Cthulhoid Architecture ?

[rust]

Currently I am searching for ideas for the architecture of an aquatic alien ra-

ce, preferably some kind of bizarre organic-looking curved style without any

right angles ...

This reminded me of the sketch of parts of R'lyeh in the Call of Cthulhu sup-

plement "Shadows of Yog-Sothoth", and perhaps one of you might have an

idea where to look for similar material ?

Thank you !

[seneschal]

Are you looking for existing pictures? Or design ideas? If the latter, I'd envision a globe-shaped structure whose entrance could be located on the top or bottom rather than on the side (since the inhabitants swim in without having to fight gravity). There might be terraces or shelves along the walls of the globe for sleeping or storage, sort of a modular nook approach, with a large open central area.

Details could vary a lot, depending on how the place was lit and heated/cooled OR whether the place was lit or temperature controlled at all. I envision a translucent glassy structure, possibly warmed and powered by undersea geothermal vents. It would be like a giant blown glass bubble rather than a structure of plates and portholes like surface dwellers might build. There'd be a system for keeping water flowing through the structure to keep things oxygenated.

What do you think?

[rust]

Thank you very much for the interesting idea !

Currently I think the aliens will have three different architectural Styles: An

archaic style for the oldest parts of their cities, another style for their modern

buildings, and a very functional style for their technical infrastructure.

The archaic style will probably look like a mixture of Gaudi and Giger, but less

colorful than Gaudi's buildings (these aliens cannot perceive colors) and less

threatening than Giger's artwork for the first Alien movie.

The design you proposed would fit extremely well for the aliens' modern style,

I think. If I did understand your description, the interior could look somewhat

like the interior of one of those old baroque theaters, with rows of boxes or

shelves around the interior wall, but made of a translucent glass-like material

- sounds fascinating.

[Dredj]

Thank you very much for the interesting idea !

Currently I think the aliens will have three different architectural Styles: An

archaic style for the oldest parts of their cities, another style for their modern

buildings, and a very functional style for their technical infrastructure.

The archaic style will probably look like a mixture of Gaudi and Giger, but less

colorful than Gaudi's buildings (these aliens cannot perceive colors) and less

threatening than Giger's artwork for the first Alien movie.

The design you proposed would fit extremely well for the aliens' modern style,

I think. If I did understand your description, the interior could look somewhat

like the interior of one of those old baroque theaters, with rows of boxes or

shelves around the interior wall, but made of a translucent glass-like material

- sounds fascinating.

You could watch Star Wars Episode 1 (if you can stand Jar Jar Binks long enough) and notice how the outsides of the Gungan buildings look. If I remember right, Jar Jar and the Jedis had to swim into the building where they met with the Gungan leader.

As far as interior is concerned, I don't really know what you could find. Hopefully this was at least a little help.

[rust]

Thank you very much for the idea, I will try to see the movie and do some

research on the Internet ("Wookieepedia" etc.) to see whether I can find

some pictures.

[Pyronnic]

Perhaps you could take some inspiration from naturally occurring under-water features like coral reefs.

[rust]

Yep, also very interesting idea - Thank you !

[Dredj]

This is for humans, but it might be somewhat helpful.

Underwater Habitats - Trilobis 65 Floating Home

[Dredj]

Manual for micro dwellings

This is another idea that is proposed for human dwelling in/on water that could work for an alien species.

[rust]

Thank you very much for the fascinating and very helpful links !

Edit: The Sub-Find webpage is a real treasure trove for my water world setting - thank you again !

[sladethesniper]

Since 3-d space could be be much more efficiently utilized underwater, there might be some sort of layered appearance to interior structures, and if the aliens are travelling horzontally much the time, it might give the visual impression that the city appeared somewhat porous as there could be multiple openings to different areas of dwellings and sections of architecture.

This might have cities "growing" vertically at the same rate as they grow horizontally.

Just a thought.

-STS

[rust]

Yep, a good idea - thank you !

[Dredj]

This might also be helpful:

Amazon.com: The Science of Aliens: Clifford A. Pickover,Clifford Pickover: Books

[rust]

Thank you again for a good idea !

[Dredj]

So, how's the game/setting coming along? Haven't heard anything about it in awhile.