PHTHORA and APHTHARSIA

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PHTHORA and APHTHARSIA
This research is based on
the first map engraved by
Human. It investigates the
very first moment that one
of us got his eyes off
the horizon, looked up in
the sky and acknowledged
his place through Time.
The mountain’s darkness, the
dusk’s horizon and the hope
that emerges from the dawn,
are the foci of the previous
months’ study, trying to
reinterpretate the relation
between Man and the Sky.
To the dark canvas, the Night.
LINK.01
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PREFACE
Completing my research thesis(Μηδέν-Zero-) and trying to make a review
on everything that I have encountered, my mind stood upon an analysis
named “Before the Shadow”. It had to do with the design of a medium that
exists between a building and its shadow. The geometry produced wasn’t
a building nor a two-dimensional object, but it embedded all the basic
principles and ratios of the former. jump to PARENTHESIS-01
Trying to understand the reason I chose these specific examples, I concluded
that they had to do mostly with personal preferences and criteria.
So, the next step was to base this reasoning on something fundamental,
like the Sky -ΟΥΡΑΝΟΣ-.
In the beginning of this new research, I analysed and recorded the
relative motions of the celestial bodies. Indicatively, I will mention
the motion of the stars, the Sun and the Moon. The time frames of these
recordings vary from a day to almost 26000 years. Then, a question rose
to the surface:
“Is it possible for something that is
intertwined-interrelated with Time, to be
translated into an architectural drawing,
without using conventional techniques?”
So, I started the contruction-assembly of a series of maps, that had as a
purpose to reveal the everchanging nature of the Topos, having as a base
of observation what we saw as a variable until now . the Sky.
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ANALYSIS
Relative motion of the stars
around the axis of the Polar
Star.
Relative motion of the stars due
to the precession of the equinoxes.
Sample of the possition of the
contellations during the Vernal
Equinox(VE) and the Summer Solistace(SS)
of 2016.
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Precession of the Equinoxes
26000-year circle
Position of Ursa Minor
throught the years.
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Long-term distribution
of equinoxes and solistaces.

Lunar Orbit
VE
SS
The Scientist
AE
WS
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Solar orbit
Analemma
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MAPS
“...to reveal the everchanging nature
of the Topos, having as a base
of observation what we saw as a
variable until now . the Sky.”
physical model of the topography
scale: 1:5000
wrought copper
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The next step was to find the way that these maps will be inhabited.
So, now I will present an experiment to you. A society of five scientists
which is governed by the following triptych:
Aphtharsia
Science
Phthora
immaterial, ideas,
observe and record,
perishableness or the way Aphtharsia and Science
reach the final stage of human life.
The first part of this triad has the form of a space telescope
travelling in low earth orbit, taking its place in the Sky, like a new
star. Next comes the Science which, by default, has a dual nature. It
embodies the research made by the scientists and the imparting of this
research to our everyday life. Thus, Science is presented through
four points. An Observatory, a Library that stores all the data being
sent by the telescope, along with the research based on them, the scientists’
Hermitages and the Platform, which hosts the extrovert character
of Science. Finally, Phthora, is the last part of this circle of
life, represented by the “gardens of silence”.
Basic element of this project is Time; the
way we perceive it and the means we use in
order to measure it.
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APHTHARSIA
immaterial, ideas
A NEW STAR
It consists of three basic
points. The first one, is the
frame that embodies and protects
all the instruments of
the telescope. The second
one is the spherical mirror,
which is based on the principles
of Luneburg radio-telescope
and the last one is
the shutters, that protect
all the sensitive parts from
radiation and high temperatures.
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SCIENCE
This part of the Map is interpreted
by three points.
The observatory, a metal
structure composed by elements
which create the ideal
conditions for sky observation
and consequently for
counting time. Next, we see
the library, an underground
linear space, in which every
data, that the telescope
sends, is stored. Finally,
the scientists’ hermitages
are organized along a staircase.
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observatory
library
hermitages
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physical model of the
observatory
scale 1:500
wood, copper, aluminium
and casted resin
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axonometric section
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scientists’ hermitage

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The second part of the Science
is the way everyone can
be a part of this scientific
process. This part of the
Topos hosts activities such
as sky observation, conferences
and lectures.

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observation platform
scale 1:250
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Metal star-shaped structure that
suports the observation platform.
bronze alloy rods
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physical model of the observation
platform
scale 1:250
wood, marble and bronze
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PHTHORA
The Gardens of Silence
As a third and final part of this
triptych, we meet Time in its
most intuitive form . phthora.
Starting at the observation
platform and following a linear
path, you will reach the Gardens
of Silence . five cubes, buried in
the ground. Each one of them,
has an atrium and an elevating
platform on top of it, which is
also the entrance.
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The inner facade consists
of a finite number of slots,
which host the bodies and
life-work of the scientists
that inevitably reach the
last stage of phthora . Death.
The five gardens will be full
after a complete time circle
of the precesion of the equinoxes
(25772 years).
exploded diagram of the inner facade
of the garden.
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The elevating mechanism under
the platform consists
of moving units, which combined,
form a “moving tree”
that pulls the visitor inside
the garden.

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PARENTHESIS-01
BEFORE THE SHADOW
“Before the Shadow” relates as a concept with the understanding that every representation
is an approximation of the reality and not reality itself. Nevertheless,
it is powerful at evoking emotions, ideas, and feelings, as powerful was the drawing
and the clay relief for Butade’s Daughter in Pliny which functioned as a representation
of the missed reality and as a symbol with no defined topos. Similarly,
in Le Corbusier’s work, the measurements derived from his Modulor and applied to
Unite D’Habitation, are based on the represented reality and relation between the
unit and its shadow. In this realm of interpretation, Architecture is a process
that is based on the uniqueness of the Artist’s conception of the task and the
People’s ability to translate it. The object is interpreted from the developer’s
point of view representing the reality as an approximation and not as absolute.
The latter, though, may be interpreted through multiple perspectives that will be
influenced by the viewer’s own schemata and perceived reality. Consequently, design
is not absolute and neither is the creator. A shadow represents multiple realities
based on the viewer’s perception.
writings on Unite d’Habitation
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measurements

physical model
scale: n/a
casted concrete
back to PREFACE
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