Oceanic Architecture

Inspired by the design timelapse videos from visual artist James White , "Oceanic Architecture" is the entire 15-hour process of The Living Seas Edition in the Epcot Architecture Series.What you will see is every step of the process, from source architectural drawings to failed attempts and all points in between as I struggle to translate its highly sculptural three-dimensional waves into a strictly 2D format.

VISTA SERIES — Electroluminescence

From its streamlined façade of 21st Century columns to the rounded forms of its entrances, the CommuniCore Vista pays tribute to the multi-level circular structures at the heart of Future World. For this edition, the arcs of CommuniCore are echoed in its light beams with a color scheme inspired by the Pavilion’s multicolored marquees. 

Designer’s Note: This edition features the debut of the CommuniCore Pavilion Line-Art including a Fountain of Nations with water jets depicting a familiar outline. 

Vista Series - Orbits of Light

From its dramatic curvilinear structure to its massive planetary forms, Mission: Space Vista pays tribute to one of the most intense and realistic depictions of space flight ever created. For this edition, Planetary Plaza’s abstract orbital paths serve as the inspiration for the trajectory of the series’ signature light rays that lead from the outermost edges of space to the International Space Training Center.

Designer’s Note: This edition features the debut of several assets uniquely created for multiple E82 Projects including Pavilion Line Art , a Norm Inouye-esque Logo for the pavilion and a realigned/corrected version of Space Logotype.     

Vista Series - Bioluminescence

From its remarkably complex curvilinear exterior to its “incredible voyage of the discovery”, The Living Seas Vista pays tribute to the architecture and effects of what was once “the world’s sixth largest ocean”.  For this edition, defused light rays and water caustics symbolize the remarkable journey from the surface to the depths that welcome us to Sea Base Alpha. 

Designer’s Note: After almost a year hiatus, The Vista Series returns with what will probably be the single most complex line-art for all of Epcot’s 22 pavilions. The Living Seas architecture (just like all other original pavilions) abstractly conveys the theme of the pavilion. In this case, it appears to be constructed entirely of waves frozen into a state of structural rigidity — no easy task for any architect. Nor was it easy for to translate its highly sculptural three-dimensional forms into a strictly 2D format. This process that was especially difficult when one considers that all components of its design flow seamlessly into each other making it particularly challenging to complete a single shape without first considering all others.
Although the structure rightly received most of its accolades for its interior engineering, the exterior is no less impressive and after this experience I have even more respect for the designers and architects at WDI and Montgomery Watson for what they were able to achieve nearly 30 years ago.

ID4 @ E82

For those of you new to E82, we pause our regularly scheduled projects and posts to celebrate only two holidays - or more accurately birthdays. The Birth of Jesus, whose life is a testament to the concepts of Peace, Love, Compassion, Understanding and Freedom and the Birth of our “Host Nation”, which was founded on the additional principles of unity, diversity, and democracy. Both of these events make a place like Epcot possible! In tribute to US Independence Day, E82 News Page is now fully decorated for The 4th for the first time. If you’ll like join the digital festivities might I suggest this abstraction of The Stars and Stripes with a certain Georgian Manor house in the foreground ;) . . .

Additionally, I’m working on a concept that should take Golden Dreams to a whole new level. So expect a Highly “Spirited” new Background in the near future!