Sofia Sergiou
Structure within strata
When investigating my site, a particularly interesting element was its geological history. Due to the particular soil present, Oxford Clay, there was an abundance of extremely well-preserved fossils on the site, in particular a 150-million-year-old Cephalopod, a squid of sorts from the Jurassic period. This project aims to map and embody the natural past of the site, adding to its history and letting the geology and landscape guide the placement of design of the scheme, using the geology the benefit the fauna and floras. The excavated fossils led me to explore related species, which lead to Mollusca, in particular snails. The scheme aimed to aid the critically endangered Greater Bermuda Land snail, an overlooked species that was recently rescued from the brink of extinction. Continuing with the idea of a pest of sorts regarding the snails, this led me to choose brambles as my orchard fruit, a species seen as a weed. This made blackberry wine which was aged with ancient methods underground in clay pots, almost aged and treated like fossils themselves.
When investigating my site, a particularly interesting element was its geological history. Due to the particular soil present, Oxford Clay, there was an abundance of extremely well-preserved fossils on the site, in particular a 150-million-year-old Cephalopod, a squid of sorts from the Jurassic period. This project aims to map and embody the natural past of the site, adding to its history and letting the geology and landscape guide the placement of design of the scheme, using the geology the benefit the fauna and floras. The excavated fossils led me to explore related species, which lead to Mollusca, in particular snails. The scheme aimed to aid the critically endangered Greater Bermuda Land snail, an overlooked species that was recently rescued from the brink of extinction. Continuing with the idea of a pest of sorts regarding the snails, this led me to choose brambles as my orchard fruit, a species seen as a weed. This made blackberry wine which was aged with ancient methods underground in clay pots, almost aged and treated like fossils themselves.
Metamorphosis
When selecting a circus for this project, I selected an act within Cirkus Cirkos, which involved an all-female cast. I was immediately intrigued by the dresses in their performance, the way they flowed, matching the bold movements. The main building structure was directly inspired by these lightweight forms, composed in slightly different positions, signifying the movement of the performers. The site I selected, Château de Chenonceau, also had a rich female history to match these themes.
When selecting a circus for this project, I selected an act within Cirkus Cirkos, which involved an all-female cast. I was immediately intrigued by the dresses in their performance, the way they flowed, matching the bold movements. The main building structure was directly inspired by these lightweight forms, composed in slightly different positions, signifying the movement of the performers. The site I selected, Château de Chenonceau, also had a rich female history to match these themes.
