Explorer Restoration Center

[Jennifer_P]

Well, I've been doodling all sorts of buildings, but I've only found one so far that I halfway like. Maybe the Dinotopia series can help...
So how about if we think about it a little bit and try to get an idea of what we're looking for? Like, what should the building try to inspire? Do we aim for pure beauty? Or do we want people to feel awe when they look at it? Or, we could make it look serious and dignified, like a university building or institute. Should it feel sombre or friendly?
By the way, do you guys like building statuary? I love it...

[Ruvinka]

A long time ago I promised a revisited image of the exterior of the ERC.
I am so sorry I have not been able to complete it yet. I got really quite sick and then had to leave home for a family emergency. Now that I am home again I can get back to fulfilling my promises.
I'll get back to working on this durring the next week.

[pappou]

Poor Ruvinka. Jennifer told us how sick you have been.
Its chicken soup time for you. With that and few good Jewish prayers, you will be back up and running in no time.

[Jennifer_P]

Like, what should the building try to inspire?

Well, since I seem to be the only one with an opinion...
I think the building should be beautiful first, dignified next, and friendly last. Big, but not imposing like the Gahreesen buildings. Something--if I may borrow a phrase from Justin--cozier. So, if pressed I would sacrifice friendliness for the sake of dignity and dignity for the sake of loveliness.

Next question:
What is the land around the ERC like? I recall from MB's pic that it was sloping downwards, and we know that it terminates at a cliff with a view of the valley at the bottom. So what's uphill of the museum? More jungle? A cliff? More jungle, then a cliff? Or is the museum at the top of the hill? Keep in mind as well that we'll need a pretty landscape for the people up on the top balcony to view...

[Lade'e]

Some possible inspiration:

http://www.hybridadobe.com/design_gallery/photos.html
http://blog.sellsiusrealestate.com/resi ... hship3jpg/

[ametist]

Next question:
What is the land around the ERC like? I recall from MB's pic that it was sloping downwards, and we know that it terminates at a cliff with a view of the valley at the bottom. So what's uphill of the museum? More jungle? A cliff? More jungle, then a cliff? Or is the museum at the top of the hill? Keep in mind as well that we'll need a pretty landscape for the people up on the top balcony to view...

My two cents:
What about a broader cliff with a waterfall coming down? Would be nice with the sound of water and refreshing too And you have drawed something that's alike rivers at the bottom of the valley? Then you can have a little stream leading in to the Japanese garden behind the house( that's because I don't think a formal Japanese garden would fit in this place, it's a JUNGLE . )

[Lontahv]

How about a nice partly dug-down building? It would have a nice cool basement feel, but would still have nice lighting. I like the feel when you walk down a couple stairs and you feel the nice cool coming from the ground/stone. This would be particularly nice if it was warm outside.

~Lontahv

[Jennifer_P]

Ooh, wow, very cool Lade'e--I'm especially admiring the doorways and railings that were shown in the first picture. We must find a way to incorporate those... Thanks for sharing that.

My two cents:
What about a broader cliff with a waterfall coming down? Would be nice with the sound of water and refreshing too And you have drawed something that's alike rivers at the bottom of the valley? Then you can have a little stream leading in to the Japanese garden behind the house( that's because I don't think a formal Japanese garden would fit in this place, it's a JUNGLE . )

Hey, I'd go for a waterfall. Then we could make ponds, fountains, canals, and all sorts of goodies--even hydroelectric power (although that would have to be away from the main building, out of sight or it would uglify the scenery). Anyone else want a waterfall, or...?
As for whether the Japanese garden should go into the back yard...Well, firstly, we can't really just let the jungle grow up around right around the foot of the museum--it would be a fire hazard. A building in a forest needs a fire break around it to protect it from forest fires, and since we might as well fill that empty space with something, why not a garden and statuary display area? /shrug At any rate, Japanese gardens are often more about idealized nature than formality, as you can see in these pictures...

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How about a nice partly dug-down building? It would have a nice cool basement feel, but would still have nice lighting. I like the feel when you walk down a couple stairs and you feel the nice cool coming from the ground/stone. This would be particularly nice if it was warm outside.

Y'know, this would be perfect if we were allowed to do an explorer-created work-in-the-D'ni-style exhibit (I asked about that in the FCAL, but no response yet, alas). In fact, one of the (many) early concepts of the ERC had the player starting off in an underground setting:
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5981/granddnientrywayrv4.jpg
"Ava Cormac is standing on a raised ledge over the imported lakewater; the path bridges over the water and hops across a series of small islands, then twists into a spiral staircase that leads to a fenced-in ledge and the art displays and the beginning of the great stairs..."

[Lontahv]

But if it was a modern building and it was just a little dug down (two feet maybe) that would be too D'ni, and it would be kind of D'ni at the same time.

Do what you think will be best, I'm sure it'll turn out great.

~Lontahv

[ABguy]

I'd really like to help you guys with this... Im feeling that I could develope some concept pieces for this but Im not sure what it is you guys need or want depicted. So... I figure if you need some help let me know and I can maybe come up with something that you can use