Catfish Country

As we begin to move further into the projects, the complexities of a design+build process start to manifest themselves even more, a pattern that I am sure will continue throughout the semester as our investigations bring us to new levels of enlightenment about ourselves and our roles as architects. The way that we graft a new "organism" into the existing fabric of that community must be delicate and must be approached with an attitude of genuine stewardship. Our discoveries can be compared to those of technological developers in that to be able to operate efficiently we will rely on the progress made by other academic design+build endeavors; the Cumulative Property of Technology. One of the most notable in the US is the Rural Studio in Newbern Alabama.

On Thursday, January 24th, 2008 the Stewardship South Studio traveled to Newbern to experience the way in which the Rural Studio approaches design+build first hand. Upon arrival the most astonishing aspect of the program is the magnitude of the remote location. The word rural is almost an understatement when comparing what could be labeled rural and Newbern. It was incredible how humble the place was with an undeniable disregard to its national reputation. There was nothing cutting edge about the facilities but instead they possessed an unusually rugged atmosphere. I almost wondered if the students were aware of exactly what they were getting themselves into when they applied. Before seeing the work the studio produces, I thought the students may have been a little disappointed with the resources upon arrival. But in hindsight, the aesthetic and program of Newbern is probably crucial to the bond between the students and the work produced there. Rather than a single building with a different rooms, the Rural Studio constitutes and entire rural community in which different buildings along a central thruway house the different components of a "studio facility." I think this emphasizes the ability to work within a community while being conscious and aware of the consequences of each implementation.

While I have been left with much to ponder since returning from Alabama, most of which concerns how the studio responds to those who feel they have the priviledge to impose expectations upon it, I will reserve those thoughts until I have had a chance to further digest them.