Friday, October 07, 2005

Lo Lo Accessories

[Images Redacted]

The sim of Miramare is described in the SL History Wiki as having a "futuristic theme to it". In this case perhaps it is the lack of heavy, historicist stylings prevalent in the adjacent city sims that is by default being interpreted as 'futuristic.' Unfortunately this term has the potential to come off as somewhat dismissive, suggesting yet another set of formal trappings ala Spacely Space Sprockets.

Lo Lo Accessories in Miramare Plaza (Miramare 27,39 with an identical clone in Janus 144,229) at first glance seems to be one of the definitive builds contributing to this forward-looking moniker, but upon closer inspection moves beyond mere formalism to create a spatial experience that easily shatters any stereotype implied by the term.

This iconic build reinterprets the 'pod on a stick' with the wrapping and stretching of a single modulated surface (accentuated by virtue of being elevated on four legs) to envelope a breezy space within that one feels compelled to enter and explore. In addition to the openness and articulation of the volume, the relatively small, easily digestible size of the build is also an inducement to browse upon the wares. That said, the display of the merchandise itself as a collection of flat planes does not feel as integrated into the concept as it could otherwise be. This circumstance is mitigated somewhat by use of a black color on the interior surface, however in addition to making the merchandise stand out this also makes the wall surface ambiguous and much more difficult to ascertain when compared to the panelized exterior.

There might also be some debate with regard to the siting of this build. It is interesting to note that the wider of the two ends is actually less accessible than the narrow end, and it is this narrow end that was chosen to address the public walkway in the Plaza. The result of this seemingly inverted logic however, is an effective entry condition that (unlike some of the high-heeled footwear featured within) is easy to slip into.

7 Comments:

At 10/10/2005 11:03 AM, Blogger Craig Perko said...

Nice. Have you thought about having the architect who built it try a few simple differences in a sandbox? For example, what would you suggest the interior be?

 
At 10/10/2005 8:46 PM, Blogger Chip Poutine said...

Hi Craig,

I have attempted to review the builds in situ, with the same amount of prior information as the casual player, that being in most cases none.

Architects who wish to comment on the review and/or share some of the original ideas behind the build are fully welcomed, and if they were willing to develop some of their ideas further as a result of our dialogue there would be certainly be opportunities for follow-up postings.

It would also be interesting if a permission level existed that would allow others to modify a copy of an object with the original builder maintaining ownership, effectively allowing for the build to be 'remixed' without requiring that the original build be given away or tediously duplicated for the purposes of exploration.

For example, in this build, it might be fruitful to compare the original build with an iteration that explores a consistent material on both on the inside and the outside, and displaying merchandise via volumes that attempt to follow the curvature.

 
At 10/11/2005 8:42 AM, Blogger Craig Perko said...

I think that's a really great idea. Too bad LL didn't think of it. The only real option now is to either not do anything, or have him work with you to do the variations.

 
At 10/18/2005 1:41 PM, Blogger ▓▒░ TORLEY ░▒▓ said...

Chip, your blog is coming along so cleanly! The lines are so fine and I've enjoyed following around... hearing your takes on builds I'm familiar with and the ones I've not yet been to.

Are you familiar with Cottonteil Muromachi? She has some thingies you might like! Most aren't at a fixed venue but she may rez for your enjoyment.

Cheerio! :D

 
At 11/02/2005 2:10 PM, Blogger jauani said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At 11/02/2005 2:11 PM, Blogger jauani said...

Hi Chip,

First, I'd like to say this blog is an amazing and long needed supplement to our second lives. :)

The LoLo Boutique is a product of my casual inquiries in creating form and volume with surface within the Second Life tool set in the absence of nurbz.

These experiments lend easily to co-optation for commercial uses in Secondlife because they make iconic structures that stand out from the norm.

The inner surface was initially a continuous grid with the floor you see in the pictures of the boutique. Two circumstances lead to the current obfuscation of the form: the clients hesitation to present the displays along a curved surface and, as you identified, the necessity to clearly distinguish the merchandise. Your critique has caused refletion, and I may go back and attempt a few more experiments to see if i can find a better solution.

The original siting was at the top of the North end of the Plaza, with the compressed end serving as an unimposing entrance and the taller end looking over the river. The client resited the building to be in line with her twin shopping tower traffic.

The building looks much nicer with shiney on. If your video card can handle it, a lot of SL looks much better with shiney.

 
At 12/28/2005 6:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jauani created this amazing build for me. It is absolutely my fault that the contents do not flow well with the curves of the build. I wish someone would have mentioned this to me before. The boutique is still in Miramare, but is now where it was meant to be, on the water. The Janus copy no longer exists. I will work on making the contents look as if they belong. Please visit again.

~ Lo Lo

 

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