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Monday, June 1, 2026

Gravitas Academic Monument | Trophy Base and Mould Study

 This sketchbook and process sequence documents an early construction study for the Gravitas Academic Monument — Best Academic Achiever of the Year, a school award concept by Pieter Lategan | STUDIO, Pretoria, South Africa.

The work explores how a small academic trophy can be built from simple geometric forms using a combination of 3D-printed plastic, cement or stone-composite fill, and a cast base structure. The study focuses on proportion, weight, silence, material presence and practical construction rather than decoration.

The base study examines how a rectangular foundation can be cast with a central opening or recess, allowing the upper trophy elements to sit into or onto the structure. This process belongs to the wider development of Silent Monumentalism and Gravitas, where balance, discipline, structure and material seriousness are treated as part of the final object.

This is not a generic trophy-cup design. It is a small monument to learning, effort, academic discipline and achievement.

Sketchbook page by Pieter Lategan, Silent Monumentalism, trophy base study, 2026, created in Pretoria, South Africa, showing hand-drawn measurements for a rectangular academic trophy base, focusing on structure, proportion and material planning.

Gravitas Academic Monument Trophy Base Sketch

Early sketchbook measurement study for the base of the Gravitas Academic Monument trophy system.

Sketchbook page by Pieter Lategan, Silent Monumentalism, mould study, 2026, created in Pretoria, South Africa, showing a rectangular casting block with a central opening, focusing on how a base could be moulded for a trophy.

Academic Monument Casting Block Study

Sketchbook note exploring how to cast a specific base block with a central hole or recess.

Process photograph by Pieter Lategan, Silent Monumentalism, mould prototype, 2026, created in Pretoria, South Africa, showing a handmade rectangular cardboard mould with an inner opening for a trophy base study, focusing on casting structure and construction testing.

Gravitas Academic Monument Mould Test

Handmade prototype mould testing the shape of the rectangular base and central recess.

Process photograph by Pieter Lategan, Silent Monumentalism, casting mould study, 2026, created in Pretoria, South Africa, showing a handmade rectangular mould on a studio table with a metal strip used to test spacing and form, focusing on base construction and material planning.

Silent Monumentalism Trophy Construction Study

Process view of the mould study while testing the relationship between the base and upper trophy elements.

Process photograph by Pieter Lategan, Silent Monumentalism, base mould study, 2026, created in Pretoria, South Africa, showing a side view of a handmade card mould for a rectangular trophy base, focusing on height, edge structure and practical casting preparation.

Gravitas Base Form Construction Test

Top view of the mould prototype, showing the base shape and internal recess area.

Process photograph by Pieter Lategan, Silent Monumentalism, mould prototype, 2026, created in Pretoria, South Africa, showing a top view of a rectangular handmade mould with an internal opening, focusing on a cast trophy base and recessed centre.

Academic Monument Base Recess Study

Side view of the handmade base mould showing the low rectangular form and edge construction.

Process photograph by Pieter Lategan, Silent Monumentalism, studio prototype study, 2026, created in Pretoria, South Africa, showing hands cutting reflective card material for a handmade trophy mould, focusing on practical construction and early product testing.

Studio Process for Gravitas Academic Monument

Studio process image showing the cutting and adjustment stage of the handmade mould prototype.



Process photograph by Pieter Lategan, Silent Monumentalism, handmade prototype detail, 2026, created in Pretoria, South Africa, showing hands cutting and preparing card material for a trophy mould, focusing on manual process, structure and material experimentation.

Gravitas Trophy Mould Material Study

Hand-Cut Prototype Detail for Trophy Base



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Notes:

“This study documents the early development of a mould and base system for the Gravitas Academic Monument, a school trophy concept by Pieter Lategan | STUDIO. The process explores plastic, cement, weight, structure and material presence as part of Silent Monumentalism.”


Gravitas Academic Monument — Process Series

This page forms part of a continuing sketchbook and process archive for the Gravitas Academic Monument — Best Academic Achiever of the Year, a school trophy concept by Pieter Lategan | STUDIO, Pretoria, South Africa.

For the wider studio framework, see Silent Monumentalism principles and Gravitas as a discipline within Silent Monumentalism.

Related archive: Silent Monumentalism Online Handbook.

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Location: Pretoria, South Africa