u/HelicopterCurious772

Before assembling the main body of Hagia Sophia, I wanted to lay out the micro-sections, domes, and buttresses right here on the floor. It looks like a digital 3D exploded view, but there is a major difference: every single piece you see here was cut by hand with a simple blade on my kitchen table.

No lasers. No CNC. No industrial machinery. Just heavy cardboard, patience, and 2,000 reference photos stored in my mind.

In a world driven by digital perfection, I choose the raw reality of manual craftsmanship. This is not a flawless, machine-made model. This is a human model. Every imperfection is part of the architectural journey.

Every build leaves a mark. Welcome to ELİZİ.

All parts undergo detail depth layering and dome processing. Relief is applied to the mini dome without retouching. After drying, the imperfections will be removed.

The entire structure stands thanks to static balance and interlocking connections; glue was used for small parts, however, no adhesive was used when the resulting parts were added to the main structure.Time-lapse video to see how the parts fall into place.

The process is nearing its end in the first phase.

Hi everyone. I’m a model maker and engineering enthusiast. I’ve decided to dedicate my craft to rebuilding the world's most iconic structures, from the Great Pyramids to the James Webb Space Telescope, right on my kitchen table.

I call this the 'ELİZİ Engineering Constitution.' 34 projects divided into 5 chapters of human genius. My rule is simple Every build must follow the original static laws and be handcrafted without laser cutting.

I’ve just started with Hagia Sophia. Which of these engineering marvels should be my top priority for the next few months? I'd love to hear your technical insights!

"When you lock a weak material with a strong mind, it is no longer cardboard; it becomes ELİZİ." Umut DEMİRCİ

Because I love Pixar productions so much, I wanted to make one entirely by hand out of cardboard.

The cardboard should be soaked in lukewarm water for a minimum of 5 minutes, turning it over on both sides. Then, when its chemical structure is almost broken down, it should be carefully placed inside a lemon juicer. After 2 hours of absorbing the water, it should be placed in an oven at a maximum of 5 minutes at below 200 degrees Celsius to remove the moisture. After that, it will begin to return to its natural chemical structure, and after drying naturally for 1 day, the result is... Mini Dome. ELIZI HAGİA SOPHIA

Phase 1: Deep layering and detailing work continues on the raw cardboard. Preparation for moving to Phase 2: All parts are being reworked and further detailed. Final tests are being conducted before moving on to Phase 2 layering and texture. You can follow the progress of the process on my social media accounts. https://www.instagram.com/elizi.every.build.leaves.mark/

https://www.youtube.com/@Elizi-EveryBuildLeavesMarkI would like to thank all the members and administrators of the r/cardboard group for giving us the opportunity to share this process.

Weight testing of the main structure shows it weighs 4.5 kg. This modular system, built from cardboard using the ELIZI logic, relies not on any adhesive miracles, but on completely accurate load transfer and structural analysis. The 4.5 kg weight proves the system is as light as paper but as economical as steel. Note: Structural stability can be achieved by increasing the weight by 10 kg. The aim is not just a model, but a reinterpretation of the architectural system from part to whole. This post is not an advertisement. It is shared to show that there is no digital manipulation or deception in the images and that the process is completely transparent and manual.

The 1500 year old construction process continues. Elızı applied the modular system, from parts to the whole, for the first time in the world in Hagia Sophia. The process continues; we continue to solve the most complex structures in the world.

The third and final layer is the preparation stage for the main dome. I noticed some minor imperfections due to the hand craftsmanship, so I designed a relief extraction system and applied a second layer of relief. This provides a smoother surface and prepares for the third surface layer. :)

The production process is ongoing. ELİZİ | Every Build Leaves a Mark

The 40 Windows of Hagia Sophia: The Dance of Manual Geometry with Cardboard. Zero technology, complete concentration.

ALL RESULTS AND DETAILED PROCESSING NOTES HAVE BEEN RECORDED. 100% CARDBOARD AND HANDMADE ANTIQUE HAGIA SOPHIA... DETAILING IS ONGOING.

The 1500-year-old deviation analytics of the dome were examined. A total of 40+40 glass panels were cut. 27 of the window supports are vertical, and 13 are angled. The changing balance of power over 1500 years, with deviations and wear and tear from the hardships of time, is rising with its final static structure in great splendor. The story of a great lived experience, from part to whole, is taking shape with my hands. Stay tuned and witness this process...