Brandon Clifford: The architectural secrets of the world's ancient wonders
TED Fellow Brandon Clifford mines knowledge from the past to design new futures. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
from what we're doing today,
but seemingly illogical ways,
have possibly built these things,
by a primordial race of giants
with these monsters
for moving those massive stones.
Cyclops aren't even that strong.
about getting material to work for them.
of large, stone-like, wobbly creatures
a mythical creature,
that surround them,
there's this thick connective tissue
first encountered the island,
moved those massive statues.
but actually it's true.
were transported standing,
for visitors today,
marching around the island.
was not the objects themselves,
of bringing a stone to life.
I've been chasing that dream.
to accommodate that mythical side?
is challenging myself
pretty straightforward task
big heavy objects,
designed to walk across land
that springs itself to life
that by thinking of architecture
ways to build things today.
surrounding our future
efficiency and speed.
can be smart, spectacular
how those ancient wonders were built,
how to create the mystery
to ask that very question.
where we design buildings
how to create something
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Brandon Clifford - Ancient technology architectTED Fellow Brandon Clifford mines knowledge from the past to design new futures.
Why you should listen
Brandon Clifford is best known for bringing megalithic sculptures to life to perform tasks. He is the director and cofounder of Matter Design, where his work focuses on advancing architectural research through spectacle and mysticism. He creates new ideas by critically evaluating ancient ways of thinking and experimenting with their value today. This work ranges from an award-winning play structure for kids to a colossal system of construction elements that can be guided into place with ease by mere mortals. He is dedicated to reimagining the role of the architect, and his speculative work continues to provoke new directions for design in the digital era.
Clifford is also an assistant professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His most recent authored work, The Cannibal's Cookbook, demonstrates his dedication to bringing ancient knowledge into contemporary practice with theatrical captivation. He received his Master of Architecture from Princeton University and his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Georgia Tech. For his work as a designer and researcher, he has received recognition with prizes such as the American Academy in Rome Prize, the SOM Prize, the Design Biennial Boston Award and the Architectural League Prize for Young Architects & Designers.
Brandon Clifford | Speaker | TED.com