3 Things I'd Like to See In Worldbuilding More: Architecture
Jaali
[Image Description. Three geometrically patterns Jaali windows. The central one has a open window in the middle of it. End ID.]
Jaali, or the jali are latticed screens, decorations, and windows that are a well known facet of Indian architecture, and found in Indo-Islamic architecture in general.
They have prominent detailed geometric patterns, sometimes with natural influences, and details with calligraphy. Jaali are beautiful, and come in so many shapes and sizes that simply describing them isn't enough to get a good picture of the thousands of designs and forms jaali take.
Jaali provide shade, privacy, and passive ventilation. They minimize sunlight and rain coming in, and the holes, through the venturi effect, cool the air coming through, and allow proper airflow out as well. Since the holes are about the same width and size as the structure of the jaali they are also sturdy and structurally sound.
Jaali aren't always open either. They can be used as ornate detailing, and can have religious and cultural connections, much like how the real world jaali were important to various faiths, including Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism.
I'm personally just a huge fan of their soft lighting.
Jali from the Tomb of Salim Chishti
Tree based Jali from the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque in Ahmedebad
Jali from the Red Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Non-Western Architectural Terracotta
[Image Description. The Latta Mosque in Nazir Khani, India. It's bricks and terracotta are a vibrant and aged orange color. The outside is detailed with calligraphy, carvings, and layers. Modern glass windows replace where once ancient windows sat. End ID.]
Terracotta is a staple of the world. Many could recognize it's use in architecture, especially in the west, such as in the Bell Edison Telephone Building of Birmingham, England, or the Natural History Museum in London.
To this day terracotta continues to be used worldwide in various projects from decor, dishware, and still, construction. But why?
Terracotta is any mix of clay and water. Due to how clay forms it can be found everywhere in the world, most people probably live near a clay deposit and have no idea. It's so malleable when wet that it makes easy sculpting and constructing material, and when mixed with water then dried/heated, it provides strong brick. It's use goes back to ancient times in cultures of all sorts.
[Image Description. African-American and Italian clay miners circa 1910. End ID.]
It also provides unique colors, even when unglazed.
Since Terracotta is so widespread, seeing its use from nation to nation reveals little artistic touches from culture to culture. From the giant terracotta house of Mexico, to the curling columns of Greece, and the sun-dried clay of African villages. There's so much to explore in clay architecture worldwide, but I wish would see more of it that wasn't based on Western cathedrals, Greek city halls, or Post-Modern brick buildings.
Terracotta Casa by Octavio Mendoza, in Villa de Leyva, Mexico
Yurts, tipis, and other traditional tents and portable dwellings
[Image Description. A red wooden frame of an Bentwood style Yurt used by the Karakalpak in Uzbekistan. It has short wooden double-doors, and the side is designed with weaving wooden slits. It has a clay platform as its foundations. End ID.]
Many indigenous groups around the world rely on a some form of lodging tent as their shelter from the elements, especially those that are nomadic, and live in large plains and steppes. In each of these kind of tents we see are unique in their own shape and features.
I'm tired of people (white people especially) pretending that nomadic lifestyles, and tents in general are some kind of torturous way to live, meanwhile trailers are okay though? No it's not everyone preference, but the utility of lodging tents is far underplayed.
Take for instance the tipi, a lodging tent used among various Native American tribes (and incorrectly stereotyped to be used by all Native Americans ever). Tipis are sturdy! And especially practical for nomadic peoples, as it's easy to pack up and then rebuild somewhere else. They fair against the rain, are cool for the summer, and stay warm enough for the winter.
Tents tend to also mean camps. While mansions, and palaces can serve for one large family to all hole up in, tents well serve a community-based culture, with families and communities gathering in encampments instead.
Anyway you're nomads should actually be nomads by the way
Sioux Style tipis that have been modernized for events and rentings
I have reblogged this post on previous Wednesdays without adding anything to it, but I figured to respect the artist it might be a good idea to add a link to the source of the photo.
Anyway, Happy Mama Mia It's-A Wednesday Wrong Fucking Image Wednesday once again.
well i don't think i'll be able to squeeze in another completed piece this year, so i think it's time to make a 2025 summary. i think i'd been too busy to draw as much as i wanted to, but im played so many wonderful games which inspired me so much. i've still got so many to play *siiiigghh* to another year of landscapes and emotionally destroying endings
I'll throw in the wonderful Eizin Suzuki into this ring too, a man whose work just breathes light without actually using dynamic lighting in the usual way. It's no surprise both Nagai and Suzuki are both considered prolific in art pertaining to the city pop genre because they're able to paint these kinds of scenes with a delicate touch.
This feels like I could trip on that radio and fall right into that water, feeling the crystal waves as I drop in.
And this, a nice stroll down a resort strip, where my sunscreened skin could literally feel cooked if I leaned too close to the tiling.
And then a nice stretch of summer street, wherein you could see your face in the flushed red of that car provided it didn't blind you from its sunny reflections.
I don't think I even need to say anything more, Suzuki's a massive influence in how he even places colours so warmly in such unorthodox manner. It's a naturally sunkissed talent~ 🌊
