Marked In Motion
Astolabe
2085 Narrative
This project explores tattooing as a deeply personal and transformative ritual, where pain, memory, and identity are turned into permanent marks on the skin. The narrative follows an emotional journey, using the stages of ink-making; harvesting, crushing, straining, and mixing as metaphors for uncovering and processing suppressed memories. Each stage becomes a spatial and emotional threshold, leading to the final act of tattooing, where the body is marked with meaning. The process is both physical and reflective, honouring the idea that pain can be a source of healing. Through this layered ritual, visitors engage with their own stories, reconnect with memory, and leaving with a personal transformation. Tattooing becomes not just decoration, but a meaningful act of storytelling and release.
Spatial Concept
The spatial concept draws from the building’s layered history and ritual-like function. The architecture is organised vertically, with each floor representing a stage of ink production—creating a narrative descent toward transformation. Inspired by the astrolabe, the spatial layout incorporates mechanical systems to guide users through their ritual journey, both physically and emotionally. A mechanical tattooing table, powered by collective movement, becomes the climax of the space. Materials like Ceppo di Gré stone and dark-stained oak enhance the contrast between heaviness and intimacy. The building becomes a navigational tool—an active instrument through which users process memory, engage with ritual, and ultimately leave marked by experience.
