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the tower of pisa by architect bonanno pisano next on shevyvision

The Astoundingly Complex Ancient Indian Stepwells 

Ancient Indian stepwells captured by Victoria S. Lautman. Rudimentary stepwells first appeared in India between the 2nd and 4th centuries A.D., born of necessity in a capricious climate zone bone-dry for much of the year followed by torrential monsoon rains for many weeks. It was essential to guarantee a year-round water-supply for drinking, bathing, irrigation and washing, particularly in the arid states of Gujarat (where they’re called vavs) and Rajasthan (where they’rebaoli, baori, or bawdi) where the water table could be inconveniently buried ten-stories or more underground. Over the centuries, stepwell construction evolved so that by the 11th century they were astoundingly complex feats of engineering, architecture, and art. 

Tiny Intricate Treehouses for Houseplants

Los Angeles–based artist Jedediah Corwyn Voltz is a prop-maker for TV and film by day who has a charming side business making tiny treehouses for potted bonsai trees, cacti, and succulents.

“Building miniatures for stop motion always leaves me with a huge bin of scrap balsa, basswood, various fabrics, etc. and I found myself making little fantasy constructions out of that stuff during my downtime,” Voltz told The Slate in an email. “Those little scrap forts led to me building some more serious ones in little diorama settings, and last year I built my first living treehouse.”

The tiny treehouses will be on display (and for sale) at L.A.’s Virgil Normal starting April 23. Voltz is available for commissions in L.A. and is developing DIY miniature treehouse-making kits that he hopes to make available next year. Check out more of his work here.

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