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