OUGD504 - Studio Brief 01 - Initial Ideas (2)

Based on written content given by the author and further research into the architecture of Barcelona and architect, Antoni Gaudi, it was found that one common element found within such structures is parabolic arches. Examples can be seen inside the attic room of La Pedrera (Casa Mila) whereby the roof resembles both the ribs of an animal and a palm to produce unconventional shapes.

PARABOLIC ARCH
An arch shaped like a parabola. Such arches are used in bridges, cathedrals, and elsewhere in architecture and engineering.
PARABOLA
A symmetrical open plane curve formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane parallel to it's side. The path of a projectile under the influence of gravity follows a curve of this shape.

• In mathematics, a parabola is a plane curve, which is mirror-symmetrical and approximately u-shaped when oriented in a certain way.
• Involves a point (the focus) and a line (the directrix). The focus does not lie on the directrix. The parabola is the locus of points in that plane that are equidistant from both the directrix and the focus.
• Algebraic description - a parabola is a graph of a quadratic function y=x squared.

Ideas based on parabola and parabolic arches present in Gaudi's architecture could be applied to the layout of the guidebook in ways that would make the content mirror-symmetrical and u-shaped through the use of this distinctive curve. This shape of the curve could also be used consistently and continuously flowing through the publication as a singular shape which would affect the way in which the content is formatted.

CATALAN MODERNISM

The aim of this art movement was to break away from tradition and to provoke more thought than the traditional Baroque and Gothic styles of the city - associated with the search for Catalan national identity. The style consists primarily of shapes, colours and concepts inspired by nature. However, Catalan modernist literature often involves darker and more violent themes portrayed within nature and real-life.

• Physical shapes, natural light, colours and symbolism (Gaudi - inspired by the colours and shapes of forests, plants and the ocean - specific interest in frogs).
• Play on the idea of light and colour, specifically contrasts - consider the contrasts between stock choices and through the use of negative space to reflect the contrast between themes of light in nature and the darker side to nature present in Catalan modernist literature.