NationStates Jolt Archive


WoS to raise entire new city! (Architects etc welcome)

Walmington on Sea
05-10-2003, 22:36
(ooc:I'm not sure what inspired this, or where I'm going with it, I was just considering that most of what Walmington does at the moment is dictated by one war or another (excepting a diamond hunt, but that involves only two Walmingtonians, and rather more than that number of guns).
Basicially, if anyone feels inclined, their nation may have members of the press on hand at the conference to ask questions. After that, companies or free-lance designers and such may propose designs related to projects outlined at by the government.
Important note: Walmington on Sea is a nation at 1940s tech level. Though your technologies, should you be interested in building anything, and win approval to do so, may be much more advanced, the aesthetic of the period will have to be considered. We want grandure in the old European sense, and perhaps will accept flavour from the empire (west Africa, southern Africa, Sri Lanka. An aluminuim spiral four miles tall will win you a lot of blank expressions, some pity, but no contract, heh.))

Government Press Room, Great Walmington, Walmington on Sea

Several Civil Servants, members of the Cabinet, and other government officials, including Prime Minister George Mainwaring himself, were gathered on a low stage. Before them perhaps a score members of the national (and perhaps international) press listened to an announcement. The government, responding to unexpected population growth (boosted by immigration from the empire resulting from the war against the forces of the Axis and Chiang Mai), intended to raise a brand new city from the green fields of Walmington on Sea.

"This city" said a Lord Dover, a government spokesman "will be one of the finest on earth; a fitting testament to the splendor of the empire in this, His Majesty King Godfrey III's fortieth year as king."

The chosen site for this new city was announced; an island on the river Burr delta, on the Burnhampshire/Southshire boundary on Walmington's east coast.

"Barton Kelly, North Eastern Tribune. Is it wise, our shrewd readers will want to know, for the nation to embark on such an engineering feat on the east coast at this time... given the situation on the continent?"

The floor had been opened up to questions. After a pause of a few seconds in which Mr.Kelly received no answer from the stage, where Lord Dover and others in attendance were shifting and glancing at one another, their eyes seeming to ask "is he suggesting..", the reporter confirmed that yes, he was..

"..I mean..is it in the nation's interests to commit such resources to..so vulnerable a location?"

The PM stood up at this point and raising his right hand in some indignation said "Now look here!.." And then moving up to the podium and its microphone, he started again. "This nation's.." He tapped on the mic "..This nation's interests are in the great people of Walmington on Sea, and the island is going to be bombed by Jerry, the Walmingtonian people are going to be here regardless of the location of the nation's latest cathedral. This project makes a bold statement, and it is the same one we've been making since Graf Spee attacked the Queen Jessica: Life goes on in Walmington!"

The conference continued, revieling Walmington's intentions in more detail.
There would be a large city laid out, bounds defined by the river, in a more orderly fashion than most Walmingtonian towns. An extension of the south coast and Minor-Kenilworth rail lines would be laid for the city, and would require a major station. An underground line was planned for the city, and was supposed to pass under the river, joining the two islands.
There would be a significant embassy district, a commercial harbour, and on the south island (there are two in the delta, as depicted on the map below) there would be a civil airport- Walmington's first dedicated non-military aviation facility.
Other key features would be at least one, but more likely a number of grand parks, a public baths, major theatres and cinematic-display houses, and a grand cathedral serving the Church of Walmington, and the island's Protestant majority.
The city will also feature, it is hoped, some of the tallest buildings in the nation. Great Walmington wanted to build high-rise retail buildings, as well as corporate towers, office blocks, and middle class apartment block housing.

A summary of major construction projects ahead (feel free to offer designs or suggestions)-

1)At least four major road bridges
2)At least two rail bridges
3)An underground rail network, including at least on tunnel below a river
4)At least one grand train station (above ground)
5)A grand and vast Protestant (Church of Walmington) catherdral
6)A grand theatre
7)Lesser theatres
8)Cinematic-display houses (we only deal in black and white, mind!)
9)An international airport
10)A commercial harbour
11)"Skyscrapers" which must look as close as possible to being at home in a 1940s society
12)At least one park, which will feature a maze, fountain, any number of statues, and so forth
13)An electric tram network
14)Grand public bath houses
15)Who knows what else?

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-9/394362/Walmingtonmap.jpg
Walmington on Sea- the proposed site lies just east of the word "Burnhampshire"
Agrigento
05-10-2003, 22:45
The Architecture firm of Aligliero, Dontello and Freddino is very interested in this project.
Walmington on Sea
05-10-2003, 22:55
(And hey, if we raise some Italian-inspired architecture, maybe Ercolana will be less inclined to bomb us! :)

Oh, I forgot to add- there probably ought to be sporting facilities. Cricket, rugby, football (of course if anyone wants to design an especially splendid crown green bowls ground..))
Agrigento
05-10-2003, 22:58
A concept design of the cities streets was drawn up by Stefano Dontello, of the firm. This drawing was then placed inside a portfoglio of perspective designs as well as other concept art of various structures.

http://raph.com/3dartists/artgallery/stephane1.jpg

((Basically the cover page of the portfoglio))
Agrigento
05-10-2003, 23:03
Page 2: Concept Art of Harbor Town

http://raph.com/3dartists/artgallery/michael_dalton-smith1.jpg

By Stefano Dontello
Agrigento
05-10-2003, 23:05
Page 3: Inside The Cathedral

http://raph.com/3dartists/artgallery/yang_yongliang1.jpg

By Stefano Dontello
Walmington on Sea
05-10-2003, 23:10
Regarding the portfolio's cover, Lord Dover (who would continue to be a major voice through the project's life) and his collegues almost felt ill picturing themselves looking up at the mighty towers.

"It certainly would be impressive.. assuming its possible to stack bricks that high!" Said one official, to a number of chuckles.

Buildings along the lines of those moderately large -but still huge by Walmingtonian standards- structures in the foreground of the cover especially seemed appealing to the panel. They could probably retain a lot of the nation's European design heritage whilst still representing a step forward compared to the corner shops and terraced houses that dominated the old towns.
United Elias
05-10-2003, 23:23
Not impossible for the 40s Empire State was built in the 30s.
Walmington on Sea
05-10-2003, 23:26
(Quite, but the tallest buildings most Walmingtonians have seen are stone light houses or village churches. . . we don't get along terribly well with the USA, PM Mainwaring recently called it an "over-grown pirates'-nest", and drunkenly threatened to cease the Panama Canal.. :) )
United Elias
05-10-2003, 23:32
concept for main railway station (ignore the flags :wink: )

http://www.ldparch.com/images/UstaWashington-1.jpeg

Ministry of Infrastructure

Does it matter we are a modern nation?
Walmington on Sea
05-10-2003, 23:40
It does not matter that you are a modern state- if I held out for same-tech states I'd have to badger Iansisle to build the whole country for me, or else ask the kind nations with which we are at war..in fact we're desperately trying to stop them from having a say in the way the country looks :)

edit:just so long as the buildings end up looking the part for a nation some way in your past, if that makes sense. You can use more advanced building methods than we would, once it comes down to it, as long as the building doesn't scare our people too much ;)

I probably won't confirm any proposals to-night, because I want to see how much interest this generates over maybe a couple of days, but the nations that've been so quick to respond are of course better placed in the eyes of reviewers when it comes to decision time. We'll almost certainly invite Aligliero, Dontello and Freddino to erect at least some high-rises, for example. The rest depends on competition.

And thanks to those who're already showing interest in the development of Walmington!
Walmington on Sea
06-10-2003, 17:02
(May as well give it a leg-up)
06-10-2003, 17:10
I like buildings to be made out of a lot of glass.

It makes them look modern, sophisticated.
Walmington on Sea
06-10-2003, 17:23
"I believe, sir, that we seek an entirely different manner of 'sohpistication'."

-Lord Dover.
Walmington on Sea
07-10-2003, 16:10
The panel commissioned with over-seeing the raising of the as yet nameless city is still open to designs and suggestions regarding:

1)At least four major road bridges
2)At least two rail bridges
3)An underground rail network, including at least on tunnel below a river
4)At least one grand train station (above ground)
5)A grand and vast Protestant (Church of Walmington) catherdral
6)A grand theatre
7)Lesser theatres
8)Cinematic-display houses (we only deal in black and white, mind!)
9)An international airport
10)A commercial harbour
11)"Skyscrapers" which must look as close as possible to being at home in a 1940s society
12)At least one park, which will feature a maze, fountain, any number of statues, and so forth
13)An electric tram network
14)Grand public bath houses
15)Sports stadia to accept domestic cricket, rugby, football, and other sports, as well as potentially international contests and athletic events.
16)Who knows what else?
07-10-2003, 16:18
International Airport:

http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/degaulle/images/2_charles_de_gaulle_airport.jpg
http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/piarco/images/roof_2.jpg
http://home.planet.nl/~b.van.wijnen/klia3.jpg
http://www.dupont.com/safetyglass/lgn/stories/images/1611.jpg

Sports Stadium:

http://www.utoledo.edu/images/campus-map/gb.gif

Road Bridges:

http://www.utexas.edu/inside_ut/postcards/graphics/large/austin/loop-360-bridge.jpg
http://idol.union.edu/~ferrerf/project/image011.jpg

Anything you like?
Walmington on Sea
07-10-2003, 17:33
While the airport looks a touch too..modern for Walmington on Sea, the stadium would likely not seem so out of place, and that offering has been shortlisted by the panel, as have both of the bridges.

(I think the four+ road and 2 rail bridges we're looking to build could be some of the grandest elements. Walmington really wants to make a statement with this city, and lies about half way between Britain and the US- our bridges look petty in comparrison.
..Then of course there's the cathedral..that's going to have to be impressive.)
Walmington on Sea
09-10-2003, 19:12
[bump]

(Yeah, WoS moves at a slow pace and isn't in a great hurry to make its decisions, heh. Get used to it :) )
09-10-2003, 19:16
Train Station (I really like it):

http://www.smarttinc.com/Model-photos/RR-photos-ALL/Boynton-layout/GSext4.jpg
09-10-2003, 19:46
Airport:

http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/images/Feature0041_13x.jpg
Walmington on Sea
09-10-2003, 20:02
That does look quite promising, agreed the panel on observing the train-station model.

Lord Dover extended an invitation to Freedom Country designers and planners to visit the area, and to experience the existing rail network in the rest of Walmington.

It is thought likely that the model shown would have to represent just part of the final station (ie. we would probably need several such structures joined side by side, if that makes sense? The image looks okay in my head.)

The airport terminal also appeared interesting, though the eagle-like figure would probably have to be replaced with perhaps a gull (Walmington's national bird) in light of Nazi associations during this time of war.

All elements of the city's construction remain open to external bids, or input. If there are no new designs for train stations, it is thought likely that Freedom Country's contractors will be allowed to begin work in coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Aligliero, Dontello and Freddino of Agrigento are expected to be told that they have been awarded planning permission for a number of high-rise buildings.