On the Eastern Board of Heterocera Atoll, between Spangle, the Plusia Interchange and Melanthia, the SLRR passes through Shipton where this unusual rest area is worth alighting for.
The land description lists what the traveller can expect here, and it's plainly offered with the explorer or art collector in mind: "Travellers rest, train watching, sunrise watching, art collection in the birdhouse, train station pics in lower level of house for sale, free box of destination posters with LMs, friendly people make yourself at home."
It's a quirky, personal space that nevertheless feels open and comfortable for the visitor. It's a traveler's haven. We are expected to pause as we pass through.The first impression is given by a seemingly random collection of scattered objects and buildings, but on closer inspection it furnishes a lot of interest and everything is placed for a reason: rich pickings for this inquiry.
Reference to surroundings
In the 512 parcels I have blogged so far, I've noted it as a strength when a parcel's contents refer to the surrounding area. This location mirrors and refracts the surroundings very carefully. The location seems chosen for its function, or the owner has responded to what can plainly be seen in the landscape nearby.
A small bus shelter faces the tracks, offering a place to sit and wait for the next train. It is decorated with posters giving LMs to other locations to explore. A set of travel posters is offered from a box on the ground nearby.
The railway is further referenced by a couple of cable rolls lying on the ground and some apparent 'junk' that one might find beside a railway (in fact a select and ususual assortment). However, inside the house, a highly collectible series of 24 pictures of SLRR stations by artist, Pearl Grey, is offered to view, and individual pictures can be bought. Every SLRR station is a unique piece of architecture and the individuality of each is captured well and complemented by the varieties of the size and frame used.
The coastal setting is reflected by the placement of several palm trees. The Mediterranean atmosphere that I often sense along this coast seems to be fixed in the patina of the walls and the choice of colors and plants.
Rooms with views
While the objects on a parcel can reference the surroundings, a place further interacts with the wider landscape in the views that it allows.
From several positions on the parcel, where seating is strategically placed, the tropical houses, on the other side of the tracks, and the sea beyond are framed through doorways or windows,or from the balcony or through the portholes of the bird house. The vista is to the east and gets the very best of the sunrises.
Particularly unusual and pleasing is the high-angle circular framing of the coastline from inside the birdhouse.
Placement, assymetry, and minimalism
The house has the SLRR station gallery on the lower floor and a bedroom upstairs. These rooms are very spacious and could fit a lot of furniture in them. Instead there are just a few pieces chosen and placed where they can be appreciated.
I'm at pains to analyse why the balance of placement is so satisfying. A typical 'golden ratio' or 'rule of thirds' does not seem to apply to, for example, the table on the edge of the rug - but it is in the 'right' place. In part, I think the effect comes from making sure that lines of sight, at least from seating, pick up other features on and off the parcel(because it is best appreciated in mouselook).
Outside, too, the objects have a strong assymetry that runs with the triangular shape of the parcel, much heavier features being put towards the narrowest 'base' of the triangle.
Open/closed - Up/down
In previous posts I have asked how space is enclosed and concluded that some sort of barrier is often needed to give a sense of place as distinct from the surroundings. However, this parcel can be approached and entered from any side. You can just walk onto it. There are no paths to say "start here".
Much of the land immediately surrounding is empty, so one comes upon it like an oasis. It feels odd to me to just walk in, but it does make for a wide and welcoming atmosphere.
I have also noted the use of 'verticality' and speculated a bit on why we like to go upwards. A very interesting expression of upwardsness is found in the bird house, here, There's nothing quite like it. Accessed by teleport, there are two levels once you are up in the bird house, and there is ample space for the average SL avatar. There's a further selection of art to look at, and the second level has an especially birdy theme to it.
I think this parcel achieves a sense of place by being very true to its geographical and topological setting, while offering an array of curiosities that will keep the restless traveller looking around and and give the resting traveller some lovely places to sit.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shipton/23/110/31
