Otoh Gunga: A Victory in Submergence
General Preface
When George Lucas created Star Wars, he wanted his universe to feel "lived in" – opposing the futuristic “clean slate” aesthetic of other sci-fi locales. Through Lucas’ attempt at realism, we are gifted a smattering of community-based case studies strewn across the Star Wars galaxy - a handful of which we will explore using the book Star Wars: Complete Locations.
Today we dive into the depths of Lake Paonga and explore the underwater villages of Naboo.
An Underwater World
The Gungan underwater village, Otoh Gunga, is anchored along the cliffs of Naboo's Lake Paonga. Submerged in secret, the Gungan city serves as haven and hideout for the populus.
Hydrostatic Bubbles
Hydrostatic bubbles, powered by electrostatic generators, provide a breathable atmosphere for the amphibious Gungans. The bubbles vary in size and purpose - the largest bubbles serving as public space and the smaller ones containing mixed uses. Bubble opacities also vary according to their purpose with private dwellings tinted most heavily.
A certain sprawl has developed as well with new bubbles built at the whim of Boss Noss. Most of the new development is purely an affectation with no justifiable usage.
Walkway Hierarchy
A "Grand Walkway" bisects the central bubble at a breadth of 15-25 feet and a radial path of equal width hugs the circumference. Branching from the "Grand Walkway" are "Observation walkways" which are much narrower (4-6 feet in width). These narrower walkways, suspended precariously above a multi-story drop, allow for expedited pathfinding and service the smallest of bubbles. A couple stories downward in the central bubble is an 8-12 foot wide promenade which circles around the bubbly void and its decorative alcoves.
Architectural Quirks/Patterns
Each exterior bubble is capped with a "kernode assembly" to bolster its hydrostatic field. The innards of these assemblies are expectedly mechanical; however, these innards are hidden by a golden ornate plating that accents the bubbles' yellowish glow. In fact, the entire mechanical skeleton of the city doubles as an aesthetic, biomorphic flesh. Power amplifiers, for example, double as golden window panes and "utanodes" - which project the hydrostatic field - doppelgang as a cobwebbed crown molding.
The smooth walkways contrast darkly against the bubbles' bright ornamentation and are painted - or perhaps indented - with a flagstone-like pattern. The hydrostatic entry portal features a tongue-like porch and an archway of chemical evaporators - drying off entrants as they pass from the watery exterior and into the open-aired interior of the bubble.
Two-way conversations echo effortlessly and without privacy while communal murmurs persist in ambiance.
Ridiculously inclined ramps with 50-100% slopes are commonplace at times where stairs would be more suitable (though, ADA standards need not apply in a galaxy far, far away).
Gungans are the originator of the bubbles and are thus the main inhabitants. Despite the high amount of infrastructure, their population appears to be relatively low. Low density may be the normal, favored condition for the Gungans. "Tourists" are also mentioned in the source material, but no particular species is highlighted. It seems unlikely that this "hidden city" (as described by Jar-Jar in The Phantom Menace) would welcome outsiders. Perhaps these "tourists" are Gungans as well - hailing from a different underwater village.
What We Can Learn
The redressing of base mechanical components and using them as an aesthetic framework gives the city a thoughtful polish. Since the mechanical components are essential to the city's well-being, it quells debate over art's typically subjective aesthetic.
Pathways, with absent railing and steep inclines, certainly don't adhere to ADA standards, but this is expected for an alien race. In fact, the precarious nature may be intended. This lends itself to a new line of thought: perhaps walking shouldn't be easy or safe; perhaps danger should be the new standard of locomotion.
One final thought: if Earth ever turns into a full-blown water world (which would be quite the cool catastrophe), perhaps a city like Otoh Gunga is in the cards. In a way though, aren't we already a water world of sorts? 70% water versus 30% land sounds a lot like a water world to me. Naboo's not too dissimilar in composition, and yet the Gungans bounce more effectively between the two mediums. This makes a fellow wonder why we've yet to fully embrace our own hydrosphere. An entire ocean awaits our settlement. Sure, humans are land animals, but as a species of adaptation, the underwater city is a potential asset for humanity and a template for engineering and design. For once, what a thrill it would be to drown...
References:
Film: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)
Star Wars: Complete Locations (illustrated by Jenssen & Chasemore). Lucas Books. DK. (2005)
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