Initiatives / Experiments / Visions
Protecting Paradise
Project description
‘We are all neighbours now. In our cities, we rub shoulders with strangers from every country, culture and faith,’ cautions the author of 'Free Speech' (2006), a compelling and witty book I surveyed for this project entitled 'Protecting Paradise: The Embassy of Environmental Philanthropy.' Inspired by the 16th century Chinese classical novel 'The Monkey King' where heroes fight to protect the heavens, the project demonstrates how peace, equality and freedom prove to be democratic design tools that can protect Paradise - the most extensive rainforest of Central America. Protecting Paradise: The Embassy of Environmental Philanthropy draws upon a diplomatic and bilateral economic agreement that cultivates environmental protection, ethical authority, and political trust between China and the small Central American country of Nicaragua, with the advent of the 21st century Maritime Silk Route extension. This project brings forward a discourse on foreign investments in underdeveloped countries as well as a demonstration of environmental awareness and protection practices, bringing together tourists and locals in an environment governed by five principles of peaceful coexistence. The vision master plan serves as a spatial investigation on how friendship, peace, equality, tranquillity and freedom are employed at different scales when dealing with diverse conditions of nature protection and conservation of the Paradise. The extensive operation of canal-digging involves the new valuation of what is to be deforested and how extracted earth and deforested woodland are managed while making space for sustainable human programs and functions that serve as proactive means to protect the natural environment. Architectural drawing is used to investigate relationships between vernacular traditional construction and technological advancements within Central America: the colour palette is coming from Central America, the formation of an oblique drawing that you scan top to bottom, not Italian Renaissance single point perspective where you situate one observer, but instead something that you move through. I find that really provocative socially. I often find myself intrigued by the political and social that comes through the provocation of representation that is not literally laid onto me reiterating things I know but making me question assumptions that I hold.
Author's presentation text
Victor Moldoveanu is an energetic creative professional interested in interdisciplinary research and design concerning the future of our built environment. His extensive travels to South America and North Africa have also had a significant influence over his professional discourse, which he does with diligence, dedication and an enthusiastic heart. Victor is also the recipient of the KRob Award for excellence in digital and hybrid media presented by the American Institute of Architects and the Bronze Award presented by Japan Illustrators Association. In 2019 his work was acquired for the Passion to Perform Permanent Collection and the JIA 100 Most Attractive Illustrators of the World. Victor is a registered architect in Romania, Denmark and the UK and a registered illustrator in Japan and has engaged globally in pioneering research activities and innovative design practices with leading urban design thinkers Alejandro Aravena Elemental, CJ Lim Studio 8 Architects and Foster + Partners.
