The Archi-Cult

Team: Kristian Greif, Morna Hu, Pal Parekh, Marnie Henderson, Ognen Slavkovski, Kate Donaldson,

The Archi-Cult explores the constraints and intrinsic relational senses of a vertical neighbourhood through a satirical architecture-themed cult. The community was constructed from six precedent volumes and rigorously adapted to the distinct narrative and selected site of a dramatic, cavernous cliffside. The monumental, quasi-brutalist and stratified result evokes the mysterious programs of each residential and public space, as well as being indicative of the community’s ultimate goal to spread architectural purity in the name of The Architect (Cult Leader) - who shall remain anonymous.

Members are recruited as students of a design ‘school’, only to be brainwashed and exploited by ‘The Architect’ and his five fellow cult leaders. Each leader oversees a different area of cult life. The Historian runs the library and propaganda cinema. The Draftsman ‘welcomes’ students through ritual purification, and runs the cult counselling space. The Site Manager operates the fabrication and material innovation labs, he simultaneously oversees food production and preparation for the community. The Intern watches over the student dormitories, and maintains the physical exploration space (fondly nicknamed the “sex dungeon”).The Engineer protects the sacred text of the cult - The Architect’s Word. He also runs the artistic and drafting studios. As the high leader, ‘The Architect’ disperses his wisdom through sermons, oversees ceremonies and rituals, as well as the community prison and graduation exam.

Welcome to the Archi-Cult! You won’t want to leave, or maybe you won’t be able to...