Dezeen Magazine

Archisutra by Federico Babina

Kama Sutra reimagined as architecture by illustrator Federico Babina

Architectural illustrator Federico Babina has created his own version of the Kama Sutra, where buildings rather than people demonstrate sexual positions.

Named Archisutra, Babina's latest project is a series of poster prints that each feature pairs of buildings that appear to be engaging in sexual intercourse, referencing the ancient Indian Hindu guide to love and sex.

Archisutra by Federico Babina

In each image, the buildings' structures have been drawn to resemble different parts of the human anatomy. Differently sized windows look like facial features, while angled volumes take the form of arms and legs.

"It's always fun to play with the architectural forms and volumes," explained Babina. "You can interweave geometries to create a sculptural body shaking in a voluptuous architectural embrace."

Archisutra by Federico Babina

Some images in the series are two-dimensional, while others have been drawn in three dimensions.

Babina has also created composite images that show a variety of configurations. One of these, named Orgytecture, shows a tower block made up of the different structures.

Archisutra by Federico Babina

According to the illustrator, the series highlights the sexual symbolism inherent in many famous buildings. He refers to a quote from Swiss-French architect Bernard Tschumi, who wrote: "Architecture is the ultimate erotic act".

"Many architectural constructions lean, voluntarily or involuntarily, on metaphoric values and on sexual symbolism," said Babina. "The semantic, metaphoric and symbolic meaning of architecture is a constant through the ages regardless of the style and the historical period."

Archisutra by Federico Babina

"Simultaneously, in these illustrations I like to imagine an anthropomorphic architecture infused by surreal themes to depict the unconscious double-life of architecture," he added.

Babina has created numerous image collections based on famous architectural images and characters. Examples include a series of architectural portraits made from building components, and an alphabet of architects.

Archisutra by Federico Babina

For Archisutra, Babina said he was inspired by an image that featured on the cover of Rem Koolhaas' Delirious New York.

"I love the image by Madelon Vriesendorp, Flagrant Delit, which is a representation of post-coital Empire State and Chrysler Buildings caught in bed by the Rockefeller Building," he said.

Archisutra by Federico Babina

"One way to explore not only the functional component of architecture, but also its capacity of communication is by highlighting the traces of sexuality and sensuality hidden between shapes," he added.

Babina's other recent projects feature architect quotes reimagined as roadside advertisements and abstract details of famous buildings.