Reason for Horizon's shape?

[ABigBrassBand]

http://cmiradio.info/files/Horizons_bp.jpg
Always wondered this, so figured I'd get an answer here.
Was there any reason for the building shape of Horizons? It was shaped like a coffin, and I couldn't get a good picture, but above is a blueprint of the ride. If you notice, it looks exactly like a coffin. Was this an easter egg? Is it symbolic? Or is it just pure coincidence that it is ironic that it looks to the future while its shape represents death?

 

[unkadug]

I thought coffins were rectangular? At least all the ones I've seen are.

 

[ABigBrassBand]

 

[unkadug]

Ohhhh...cartoon coffins/vampire coffins...very different than most real coffins.

 

[ABigBrassBand]

Sir, they are still used.

 

[Krack]

If I had to guess, the shape was to subconsciously evoke a the feeling of getting onto a spaceship while still remaining within the original Future World '82 architectural design. If they made it "flying saucer" shaped, it would have (1) not fit as well architecturally and (2) made the feeling conscious instead of subconscious. I would liken it to the World of Motion being round on its side, instead of looking like a tire or a wagon wheel standing up.

 

[ChrisFL]

It's always looked like (the back end) of a spaceship to me...never once thought of it looking like a coffin, maybe because it's not flat on top like a coffin.

I'm guessing the form of the building probably had to follow the function of the spaces being used, if it was planned that way, but then again SSE obviously was designed with building first, then fitting the rest inside somehow

 

[muteki]

Always reminded me of Blade Runner:

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

It was a coffin the 21st centry that never made it.

 

[MarkTwain]

Architect student here. :wave:

Like most of EPCOT Center's original Future World architecture, the design of the Horizons building is delightfully modernist and abstract. Therefore, it's unlikely that the Imagineers were attempting to imitate any one object in particular... ie, a coffin or spaceship ) Occasionally architects become so absorbed in designs as they change and evolve, and become used to what a building looks like at an abstract level, that we lose sight of what our building may look like to a person who sees it for the first time, and wants to see it for something more literally.

That said, here's my take: if you look at the elevation of the building, you'll notice that the vertical/diagonal all would convene at a single, invisible point:

In drawing, we would say that this point is on a horizon line - probably not a coincidence in relationship between the form of the building and the name of the attraction. Here's a diagram of a one-point perspective, and even in this simple diagram I think you can see a similarity in concept to the form of the Horizons showbuilding:

This, then, would suggest that the building and its ridges are pointing or aligned to a distant, far-off point - a horizon. :animwink: It may also be implied that building is approaching or climbing toward this horizon, in the same way that humans are reaching for their future through progress and innovation.

This is also illustrated in the attraction's logo:

But wait, there's more. The sloped walls and lines of the Horizons building have the added effect of causing the viewer to look skyward, subconciously encouraging one to think about the sky, space, or the future (Space Mountain also masterfully uses this effect). Check out that Horizons attraction poster again, and notice what part of the image is given the most size and attention - the sky.

Finally, I think there is something to be said in the fact that the horizon line is not depicted, but only suggested architecturally, in that the vertical lines never actually convene, and the form of the building stops abruptly at a horizontal line. This may likely represent that the future of mankind is unfinished, and is still being built today.

Like I said, abstract stuff. I hope that cleared things up a little.

 

[MarkTwain]

... And I should add that some Future World pavilions are more abstract than others. Spaceship Earth, the Land, and World of Motion are more literal in their depiction of the Earth, a volcano, and a wheel, respectively, while Horizons, the Seas, and Universe of Energy are more abstract. But all are abstracted from their original elements, and all have meaning that transcends what they may be depicting.

And don't get me started on the Land pavilion...

 

[Future Guy]

It was shaped like a hexagon, because hexagons are futuristic.

 

[rodserling27]

It was shaped like a hexagon, because hexagons are futuristic.

Best explanation I've read yet!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Like I said, abstract stuff. I hope that cleared things up a little.

What an excellent explanation! Thanks for that.

At a (semi)subconscious level, I always experienced the pavilion in the manner you describe. As a non-architect, I've never been able to express it in such clear terms.



Old EPCOT Centre was a work of such unmitigated genius.

 

[Master Gracey 5]

Finally, I think there is something to be said in the fact that the horizon line is not depicted, but only suggested architecturally, in that the vertical lines never actually convene, and the form of the building stops abruptly at a horizontal line. This may likely represent that the future of mankind is unfinished, and is still being built today.

Just thinking out loud here, but it reminds me a bit of a pyramid, which everyone associates with ancient Egypt. You could say its a futuristic take on this ancient structure, which in a way ties in with what MarkTwain says about the future of mankind being unfinished, and tied to its past.

Great explanation by the way MarkTwain.

 

[jvenegas]

Architect student here. :wave:

Like most of EPCOT Center's original Future World architecture, the design of the Horizons building is delightfully modernist and abstract. Therefore, it's unlikely that the Imagineers were attempting to imitate any one object in particular... ie, a coffin or spaceship ) Occasionally architects become so absorbed in designs as they change and evolve, and become used to what a building looks like at an abstract level, that we lose sight of what our building may look like to a person who sees it for the first time, and wants to see it for something more literally.

That said, here's my take: if you look at the elevation of the building, you'll notice that the vertical/diagonal all would convene at a single, invisible point:

In drawing, we would say that this point is on a horizon line - probably not a coincidence in relationship between the form of the building and the name of the attraction. Here's a diagram of a one-point perspective, and even in this simple diagram I think you can see a similarity in concept to the form of the Horizons showbuilding:

This, then, would suggest that the building and its ridges are pointing or aligned to a distant, far-off point - a horizon. :animwink: It may also be implied that building is approaching or climbing toward this horizon, in the same way that humans are reaching for their future through progress and innovation.

This is also illustrated in the attraction's logo:

But wait, there's more. The sloped walls and lines of the Horizons building have the added effect of causing the viewer to look skyward, subconciously encouraging one to think about the sky, space, or the future (Space Mountain also masterfully uses this effect). Check out that Horizons attraction poster again, and notice what part of the image is given the most size and attention - the sky.

Finally, I think there is something to be said in the fact that the horizon line is not depicted, but only suggested architecturally, in that the vertical lines never actually convene, and the form of the building stops abruptly at a horizontal line. This may likely represent that the future of mankind is unfinished, and is still being built today.

Like I said, abstract stuff. I hope that cleared things up a little.

You'll be a great architect some day.

Great explanation!!:sohappy:

 

[BrerFrog]

Great post Mr. Twain!

As soon as I saw that picture you posted I knew the building was designed to convey the feeling of looking into the horizon (future). Not such a big achievement considering the ride's name. :lol:

 

[aubs42]

Sir, they are still used.

They are not used very much. Trust me here. I sell one maybe once a year. I mainly get requests for them for Haunted Houses around Halloween.

 

[Tiggerish]

^^^
In countries other than the United States, I believe that shape is still widely used.

Most of my family is in Ireland, and that's what I've seen there. I would prefer it to all the fancy rectangles we use here.

 

[aubs42]

^^^
In countries other than the United States, I believe that shape is still widely used.

Most of my family is in Ireland, and that's what I've seen there. I would prefer it to all the fancy rectangles we use here.

Correct there. Sorry so used to USA thing I forget about oversees.