An aspiring 22-year-old architect in the Guangdong city of Zhuhai has created an awe-inducing recreation of an iconic Beijing landmark: the Forbidden City.
Forgoing classic model-building materials, like popsicle sticks and paper mache, this replica was crafted in the digital world of Minecraft, a video game that allows players to create constructions out of 3D cubes.
The virtual rendition of what is perhaps China’s most famous palace projects out over a square grid of 100 million colored blocks, with each building’s exterior a match to its real life counterpart.
Check out the impressive digital Forbidden City below (VPN off):
Outside China? Watch on YouTube here.
The virtual venture was completed by volunteers, who began their enormous project back in 2013. Su Yijun, the architecturally gifted 22-year-old mentioned above, joined the team in 2014, before becoming “the project’s chief organizer,” according to Sixth Tone.
Su took time to research traditional Chinese architecture to make sure the team was able to accurately display the massive Forbidden City complex. He even visited the popular tourist destination in person to note real-life specifics that he couldn’t ascertain elsewhere.
“Through this, I hope to impart some knowledge about architectural aesthetics,” Su told Sixth Tone, “and share my thoughts on architectural design.”
Su’s team plans to unveil an extended video of their project sometime later this year.
[Cover image via Sixth Tone]
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