Proposal for a new Schloss

[Sudane Erato]

Rosie Gray and I have developed the following proposal for a new Schloss. I'll be dropping this proposal on Shep today, for discussion at the up-coming RA meeting. Our Chancellor Tor Karlsvalt has agreed to introduce this at the RA meeting, and Rosie and I will be there of course to answer questions. We'd be happy to hear comments here too.

Proposal
to the RA and the Chancellor of the CDS
from Rosie Gray and Sudane Erato
reference: http://goo.gl/KhHPK

Rosie Gray and Sudane Erato propose, for your approval, to replace the existing Schloss on the high point of Neufreistadt with a new Schloss, patterned after the traditional Bavarian style, the principal theme of NFS. The new Schloss will incorporate spaces suitable for the central ceremonial role currently played by the Schloss. It will do so in a building which is architecturally superior to the current build, created to current standards of building excellence, and reflecting economies of building resources (prim and texture usage) which were not possible when the existing Schloss was created.

The NFS Schloss has a long history. On this site, originally, stood the “Senate” chamber, a circular amphitheater-like structure with the Neualtenburg chicken embossed in the central circular floor. http://goo.gl/AI9ni It was in this chamber that the original sessions of the RA were held, when the CDS was located in Anzere.

After the move to our own sim, Neualtenburg, the sessions of the RA were moved to a hall located along the southeast side of the Platz, where the CDS info center is located now. The old senate assembly hall was removed, and the land on which it stood was claimed as a personal parcel by one of our founders, Ulrika Zugzwang. She commissioned Kendra Bancroft, another CDS founder and a builder of many of the original Neualtenburg structures, to build her a palace... a personal space... for a considerable sum of money... perhaps L$30,000. The core of the existing Schloss is this personal palace for Ulrika built by Kendra.

However, Ulrika was never a frequent visitor to SL itself, preferring to participate mostly via the forums, so the Schloss went unused by her. Over the years, the Schloss, because of it’s visual prominence, became a place for ceremonial community events, particularly formal balls. One of us (Sudane) added the southward platform as a wing to extend the ballroom space, as well as other amenities.

Later, one of our citizens, Samantha Fuller, took it upon herself, with no word to the community, to substantially add to and modify the external and internal features and appearance of the building. She added numbers of rooms to the west part of the building, new spaces in the tower and in the basement, and, most regrettably, new towers obstructing the existing floor space.

As a result, the current Schloss is a hodge-podge of work of different builders, not ideally suited to the functions it is used for, inefficiently and unaesthetically built, and for a long time in need of replacement.

We propose the following process of replacement. Upon approval of this proposal, we will prepare and provide a number of inspiring photos and sketches which will together contribute to the final shape and appearance of the building. We will post these, and invite comments, and as much as possible incorporate those comments into our design. We will initiate construction off site on a sky platform in another sim, so as to not burden NFS with excess prims. Before anything is done to the existing Schloss, the basic framework of the new Schloss will be created at this offsite location.

The work done at the offsite location will shape the *basic* framework of the new building. However, because of the unique and extraordinary location of the Schloss, and the very critical requirement that it blend with its environment, seemingly to grow out of that environment, the finishing work on the building will need to be done at its final location.

Therefore, at the point at which we feel that the build must be moved to its intended home, and before we remove the old building to make way for it, we will seek the final go-ahead from the RA and from the Chancellor. Upon that approval, the old build will be removed, the new build put in its place, and the building finished.

We estimate that the building process will take most of the period of the 18th Representative Assembly. Our goal will be to have it finished, with all details complete, by the inauguration of the 19th Representative Assembly.

We propose to create this new building as a free donation to the community, and will provide the components of the build with full permissions to the CDS Archive should it need to be repaired in the future. Please note that this is not a project of the Artisan Guild which is in the process of being formed and not yet ready to take on projects. It is a proposal from the two undersigned individual citizens of the CDS.

We thank you for your consideration and look forward to your approval of this exciting project.

Rosie Gray
Sudane Erato
(only Sudane Erato is the "confirmed grump" of the below signature)

[Tor Karlsvalt]

This is exciting news. Thank you Sudane and Rosie for putting forth this plan to rebuild the Schloss. The Schloss project has been on the table since before I arrived in CDS. It is good to finally see some real movement. I encourage the community and the Representative Assembly to support these efforts.

The Schloss has long held a commanding position in Neufreistadt. Yet, my experience has been that the closer I get to the Schloss, the less useful and appealing it becomes. The current Schloss is an collection of bad texturing, an inordinate use of prims, excessive use of different styles, permissions intended to thwart community control of a public space, and even sections that essentially are unauthorized use of public land by an unelected person. Such a build, holding such a prominent place, and costing us so much in resources must be beautiful and useful. One both these accounts the current Schloss has failed on close examination. It's only useful section, the terrace, is not even part of the actual castle, but an addition. Finally, in our citizen controlled regions, the Schloss should be a build reflecting the community will.

Our community needs a fine showplace for events and as a symbol. A new Schloss would provide a beautiful, functional build and show us off as a community of talented and forward moving people.

I look forward to seeing the plans suggested by Rosie and Sudane. I heartily support this plan to rebuild the Schloss.

[Ranma Tardis]

Bills need to be sponsored by a member of the RA. As only RA members can propose a bill or motion and only a RA member can second it.

Need details so I can make an informed position. Oh what will happen to the current structure? It is a historical building.

[Tanoujin Milestone]

Ranma, I know you want to preserve Kendra's heritage. I checked: 12 (in words: twelve) prims show her as owner at the Schloss parcel, 11 located in the Ladie's restroom representing a Bierfass, Morter and Pestil, and a one prim table. The other prim left is the head stone of the main entrance portal.
To me it looks like Samantha did a herculian job - she is in control of 432 prims on that parcel (605 in total, 204 above parcel capacity, 146 definitely owned by other active, available citizens). So - good news: through the engagement of Sam we *could* archive the Schloss with minimal loss. I am really grateful she achieved that...

[Gwyneth Llewelyn]

A most excellent idea and a really welcome one I'm looking forward to see the kind of "inspiration" you will draw for the next Schloss.

Mind you, the current one was loosely based on the dozens (if not hundreds!) of castles/palaces built by "Mad King Ludwig II of Baviera" in the 1850-1860s or so, which popped up all over Europe (his family was widespread!), and featured this most eclectic mix of features typical of the period (see Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the original inspiration for the Neufreistadt Schloss). In fact, I can see one of those Schlosses currently out of my window iRL — it's the Palacio da Pena (who was also once or twice recreated in SL) and as you can see from the pictures, it's also as crazily built as the Neufreistadt Schloss. Like most of these castles in the period inspired by Ludwig, they're usually featured at the top of hills or mountains.

This is only to say that the amount of crazyness put into the Neufreistadt Schloss was quite deliberate. It never intended to be a medieval castle or something like that, but really reflect the eclectic style of the period of Mad King Ludwig.

This is NOT to say that the "New Schloss" has to be anything like that; my post was just an explanation why the Neufreistadt Schloss has this crazy and eclectic look-and-feel — it was quite deliberate, and Samantha (and Sudane!), by adding even more crazy architecture to the existing castle, made it even more close to the original spirit Ludwig would be proud of "our" castle!

[Gwyneth Llewelyn]

Oh, btw, Ranma, anyone can submit bills for the RA to approve, not just RA members. It's just at the LRA's discretion (but he or she can be overruled) that citizen-submitted bills are accepted and discussed.

[Rosie Gray]

Definately the idea is to create a Schloss in the spirit of, and very much influenced by the Ludwig II Schloss' and especially the Neuschwanstein Schloss. Aren't they just the epitome of the 'fairy-tale' castle/palace! I see us as carrying on with a very similar vision from the original, but using more up to date SL building techniques; ensuring that textures are properly sized and making use of the larger prims, and with some judicious use of sculpties.

We will be able to make a much more realistic looking building and use a lot less prims. This will free some up for decorating, and for the events that require prim usage. We can make use of a rezzer similar to the one in the Kirche to rez various furnishings for the ballroom, for instance. There are a lot of improvements that can be made since our pioneers first created the old Schloss.

Another benefit will be that we can archive the new Schloss and ensure that everything has proper permissions that a public building should have.

[Ranma Tardis]

Rosie discovered myself there is really nothing left of the old Schloss.

So go ahead and redesign it. Will be happy to introduce the bill to the RA.

[Tanoujin Milestone]

King Ludwig again? Good grief! I should have drowned him in the monastery lake and make it look like suicide to save the bavarian national budget...

[Shep]

King Ludwig again? Good grief! I should have drowned him in the monastery lake and make it look like suicide to save the bavarian national budget...

LMAO ..

[Tanoujin Milestone]

Rosie Gray and Sudane Erato propose to replace the Schloss with an improved new one, in compliance with the theme of the sim. They asked the LRA to put it on the agenda for discussion (2013-01-05 4pm). Our Chancellor supports this project. He will introduce the topic.

This project affects the parcels NFS Schloss Neufreistadt (1,712 sqm) and NFS Schloss Neufreistadt: Balcony (656 sqm). Both parcels are public land. We use the structure for events. Furthermore it is a tourist attraction. And it is a symbol how we are dealing with the remains of autocracy - starting with Ulrika's self-ironic act to spend her money on a Sleeping Beautie's palace.

Several citizens took the opportunity to set additional ironic statements in prim. Throne and toilet, cigarette vendor and torture chamber, placed in an environment of romantic eclecticism - the visitor is invited to explore an overcharging mixture of royal infatuation and insubordinate impertinence - to me that is the thrill of the Schloss, and I like it.

On the other hand I hate it for its slouchy construction, appalling mix of styles, inconsistency of texture qualities and the obvious lack of a general concept. Not to mention taste: all the impertinence is wasted on cheap variations of kitsch far from the original madness of Neuschwanstein. It is not even bourgeois. It is hardly disney-like. And so the wit is missing the target. The moonshine king would not have liked this building. Our republican sarcasm would not have bothered him. So far on my personal desires - but art is not a request show.

The Assembly is asked to approve the start of an open-ended design process. This falls under the service role of performing long-term planning. I remember this was discussed in 2007 already, when Jon Seattle chaired the new guild. We had a commission. I visited Kendra in Port Neualtenburg. She had no interest to discuss the topic in depth, and I was shy. After about 3 minutes of conversation she said something like we should return the Schloss if it disturbs us, it was our parcel and she would not care.

To me this was no option and I felt misunderstood. NFS without the Schloss? I went there and started to read the prims, measure the outlines and so on. Could it be rebuilt, so the community would have something similar to decide on? I made a terrain sculptmap. I started to make a model. I was about to reproduce the keyhole-arch colonnade when Samantha popped up and interrogated me about my intentions. It turned out she already was on that job. I offered her cooperation. I spent hours above Biedermeier wallpapers. But my textures were never good enough in her opinion. And she was right in a way.

It turned out the building was primitive in the original sense, but the textures were crucial. Sam followed her own concept, she was adding spiral stairs and sculpt columns. The building was under construction, and Samantha presented herself as a laconic woman of action. Obviously she was returning prims, and Kendra did not care indeed. I reported to the guild and somewhat gave it up. The last prim set by Sam dates from July 2010. She has finished her project. And we are having a Content Archivist by now. Two required recommendations we were not able to meet before. So far on long term planning. But a plan is just theory.

Let me be very clear about that: I recommend we ask Samantha to transfer a backup of the current Schloss to the Archive. I would like to leave that to the Chancellor. But I see no reason why we should condition the removal of the current Schloss on that. I would condition the removal of the current Schloss on a comparison to the new Schloss. If we can have a better one, let us go for it! All this does not affect my respect for Samantha's work.

Rosie and Sudane are inviting us to witness and comment the development of the basic concept. They will work for free and provide full permission backups. We will have the opportunity to draw the above mentioned comparison and finally decide.

I see no reason why the RA should not approve this proposal without modification. And I applaud to the attitude expressed by it.

[Shep]

I see no reason why the RA should not approve this proposal without modification. And I applaud to the attitude expressed by it.

Tan could you please condense your proposal so we get a clearer idea please ... the fewer words there are .. the less misunderstandings there can be

[Pip Torok]

I see no reason why the RA should not approve this proposal without modification. And I applaud to the attitude expressed by it.

Tan could you please condense your proposal so we get a clearer idea please ... the fewer words there are .. the less misunderstandings there can be

To counterpose, I hope that Tan will continue to write as many words as she feels appropriate.

I for one highly appreciate hearing of the background events that relate to the concept, the history, and the subsequent development of the Schloss.

And of course this does involve an aesthetic assessment, something that, in my own personal case, I've deliberately chosen not to share with others. Nevertheless, I do find everyone else's assessment fascinating!

"I will not play at tug o' war.
I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.

-- Shel Silverstein ... "Hug o' War"

Pip Torok (thinking about the recent election)

[Shep]

I see no reason why the RA should not approve this proposal without modification. And I applaud to the attitude expressed by it.

Tan could you please condense your proposal so we get a clearer idea please ... the fewer words there are .. the less misunderstandings there can be

To counterpose, I hope that Tan will continue to write as many words as she feels appropriate.

I for one highly appreciate hearing of the background events that relate to the concept, the history, and the subsequent development of the Schloss.

And of course this does involve an aesthetic assessment, something that, in my own personal case, I've deliberately chosen not to share with others. Nevertheless, I do find everyone else's assessment fascinating!

"I will not play at tug o' war.
I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.

-- Shel Silverstein ... "Hug o' War"

Pip Torok (thinking about the recent election)

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ... seems I should take my own advice about misunderstandings ..... Tan knows I did'nt want her not to preamble ... I simply asked her to refine what she sees as a proposal.. ... I'll ask her in private next time

[Ranma Tardis]

Shep it is important that as much of the discussion as possible be in the public domain. Having only private talks fuels the rumors of backroom deals just like it does in the world of rl. So far I do not see anything in the way to block the bill from Rosie and Sundane from passing. I count at least three votes in favor and we have yet to hear from Moonrise Azalee. Then there is the new member that has not been decided.

The replacement of the Schloss is going to happen. It is just a question on how it will happen. I am looking forward in seeing the plans for the new Schloss. What will it look like and what purpose(s) will it serve?