of Doric

 Welcome back to the next installment of Minecraft Architecture.  I'm back from a hiatus, and today I have a magnificent town hall inspired from the Stoa of Attalos in my previous Dazzling Designs post.  I am very proud of this structure.  In my eyes, it is truly one of my greatest personal accomplishments in Minecraft.  We started constructing this on September 28 and completed rather quickly, going off of a prototype in the creative world.  This was the result.  I call it "The Great Stoa of Doric."

    

    As you can see from above, this stoa is a cross-shape, which is intended.  I'm obviously using a style of architecture from the Greeks.  (Who doesn't love Greek culture?!)  I'm also very happy with the color scheme involved.  (Great color for the roof with that stone-brick outline.)

  

    Following a very close replica of the Stoa of Attalos, this stoa also has rows of colonnades, which are basically a line of columns.  The Stoa of Doric is very open, letting plenty of fresh air and sunlight through.  Behind each colonnade, or cobblestone wall, is sandstone.  Without the sandstone, this structure would be much more dull, and the color of sandstone really helps make the stoa even closer to a real-life counterpart.

    The front facade is made of a mix of quartz blocks with oak log supports on either side.  It even includes a balcony with a beautiful iron bar railing.

    Walking up to the front steps, you will see a sign with the building's name and two lamp posts on either side.  The steps are made of polished quartz.  There's even a jukebox before you reach the inside!

The Inside:

    The floors of the stoa are lined with red and black carpet with quartz (imitating marble) in the center.  In the entrance wing, there are paintings and flower pots, adding to the Greek, open-air atmosphere.

    Here's a side view of what the colonnades look like as a whole, with the sandstone behind them.  It is simply a pattern of stone-brick stairs and slabs and cobblestone pillars (walls).  This is really where the stoa shines: in its intricate colonnades.

    In the center is a very expensive floor with lights underneath and a glorious chandelier hanging above.  The pedestal in the center holds the only dragon egg in existence with clocks on each side.

   Here's another great view facing towards the entrance. ^^

    This is the town message board where people can post events and information for everyone to see.

    Here's a closer, outside view of the colonnades.

   I wanted to add big banners hanging from each side of the stoa.  So I worked on a design that would look weathered and worn, yet also pretty cool!  I used a mix of red wool (too make it look weathered), red stained clay, and the black stained clay for the cross.  This was the result:

    Final Thoughts:

    I thoroughly enjoyed designing and constructing this town hall.  It was seriously a first in my book, and through this I found that I really adore this style of architecture.  Here's a side tip for building: always PLAN.  I can't stress enough how helpful it is to build something in creative first where you can see your results right away and change on the fly.  After you complete your final product in creative, build it in survival.  It may seem like you are building it twice, but it is so much easier than building solely in survival.  You will be very content with your buildings as a result.  Hope to you see on the next one!

 - I really appreciate everyone involved in helping construct this magnificent beast!

Check out my YouTube video on this stoa here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPtFeXNqxmY 

References:

>> Stoa of Attalos 

>> Doric Style 

>> Previous Minecraft Architecture Post

Dazzling Designs :: Stoa of Attalos

Welcome back to the next installment of Dazzling Designs!

 

     The Stoa of Attalos in Athens, Greece is a remarkable structure.  Built in 138 B.C. by King Attalos II, this Mediterranean wonder served as a perfect place for the people to gather for events.  It provides protection from the elements while still letting light and fresh air in.  Forty-two shops reside inside the stoa which serves as an important landmark for trade and commerce in Athens.

     The front facade and columns are made out of beautiful marble taken from quarries nearby in the mountains and the walls on the inside are made of limestone.  The modern reconstruction rests almost exactly on the first foundation, and luckily the original front facade was intact showing the height of the old roof.  This helped the reconstruction process tremendously as they knew how high the roof was.

Before Reconstruction:

After Reconstruction:

 

      The stoa still serves as a gathering place for the people of Athens.  Greek architecture is one of my favorites.  They use marble, limestone, and sandstone to create very ornate and intricate structures.  I noticed many Greek structures have very flat and gradual roofs which I really like.  I will be incorporating this style into some future Minecraft projects which you'll be seeing very soon!

References-(all pictures and information):

>> http://www.agathe.gr/overview/the_stoa_of_attalos.html

Update :: 9-17-13

 EDIT (9-22): I've been quite busy and haven't gotten around to posting.  Hopefully I'll get the next Dazzling Designs out by the end of this week.

Be looking for a new post later this week!  It will be the next installment in my Dazzling Designs series and will cover the Stoa of Attalos in Athens!

>> Picture from agathe.gr

Skyrim Architecture :: Raven Rock

Welcome to the next installment of my Skyrim Architecture series, where I scout the Skyrim world in search of the most beautiful structures and landmarks Bethesda's award-winning franchise has to offer.  This time I am covering the Dragonborn DLC.

 

 

    Raven Rock sits on the island of Solstheim.  Prior to the eruption of the volcano in Vvardenfell, the settlement was a mining town owned by the East Empire Company.  To this day, it serves as the main port for Solstheim, but since the devastation caused by the Red Mountain erupting in 4E 05, Raven Rock has been declining.  Eleven years later in 4E 16, the High King of Skyrim gives Solstheim to the Dunmer for refugees coming from Vvardenfell and Morrowind.  The entire island is now covered in ashes.

 

    Almost every building was destroyed after the eruption.  After 4E 16, the Dunmer started rebuilding the city leading to the prominence of Dunmer culture and architecture.  These mysterious people from Vvardenfell and Morrowind have very different architectural styles than the Empire.  Most structures look as if they were made from the exoskeleton of an insect.

 

    

    Dunmer architecture is something worth admiring.  They have a strong culture and rich heritage that includes some of the most breathtaking structures in the Elder Scrolls universe.  Although I find it difficult to analyze their structures, I can definitively say that these insect-like buildings are very interesting.  (I could not find many pictures on the wiki or more examples of Dunmer architecture.  If I had a PC copy of Skyrim, I would take all the pictures myself.  Keep in mind that for now I want to stay purely with Skyrim.  I am considering covering some of the older games in the future.)

 

All pictures and information from The Elder Scrolls Wiki.

>> Previous Skyrim Architecture Post





Minecraft Building Guide :: Introduction

     Building things and making them look epic in Minecraft is tough.  (Especially with the default texture pack)  You have to have the right sense for aesthetics and know how colors mix and match.  You have to know how to add depth and detail, and you have to know how it ultimately affects the build as a whole.  Building in Minecraft is like painting on a 3D canvas, and this post is devoted to teaching you the basics of how to turn a very simple build into something people will admire.  This will teach you the fundamental concepts for building epic things in Minecraft.

Update :: 8-22-13

Be looking for a new post (most likely) tomorrow night on fundamental Minecraft architecture concepts.

 

 

 

 

 

>> Photos taken by me!

Back to Paradise?...We'll See.

       Hi all!  It has been awhile hasn't it?  Motivation and inspiration have been gone from me for this blog for almost a year now.  Many have commented since that post in October, and thank you for all the friendly, encouraging comments, questions, and feedback!  I will be starting to post again.  How frequently you might ask? 

       It will definitely not be compared to 2012 (at least for the time-being).  My guess is (depending on school work and such) not that much.  I cannot give you a straight answer on this, sorry!  Inspiration is also a factor.  I don't want to whip out crappy content™ when I'm not inspired or feeling totally out of it. I know of many YouTubers that say the exact same thing.  But without question, I am finally back from a massive hiatus, and I hope to see you all soon.

EDIT: I just added an easy way to keep up with my blog: Following by Email

To follow by email! (this is the best way to follow in my opinion): go to the bottom of the page and submit the email address you want updates to be sent to every time I make a new post!

Today's ArchiPic #112 :: Heddal (Stave Church)

     Heddal stave church (Heddal stavkirke) in Norway | Picture courtesy of Wikipedia.org

    Today's ArchiPic is the Heddal (triple nave) Stave Church in the municipality of Notodden in Norway.  It is Norway's oldest stave church.  Look at the layers of roof! :D  This thing was built in the 13th century and has gone through a series of restorations that have changed it slightly from its original appearance.

Circa 1890-1900



             This church has a rich history, but it also has its own legend!  Yes a legend.  Want to see it?

Sources:
>>The Legend and History.
>>Don't know what a "stave church" is? Then check this out!

- More posts to come!  (not as frequent like they used to be in 2012 though, for the foreseeable future at least)