SPQR ►
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A million bricks
Rocco Buttliere LEGO Artist • Architect • Chicagoan
seven hills
one eternal city
SQPR Landscape Project Proposal 2022
Designing To Inspire | Building A Vision Rocco Buttliere is an internationally recognized LEGO Artist with a passion for and a degree in architecture. A lifelong LEGO builder, he began his current body of work of original 1:650 scale models, titled Landmark | Landscape, in 2009. Since then, he has created more than fifty works depicting a multitude of world landmarks and geographically / historically accurate landscapes. Through his work, he strives to push the boundaries of LEGO parts usage with a particular emphasis on detail and accuracy, as well as to further the recognition of existing and long-since defunct sites of world heritage through a combination of rigorous dedication to historical context and meticulous craftsmanship rooted in a profound respect for historicity. Since finishing his studies at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Rocco has successfully adapted his artistic pursuits into a working business model, in lieu of a traditional architecture career. From his location in Chicago, he executes numerous commissioned works each year, while also exhibiting at all the BrickUniverse exhibitions as a featured artist. For more information on Rocco, feel free to browse any of the social media content listed below, as well as view his CV / portfolio on Issuu at https://issuu.com/roccobuttliere.
RoccoButtliere.com
rjbuttliere@yahoo.com +1 (847) 542-3848
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S E NAT V S
SPQR Landscape Project Proposal
Designing and building an enormous diorama of Imperial Rome
P O P V L V S QatVitsE 4th-century R O Mzenith A N VwillS serve to inspire countless children &
Thesis
adults for generations to come. It will provide endless educational value rooted in the timeless historical and architectural precedence of the Eternal City. Ambitious in its scope, such a LEGO landscape will have unrivaled potential to purvey critical lessons in world history while illustrating the Classical landmarks we all know as ruins in their pristine and richly colored provenance; giving them new depth through physical and geographical contextualization. Furthermore, the accessibility of such an artistic medium as LEGO to the broader public increases multifold the emotional resonance of the work on exhibit-goers and patrons alike, while sacrificing none of the historical accuracy and rigorous dedication to the historicity of the esteemed subject matter. Ars Longa, Vita Brevis
V
Table of Contents
I
Maps
p. XII
III
Logistics
p. XX
V
Sponsorship
p. XXIV
p. VIII
Historicity
II
p. XVIII
Venues
IV
p. XXII
Proofs of Concept
VI VII
S E NAT V S
Maps
P O P V LV S Q V E
ROMANVS
The extents of the final piece will include every aspect of the 4th century CE city within the Aurelian Walls. The remains of these fortifications denote the urban core of Rome even today, while also encircling the vast majority of the ancient city’s key districts and geographic features. In addition, the landscape will highlight critical infrastructural corridors - specifically roads and aqueducts - stretching just beyond the extents of the diorama. Omnium Rerum Principia Parva Sunt
Overview - 4th Century CE
IX
Geography
Infrastructure
XI
S E NAT V S
Historicity
P O P V LV S Q V E
ROMANVS
The Roman civilization indelibly shaped the course of Western history. Its influence has permeated nearly every aspect of modern life, including literature, philosophy, social order, architecture and urban design. If Latin influence is foundational to modern society, then the City of Rome itself was once the cornerstone of the ancient world: Caput Mundi
Literature
Bede
“As long as the Colossus stands, Rome will stand, when the Colossus falls, Rome will also fall, when Rome falls, so falls the world.” (7th - 8th century CE)
Vergil
“Where Lydian Tiber flows with gentle course between the fertile fields where heroes dwell. Prosperity, a kingdom ... are there obtained for you.” (1st century BCE)
XIII
Architectural Typologies
Amphitheatre
Flavian Amphitheatre
Basilica
Basilica of Constantine Basilica Aemilia
Theatre
Theatre of Marcellus
Stadium
Circus Maximus
Domus Insulae
Historical Figures
Vespasian
Flavian Amphitheatre
Hadrian
Temple of Venus & Roma
Septimius Severus
Claudius
Arch of Septimius Severus
Temple of Divine Claudius
Vespasian
Temple of Vespasian
Constantine
Arch of Constantine
Titus
Arch of Titus
Julius Caesar Basilica Julia
XV
Terminology
“Colosseum”
Flavian Amphitheatre came to reference the nearby Colossus Solis
“Capitol”
Capitoline Hill
“Monetary”
Mint of Rome stood “ad monetam” (next to the Temple of Juno Moneta)
“Palace”
Imperial Domus atop Palatine Hill
Government
Curia Julia
Senate Meeting House
Tabularium
Government archive?
Forum Romanum
Public square among government buildings
XVII
S E NAT V S
Logistics
P O P V LV S Q V E
ROMANVS
A consistent throughline in my more than ten years’ worth of work has been the modularization of and readily transferable design standards to which each piece is executed. This allows for each project to be installed and deinstalled quickly and efficiently. SPQR will be designed according to this proven stratagem, ensuring that it will always be able to move to new venues, unlike museum dioramas of the past. Acta Non Verba
me
ntu
m
2025
IV
2024 23
20
III
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II
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cks
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2026
Sto
red &
for versatile shippin g a r rang eme
sions expan s 4 new flight case 2 new
ond
s allow
4 new expansions 2 new flight cases
bey
22
ple
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setup
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4 new 2 new expansion 1,000 s flight ,000 cases brick s
500,0
ensures quick
tion sec
ad
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Sub
for streamlined designed expa gem nsio a t a n Str
M od u
s elve h s e shipp ed in prescribed flight cas
XIX
S E NAT V S
Venues
P O P V LV S Q V E
ROMANVS
Since 2011, my portfolio of exhibition venues has grown from primarily convention halls to include private galleries, atria / lobbies and museum exhibits. This continually widening range speaks to a quality of work which is conducive toward both varying exhibition durations and a variety of suitable display spaces. SPQR will be designed as such to accommodate a broad repertoire of potential venues. Ad Meliora
B r i c kU n
iverse Exhibitions 2021
20 20
18
21
illun use, B O Ho
Museums
d & IIT Open Ho u s e , Chic ago
2021
Galleries
A tr
2017
ia / L o b bies
0
2 20
20 21
u da Imaginação, São Paulo Muse
LE G
vention Halls Con
2016
AM A
gen Plaz enha p a , Ch i o C , cago & Bella Center XXI
S E NAT V S
Sponsorship
P O P V LV S Q V E
ROMANVS
Integrating means by which individuals can directly contribute to the realization of SPQR will help ensure the continued designing + building of new expansions. Individuals can contribute via Patreon with any one of three available subscription models. Each tier offers exclusive rewards, process insights and collectable memorabilia only available to those who chose to sponsor. Bis Dat Qui Cito Dat
Patreon Tiers DORIC $6 per month
IONIC $15 per month
• Photo Reveals (1 week early)
• All the benefits of DORIC Patrons
• Exclusive Articles (1 monthly)
• Model Film Reveals (1 week early)
• BrickUniverse Gallery Walkthrough (up to 1 monthly based on scheduled shows)
• AMA (Ask Me Anything) Posts (quarterly) • Signed 11”x17” Print of all-new piece (quarterly) • Exclusive looks at BUILD process *weeks before public reveal*
CORINTHIAN $32 per month
• All the benefits of DORIC & IONIC Patrons • Exclusive looks at DESIGN process *months before public reveal* • Custom Small Build + Instructions (up to 100 parts) (every 6 months) • 20% Discount for SPQR Custom Minifigures by BigKidBrix (1 per minifigure) • 30 Collectible 1x8 Printed Bricks commemorating SPQR Milestones (4 pediment / entablature bricks, 7 hills, 8 imperial baths, 11 aqueducts) • Quarterly Digital Book (highlighting Design + Build process / Historical Precedence of a single piece)
XXIII
S E NAT V S
P O P V LV S Q V E
Proofs of Concept
ROMANVS
Since 2019, I have completed no fewer than five successive LEGO landscapes varying in size from 66,000 parts in SPQR (2019) to more than 114,000 parts in Jerusalem (2021). All told, these works - and the rapid succession in which they were designed + built - provide viable proofs of concept for a broader SPQR proposal beyond any shadow of a doubt! Veritas Odit Moras
I
SPQR - Imperial Rome
2020
III
Vatican City
2021
V
Taj Mahal
2019
Forbidden City
II
2020
First Century Jerusalem
IV
2021
XXV
SPQR - Imperial Rome (circa 320 CE under Constantine I)
cti on
o2 .0
Stud i 2.0
ate
dio Stu
Insta llati on
300+ hours in 32 days
AD
220+ hours in 24 days
Aut oC
• Build Time:
cons tru
eal d Rev
• Design Time:
91in x 54in (231cm x 137cm)
Temp le
Jan 2020
0-
1:650
Dec 2019
c2
• Scale:
Nov 2019
De
~66,000 (800+ unique)
Oct 2019 um osse Col
Museu da Imaginação (permanent exhibition)
• Parts:
• Dimensions:
Sept 2019
phy gra Geo
• Commission:
Aug 2019
XXVII
Forbidden City
(designed/built on-faith during pandemic)
Mar 2020
Apr 2020
• Commission (on-faith): Museu da Imaginação (permanent exhibition)
May 2020
Me
ate an G ridi
Jun 2020
Jul 2020
Aug 2020
Oute r Co urt Me
o2 .0
Stud i
dio Stu 400+ hours in 43 days
a ry ond
Prim ar y
300+ hours in 34 days
S ec
• Build Time:
al d ate
• Design Time:
56in x 72in (143cm x 183cm)
July 2 4-R eve
• Dimensions:
2.0
1:650
aphy otogr
• Scale:
/P h tion duc Pro
~84,000 (700+ unique)
dia
• Parts:
XXIX
Vatican City
(world’s first LEGO diorama of an entire sovereign country) Jul 2020
e
o2 .0
Stud i 2.0
Sustain ed
dio Stu 500+ hours in 70 days
ces eren Ref
Goo gle Ear t
h
300+ hours in 28 days
c phi
• Build Time:
Pal ac
Med i a Cov era ge
• Design Time:
52in x 68in (131cm x 173cm)
Apos tolic
Dec 2020
ction rodu
1:650
tro
Nov 2020
P eo
• Scale:
Pie San
Oct 2020
Vid
~67,000 (1,300+ unique)
• Dimensions:
di zza Pia
BrickUniverse, LLC (Featured Artist Gallery)
• Parts:
Sept 2020
Gra
• Exhibition Piece:
Aug 2020
XXXI
First Century Jerusalem (Second Temple Period circa 70 CE)
Jan 2021
es of D ncy e i ic Eff
Museu da Imaginação (permanent exhibition)
2.0
dio Stu
Textua l Re fere
nce s
400+ hours in 50 days
D oCA Aut
• Build Time:
520+ hours in 60 days
ti o n
• Design Time:
102in x 70in (260cm x 178cm)
Institut i on a l R e co g ni
• Dimensions:
Jun 2021
Tem ple
Artis ti 1:650
Seco nd
May 2021
ction rodu
• Scale:
ign
Apr 2021
P eo
~114,000 (900+ unique)
Mar 2021
Vid
• Parts:
Feb 2021
c In spir atio n
• Commission:
Dec 2020
XXXIII
Taj Mahal
(first-ever LEGO diorama of the full Taj Mahal complex)
Aug 2021
Ma
ce
1:650
n eara App
• Scale:
eo
~17,600 (550+ unique)
Darw azaI Ra uza
Vid
• Parts:
leum
o2 .0
BrickUniverse, LLC (Featured Artist Gallery)
u so
Sept 2021
Stud i
• Exhibition Piece:
Jul 2021
2.0
dio Stu
De but
120+ hours in 14 days
Graph ic R e fere nce s
75+ hours in 8 days
D oCA Aut
• Build Time:
ibiti on
• Design Time:
21in x 43in (53cm x 108cm)
Public Exh
• Dimensions:
XXXV
Festina Lente
rjbuttliere@yahoo.com roccobuttliere.com
Designing To Inspire | Building A Vision
© Rocco Buttliere MMXXII