This Virtual Model of the Forbidden City Will Blow Your Mind
By Matthew Bossons
An
aspiring 22-year-old architect in the Guangdong city of Zhuhai has
created an awe-inducing recreation of an iconic Beijing landmark: the
Forbidden City.
Forgoing classic model-building materials, like
popsicle sticks and paper mache, this replica was crafted in the digital
world of Minecraft, a video game that allows players to create
constructions out of 3D cubes.
The virtual rendition of what is
perhaps China’s most famous palace projects out over a square grid of
100 million colored blocks, with each building’s exterior a match to its
real life counterpart.
Check out the impressive digital Forbidden City below (VPN off):
https://v.qq.com/txp/iframe/player.html?vid=h0184d0u8xg&width=500&height=375&auto=0
The
virtual venture was completed by volunteers, who began their enormous
project back in 2013. Su Yijun, the architecturally gifted 22-year-old
mentioned above, joined the team in 2014, before becoming “the project’s
chief organizer,” according to Sixth Tone.
Su took time to
research traditional Chinese architecture to make sure the team was able
to accurately display the massive Forbidden City complex. He even
visited the popular tourist destination in person to note real-life
specifics that he couldn’t ascertain elsewhere.
“Through this, I
hope to impart some knowledge about architectural aesthetics,” Su told
Sixth Tone, “and share my thoughts on architectural design.”
Su’s team plans to unveil an extended video of their project sometime later this year.
[Cover image via Sixth Tone]
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