Theory of Relativity and Spacetime.

Space and duration are one

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“There is no difference between time and any of the three dimensions of space except that our consciousness moves along it”

– Edgar Allen Poe

“Modern physics states that there is no absolute, static space (Newton System). They are relative to moving points of reference.”

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“In theory of relativity there is no unique absolute time, but instead each individual has his own personal measure of time that depends on where he is and how he is moving.”

– Stephen Hawking

“Cubism breaks with Renaissance perspective. It views objects relatively : that is, from several points of view, no one of which has exclusive authority.”

– Sigfried Giedion

“The human brain keeps time, from the flicker of milliseconds to the languorous unfurling of hours and days and years. It’s the product of hundreds of millions of years of evolution.”

– Carl Zimmer from the article How your Brain can Control Time

Pratt Institute – Roma Tre Workshop

Last week we had an opportunity to take part in a week long design workshop at the university Roma Tre. There, we collaborated with not only fellow Italian architecture students, but also the faculty of Roma Tre as well as guest architects who were invited to take part in this workshop. We were broken up into teams of 8-10 people with one guest architect as the team leader in each team. Together we were able to open up a discourse about the Ponte Rotto, a fragment of once one of the busiest bridges during ancient Rome. Our task was to address not only the existing remains of the bridge, but also the historical context while proposing a project that will bring life back to the Broken Bridge once again. The next few images uploaded are images from our presentation at the end of the workshop. I will try to give brief descriptions of each image and our approach to the project.

Plan Render of the Tiber Island, the Ponte Palatino and the fragment of the Ponte Rotto along with our proposal. One of the main concerns we dealt with was to re-establish the axis of the bridge that was changed with the construction of the new existing bridge. However, we also wanted to establish a connection between the Ponte Rotto to the Tiber Island.

Section and Elevtion of Bridge proposal. Due to the periodic flooding of the Tiber River (which actually caused the collapse of the Ponte Rotto) we had to come up with a temporary bridge connection that not only withstands the flooding, but also makes a statement about the area. We believed that the ruined bridge is not as prominent as other ruins within the city of Rome therefore we decided to propose a suspension bridge that doesn't actually dominate the site, but acts more like a symbol to bring more attention to the Ponte Rotto, and improve pedestrian flow.

Because of the high traffic on the Lungo Tevere and lack of a crosswalk at the intersection of our site, we proposed the bridge to span in two directions, one over the river of water, and the other over the river of traffic. How poetic.

Higher elevational view of the site with our bridge spanning over the Lungo Tevere street as well as spanning out towards the Ponte Rotto.

A more clear view of our whole proposal. Suspension bridge on one end (it may be good to add that we're proposing that the suspension bridge is self supporting and does not rely on the structural integrity of the Ponte Rotto, therefore it can remain unharmed) but we're also proposing on the other end a collapsible stair system that goes down into a rotating platform which allows pedestrians to traverse onto the Tiber Island.

And finally, the intersection of our proposed bridge system and the existing bridge Ponte Palatino. We envision this intersection would act as a piazza space that allows for a good vantage point of not only the Ponte Rotto but also the Tiber Island.

I’m really glad I was able to take part in this workshop, not only was it fun, but it was a great experience interacting with other architecture students from outside our own institution. It was also a great experience working as a real design team with everyone working towards a common goal, all within a period of only five days.

Work cont’d

Old man sculpture: Old people are fun to draw because there's so much more going on.

Small baths of Hadrian's Villa. We visited the expansive villa last week with archaeologist Jan where he attempted to recontruct the ruins using descriptions of the way it was during the time it was completed. It was very difficult to imagine the scale and finish of the buildings because what remains there now is so fragmented and eroded. But the spaces were interesting nonetheless.

Ponte Rotto: Remaining fragment of the broken bridge in Rome. This is the site of our week long workshop. I will post up more about the workshop we were involved with and final images from it in the next post. All I have to say about it now is that it has been a great experience.

Paris and the Louvre

Cupid and Psyche (After Cupid revives her from deep sleep with a kiss)

Study of a sculpture's body in the Louvre

Female sculpture at the Louvre

Notre Dame

View of Notre Dame from bridge

Church interior with interesting space: cross vaults that run behind the apse.

View of Notre Dame from bridge

Southern Italy Impressions

Cathedral of Trani

Matera

Ruined Houses of Sassi in Matera

Library stairs of Certosa Monastery

Pencil Work