Chapter 21, Page 18
The following is a brief excerpt from Architect’s Digest, a quarterly periodical that features detailed coverage on projects and in-depth profiles of influential architects and designers. [Article originally published one year ago.]
Sumter: A Unique Vision
By Eniko Doma
A private high school that caters to the obscenely wealthy, Sumter Private Academy has earned international fame due its eclectic roster of successful alumnae. It has also gained worldwide attention for having been designed and built by the celebrated architect, Kregin Hahn, over a century ago.
The school’s founder, Ira Sumter, hired Hahn after rejecting the original architect’s design plan, deeming it to be “dull, rectangular, and prison-like.” Hahn was quick to win Sumter’s favor with his signature gothic architecture and, more importantly, the ability to adapt to his employer’s many eccentricities. Ira Sumter would frequently demand architectural changes during construction, ordering Hahn to add secret doors and hidden passageways to the rooms, with no known rationale or explanation given. Hahn, notorious for his combative and irritable personality, would uncharacteristically comply, despite it leading to significant delays on the project. Many who knew Hahn claimed that his work on the building’s construction had consumed him, and that he became obsessed with it on a personal level—one that would later have serious repercussions on his health.
At Ira Sumter’s insistence, gargoyles were to be placed on the north, south, and west sides of the building. Hahn, in turn, contracted renowned Delgadan artist Sirio Balíst to design and sculpt the gargoyles. Made of corlite, an extremely expensive and difficult stone to work, each statue required precision laser cutting and radenite tools to properly sculpt.
Despite their worldwide popularity, mutual respect for one another, and extensive work in gothic architecture, this would prove to be Balíst and Hahn’s only project together—both men died shortly after Sumter Academy’s completion.
Danger Zone One. Story by Midnight. Art by Salaiix.
I think that maybe Reena’s a little more than just shook up over here………….🤔
I don’t care how much of a badass you proport to be, seeing someone crushed by a falling statue right in front of you will take a toll.
Since when has Reena ever been purported to be a baddass?
In the additional text, the word you want is “rationale”, not “rational”.
ra·tion·ale
noun
noun: rationale; plural noun: rationales
a set of reasons or a logical basis for a course of action or a particular belief.
“he explained the rationale behind the change”
Glad to see someone’s reading the supplemental entries!
Time for some empathy and tough love words from Madison…
Kind of just realizing it’s been a long time since we had Reena and Madison together in the same room. The art’s been top class and this page is no exception. Characters look gorgeous here.