ARCH 301 ArchXLandscape 2019
Corn Crib inspection with Mitchell Squire's "The Heaving Floor" 2005
Rhythm and Ritual I
We repeat these adjustments in concert with the unique rhythms of weather and climate in our particular settings. This repetition can give rise to rituals that feed our souls. These ritual acts of sheltering help explain who we are and where we are in the world. Their development can range from the spiritual to the material, from the hidden to the obvious, from the personal to the communal. Whatever the case, ritual imparts meaning to the ebb and flow of a place. - Ralph Knowles
One of the central challenges we face is contemporary life works contrary to establishing rituals, in particular ones based on natural rhythms. It is difficult to design when we lack the experiences, practices and habits that we need to draw on. Developing skills of listening and observation is a highly valuable and life-long practice for designers. We will to be self-aware of our own habits and a willingness to try dfferent perspectives.
Inquiry
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H. Skisstad and B. Welp.
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R. Kuswara and A. Ramos
D. Hunt and A. Bettis
L. Chen and Y. Choi
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J. Voss and P. Bishop
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B. Fransen and S. Nordmeyer.
Rhythm and Ritual I
Timothy Beatley writes, 'The essential histories that define a place are not just the built form or natural landscapes they are the meanings and particular human histories that personalize them. Every community has a rich history and many compelling stories to tell about its past and the former residents who lived, married, raised families, started businesses, and undertook community and civic projects..' R. Knowles.
Integration with landscape is one of the ways we can strive for architecture that helps root us in the rhythms that occur in place over time. If we embrace the conditions and rhythms of a particular site the architecture becomes part of a larger conversation rather than a monologue. We continue the exploration of ArchitectureXLandscape initiated in the prologue project in our second project located at the Westbrook Artists’ Site (WAS). Tim Ingold’s concept of the knot and creating conversations rather than assemblies is a strategic reference point. Brian Mackay-Lyons project Ghost, Ralph Knowles, book Ritual House and Michael Rotundi’s, essay, Its All One Thing are added points of reference in which we will continue to expand on the ideas of ArchitectureXLandscape.
WHILE SHELTERING THE BODY IS TRADITIONALLY ABOUT responding directly to nature, sheltering the mind and the heart can relate to elusive things or events. We may want to express power or wealth, cultural habits or beliefs, or aesthetics. These less tangible goals have both influenced and been influenced by the design of all types of buildings and our ritual passages through them. In a house, the rituals are often personal inventions as, for example, seasonally moving the porch table. RK
Ruth Kuswara and Ana Ramos
R i v e r P y r e I n s t a l l a t i o n
“ T h e F o o t p r i n t ”
We encountered an incident in the River Pyre site, where an American Basswood tree broke and laid a few feet above the ground, creating a natural boundary within the forest. Similar to the River Pyre’s purpose, we wanted to turn this incident purposeful. Our design consists of a path leading up to an “incident”. We did this to imply the idea of “humans walking on a story,” that is, most of the time, neglected. The path then leads up to a suspended “wall,” with a shallow passageway in the middle. Our installation serves as a built intervention that brings purpose to the unbuilt. It serves as a change to the normal ritual of people mindlessly walking through nature, to an integrate ritual of people intuitively
walking through nature, being aware that trees have identities too.
R i v e r P y r e I n s t a l l a t i o n
“ T h e F o o t p r i n t ”
We encountered an incident in the River Pyre site, where an American Basswood tree broke and laid a few feet above the ground, creating a natural boundary within the forest. Similar to the River Pyre’s purpose, we wanted to turn this incident purposeful. Our design consists of a path leading up to an “incident”. We did this to imply the idea of “humans walking on a story,” that is, most of the time, neglected. The path then leads up to a suspended “wall,” with a shallow passageway in the middle. Our installation serves as a built intervention that brings purpose to the unbuilt. It serves as a change to the normal ritual of people mindlessly walking through nature, to an integrate ritual of people intuitively
walking through nature, being aware that trees have identities too.
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Stevie Flores and John Bai - EXTENSION // INTENSIFY
Rhythms of: season change, nature; the rituals of small details such a place to step, sit , gather. and Overall focus on small details and architectural elements like thresholds.
Ling Chen and Younyoung Choi - Rhythm and Ritual I
We (Ling and Youn) use the prairies grass as the main material, not only because it is lightweight and easily to carry and assembly, but also, it is historical background and ecological value to the site. Tallgrass prairie once covered parts of 14 states in the Midwest, including about 85% of Iowa. Today, less than 0.1% of the original tallgrass prairies remains in Iowa. Native prairie is overwhelmingly rare in Iowa.
Native tall prairie grass has been replaced by non-native plants such as the Eurasian tall fescue grass and petroleum-based grains like corn. Prairies provide ecological diversity in contrast to unsustainable conventional agricultural practices. Moreover, tallgrass prairie is a fire-dependent ecosystem distinguished by tall grasses (up to 10 feet tall), and deep, rich soils. The prairie ecology was established over millennium through the native practices of burning to provide fertile soil and hunting opportunities.
Native tall prairie grass has been replaced by non-native plants such as the Eurasian tall fescue grass and petroleum-based grains like corn. Prairies provide ecological diversity in contrast to unsustainable conventional agricultural practices. Moreover, tallgrass prairie is a fire-dependent ecosystem distinguished by tall grasses (up to 10 feet tall), and deep, rich soils. The prairie ecology was established over millennium through the native practices of burning to provide fertile soil and hunting opportunities.
Fire is one of the most important forces at work on the prairie- without firs, the grasses and other fire-adapted prairie plants would shade out by trees. These annual fires also represent the nature rhythm and ritual. We installed two panels on the side, one would be in the Beaver Oxbow, one would be on the way to the Field Chapel
In our design development, we traced the sun path of a specific date, that we can observe the sun going down along the gap. To better understand the shadow ratio, we also did some physical test in the site. Different elevations have different shadow ratio at the same time. Also, the higher location always has the earlier sunset time. at the same time, the higher location has longer shadow than the lower location. In this way, we can observe the length of shadow to understand the thickness of the ground.
In our design development, we traced the sun path of a specific date, that we can observe the sun going down along the gap. To better understand the shadow ratio, we also did some physical test in the site. Different elevations have different shadow ratio at the same time. Also, the higher location always has the earlier sunset time. at the same time, the higher location has longer shadow than the lower location. In this way, we can observe the length of shadow to understand the thickness of the ground.
Hannah Skistad and Brian Welp - Rhythm and Ritual I: Field Chapel (1:1 Installation)
CONNECTION. MIGRATION. ELEVATION.
These three words sparked the ideas that lead to the creation of our installation that was focused on connections and pathways. With our implementation of the vertical, step-like structures, one is able to experience the connection between the River Pyre and Field Chapel in an unique way. Observation through being elevated above the prairie allows the viewer to see the connection between the sites and experience the beauty of the surrounding prairie, while creating the illusion of them walking on an otherwise unwalkable surface. The use of the path emphasizes the migration between the sites. The continual movement along the path creates a ritual of migration as well as a rhythm of differentiating elevations and experiences. While our 1 to 1 installation only had 8 posts and was sufficient in getting the viewer to the height of the top of the prairie, it lacked the rhythm and experience that we intended. In our new iteration, we increased the amount of posts to give the ascension a grander experience overall.
These three words sparked the ideas that lead to the creation of our installation that was focused on connections and pathways. With our implementation of the vertical, step-like structures, one is able to experience the connection between the River Pyre and Field Chapel in an unique way. Observation through being elevated above the prairie allows the viewer to see the connection between the sites and experience the beauty of the surrounding prairie, while creating the illusion of them walking on an otherwise unwalkable surface. The use of the path emphasizes the migration between the sites. The continual movement along the path creates a ritual of migration as well as a rhythm of differentiating elevations and experiences. While our 1 to 1 installation only had 8 posts and was sufficient in getting the viewer to the height of the top of the prairie, it lacked the rhythm and experience that we intended. In our new iteration, we increased the amount of posts to give the ascension a grander experience overall.
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Anthony Bettis and Davis Hunt - Wither "the fire rises"
The exploration of a hidden conversation... When the initial arrival to the site commenced, there was a focus to look to the ground for thickness. While that was noted, I looked for something deeper, and perhaps unseen for inspiration. The howling / silent / strong / absent wind made itself known as a hidden plane that manifested itself in different ways... There was a holistic connection between all the different “sites” due to this phenomena being present in all of them, although it seemed to wear
different masks. The wind presented itself in different ways in each site, but when focusing on River Pyre, seemed to revolve around this tunneling effect...
One aspect of experiencing wind was to visually view the effects that it had on something physical...
Ritual of experience... //
different masks. The wind presented itself in different ways in each site, but when focusing on River Pyre, seemed to revolve around this tunneling effect...
One aspect of experiencing wind was to visually view the effects that it had on something physical...
Ritual of experience... //
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Wind...
Prairie Burns...
To creative a collective holistic intervention one must look directly to the site for subtle answers. Observing what was presented, key notes were created that drove the production of the intervention.
“My challenge to designers is to acknowledge and celebrate the rhythmic nature of nature”
- Ralph L. Knowles
These notes focused on the rhythmic wind on site as well as the annual prairie burns that are affected by the rhythmic nature of the wind passing through. The River Pyre that was already on site possessed a program of a metabolic gathering site to observe a bonfire. The intervention that was installed
provided an exposed abstracted chimney that tied into the flow of the wind, and the fires that took place on site.
Prairie Burns...
To creative a collective holistic intervention one must look directly to the site for subtle answers. Observing what was presented, key notes were created that drove the production of the intervention.
“My challenge to designers is to acknowledge and celebrate the rhythmic nature of nature”
- Ralph L. Knowles
These notes focused on the rhythmic wind on site as well as the annual prairie burns that are affected by the rhythmic nature of the wind passing through. The River Pyre that was already on site possessed a program of a metabolic gathering site to observe a bonfire. The intervention that was installed
provided an exposed abstracted chimney that tied into the flow of the wind, and the fires that took place on site.
Strange Details... //
Merged within the landscape lies details beyond a glance. Not only that, but these details repeat themselves in unorthodox ways... Wind has an effect on everything on site. Whether its blowing
tiny seeds across the landscape which results in a spread of growth, or blowing over large trees resulting in damage to the site. The same effect is produced regardless of the scale of the object...
The wind is the underlying creator of the site. It is timeless and inevitable. With power unknown, what is known is what is observed. It’s power has carved the elevation of the landscape partnered with the power of the river slicing through the land. There is a story to be told at Westbrook Artist’s Site...
The wind acts in a cycle whether it be daily, seasonally, or annually. There is a transformation taking place through time and the intervention placed at River Pyre is a transformation in and of itself. The wood used to create the piece was transformed from its previous life nearby at the Field Chapel.
This burnt wood relates to this transformation yes, but also relates to the prairie burns that take place on site that heavily rely on the wind to be completed... To delve further into this detail, the progression of how burnt each individual piece of wood is ties into the characteristic of the rising of the fire and the smoke... The rotational aspect of the intervention pays homage to the tunneling effect produced at that site as well as how there are multiple planes working together at once...
Merged within the landscape lies details beyond a glance. Not only that, but these details repeat themselves in unorthodox ways... Wind has an effect on everything on site. Whether its blowing
tiny seeds across the landscape which results in a spread of growth, or blowing over large trees resulting in damage to the site. The same effect is produced regardless of the scale of the object...
The wind is the underlying creator of the site. It is timeless and inevitable. With power unknown, what is known is what is observed. It’s power has carved the elevation of the landscape partnered with the power of the river slicing through the land. There is a story to be told at Westbrook Artist’s Site...
The wind acts in a cycle whether it be daily, seasonally, or annually. There is a transformation taking place through time and the intervention placed at River Pyre is a transformation in and of itself. The wood used to create the piece was transformed from its previous life nearby at the Field Chapel.
This burnt wood relates to this transformation yes, but also relates to the prairie burns that take place on site that heavily rely on the wind to be completed... To delve further into this detail, the progression of how burnt each individual piece of wood is ties into the characteristic of the rising of the fire and the smoke... The rotational aspect of the intervention pays homage to the tunneling effect produced at that site as well as how there are multiple planes working together at once...
Rhythm and Ritual II
Rhythm and Ritual II address five sites at WAS. The challenge is to develop designs within each of the five sites as independent nodes as part of an integrated composite. Each site design is “in conversation” with at least the adjacent sites if not more. The relationship of architecture as emergent from the landscape should be well developed. From phase I of Rhythm and Ritual, the adaptations of migration,
transformation and metabolism continue as foundational design criteria.
transformation and metabolism continue as foundational design criteria.
Beaver Oxbow - Site I
Beaver Oxbow was once a cultivated field but changes to the river have let it go fallow and return to more of a wildlife haven. It is not a place for that welcomes human habitation but perhaps for contemplation or architectural critique.
River Pyre - Site II
See Rhythm and Ritual I. River Pyre is situated on a bend in Middle River leading to the Holliwell
Bridge and a corner of the west end (not technically but performs as the far west end of WAS). It is at a juncture of sectional change, erosion and flooding. The idea of River Pyre was to be a kind of escape, safe haven, or retreat from the world. However, the structure itself is remains inhabitable/unresolved. (A place of awareness and significance on the land between field and river.)
Bridge and a corner of the west end (not technically but performs as the far west end of WAS). It is at a juncture of sectional change, erosion and flooding. The idea of River Pyre was to be a kind of escape, safe haven, or retreat from the world. However, the structure itself is remains inhabitable/unresolved. (A place of awareness and significance on the land between field and river.)
Field Chapel - Site III
The Field Chapel (Max Mahaffey and Brian Moore, 2010) used the technique of shou sugi ban to create a weather protective surface to the wood. The charring of wood (more steps can be included) seems like an act of destruction (metabolism) but is one of conservation. The field itself is regularly burned in order to conserve the prairie. Charred wood creates a protective reaction in the wood that it can also withstand fire. The ritual of the FC also included solar orientation and heat gain. The FC is in a state of
significant transition. (A place of the prairie the renewal through fire.)
significant transition. (A place of the prairie the renewal through fire.)
Barn/crib - Site IV
The barn and crib are part of a transformation from the traditional agriculture practices of storing livestock fodder, equipment, livestock shelter and other assorted farm activities. Those activities also often included threshing floors in which ventilation was used to sort grain and chafe, ventilation walls that helped harvested grain to dry and allowing stored fodder to provide insulation and protection during winter months. The barn/crib support the activities of mushroom cultivation, honey production, wood mill (perhaps), and creative incubator. (A place of between agriculture past and present.)
Holliwell School - Site V
The school followed a daily migration of students from home to school. The migration was based on walking distances by the children. ere was a seasonal migration also based on the key periods of planting and harvesting. Thje Holliwell School is a ghost of pioneer life. The trees that are on the site are
evidence of a building that may have been abandoned for some period of time allowing young saplings to end refuge around a building. The site is a tie to the permanent displacement of native Americans and the arrival of European settlers. (A place of historic transformation by settlers and pioneer past.)
evidence of a building that may have been abandoned for some period of time allowing young saplings to end refuge around a building. The site is a tie to the permanent displacement of native Americans and the arrival of European settlers. (A place of historic transformation by settlers and pioneer past.)
Rhythm and Ritual II - Projects
Brenna Fransen and Sam Nordmeyer
The Iowa agricultural landscape is defined by a system of grids that flatten the overlooked thickness of the landform region. This language of thickness is a rhythmic exchange of growth and decay amongst an adaptable landscape. The Westbrook Artist Site distinguishes itself from this framework due to its rare native tallgrass prairie, privately managed forest, and access to a river which is a culmination of the thickness in this region.
Over the past century, these ecological elements have gone through monumental shifts in their
thickness due to human cultivation. Knowing the significance of what has occurred over time and
observing fluctuations in thickness is a fundamental part of improving this ecology. The river continues to go through transformations due to cycles of flooding and erosion which push back the loose soil towards the prairie. Seasonal changes within the tallgrass prairie follow various patterns of growth and requires attention by controlled prairie burns during periods of deprivation. The current management of trees has transformed from gaps in the canopy and fragmented vegetation to a lush composition of species.
Over the past century, these ecological elements have gone through monumental shifts in their
thickness due to human cultivation. Knowing the significance of what has occurred over time and
observing fluctuations in thickness is a fundamental part of improving this ecology. The river continues to go through transformations due to cycles of flooding and erosion which push back the loose soil towards the prairie. Seasonal changes within the tallgrass prairie follow various patterns of growth and requires attention by controlled prairie burns during periods of deprivation. The current management of trees has transformed from gaps in the canopy and fragmented vegetation to a lush composition of species.
Architecture is meant to act as a means of drawing spaces and framing instances which bring to light the already existing language of thickness. The introduction of new architecture invites people to the site to observe and participate in maintaining thickness through both the observation and interaction of maintaining the healthy ecology of the site. These newly established compositions create an opportunity for the occupants to engage, collect, and develop an investigation to lead further advancement of improving the land. Nodes formed from these investigations create hubs of collective knowledge on cycles and systems for future mitigations. Movements through these nodes, now aligned to the natural rhythms open up a dialogue of a direct involvement in space for the architecture to be of use. Continually returning to the architecture is an integral part of giving back to the land and is essential for sustaining its thickness.
Anthony Bettis and Davis Hunt -
Our goal is to create a holistic language. If there was a separation of artistic language from project
to project then a whole aspect of the dialogue was missing... Glimpses of this thread can be traced throughout the entirety of the work embedded within strange details... The connection and communication from work displayed from start to finish proved in and of itself the progression and development of an individual architectural evolution and growth ...
The first thread can be detected in the Prologue Project Between Earth and Sky Act III where pictures of shadows were used to create an effect that could be used to manifest a volumetric space. In the second act of Rhythm and Ritual, all of the interventions that were placed there were to create the effect of the wind, rather than just focusing on the form itself... In the beginning of the semester, there was a desire to search and uncover what was hidden within the thickness of the abandoned stair case... the imprints that beings left / the effects left from weathering / the density of time... But at the end of the semester, there was a desire to hide where the acoustic effect was coming from in the Holliwell School site, the Corn Crib, and the Beaver Oxbow to convey a hidden message just like there was an
investigation of a hidden conversation... rhythm and ritual... //
to project then a whole aspect of the dialogue was missing... Glimpses of this thread can be traced throughout the entirety of the work embedded within strange details... The connection and communication from work displayed from start to finish proved in and of itself the progression and development of an individual architectural evolution and growth ...
The first thread can be detected in the Prologue Project Between Earth and Sky Act III where pictures of shadows were used to create an effect that could be used to manifest a volumetric space. In the second act of Rhythm and Ritual, all of the interventions that were placed there were to create the effect of the wind, rather than just focusing on the form itself... In the beginning of the semester, there was a desire to search and uncover what was hidden within the thickness of the abandoned stair case... the imprints that beings left / the effects left from weathering / the density of time... But at the end of the semester, there was a desire to hide where the acoustic effect was coming from in the Holliwell School site, the Corn Crib, and the Beaver Oxbow to convey a hidden message just like there was an
investigation of a hidden conversation... rhythm and ritual... //
the Field Chapel - Site II
The Field Chapel is located on an open prairie field with high concentrations of wind. This site highlights a node of intersection and communication between two gestural planes which create a complex
relationship between each other. The way of highlighting this is to ground you with the landscape which collaterally results in the wind following in the same manner. The communication between the wind plane and ground plane reveals an interstitial thickness that is yet to be discovered. The hidden
conversation is the focus and highlight of this intervention... The intervention produces a rustling noise due to beads inside of a hollowed modular structure. These modules are aligned on a central
spinal structure that matches the current shape of the path on site. The modules are balanced on this spine which allows the wind to pass through and move the module to one side, resulting in a rain stick
effect which collectively produces a holistic rustling / crackling effect. This sound relates to the ritual prairie burns that take place on site as well as the rustling of the prairie grass when wind passes through it. This intervention blends space and instrument to communicate as one and reveal a hidden pulse and conversation that is present...
relationship between each other. The way of highlighting this is to ground you with the landscape which collaterally results in the wind following in the same manner. The communication between the wind plane and ground plane reveals an interstitial thickness that is yet to be discovered. The hidden
conversation is the focus and highlight of this intervention... The intervention produces a rustling noise due to beads inside of a hollowed modular structure. These modules are aligned on a central
spinal structure that matches the current shape of the path on site. The modules are balanced on this spine which allows the wind to pass through and move the module to one side, resulting in a rain stick
effect which collectively produces a holistic rustling / crackling effect. This sound relates to the ritual prairie burns that take place on site as well as the rustling of the prairie grass when wind passes through it. This intervention blends space and instrument to communicate as one and reveal a hidden pulse and conversation that is present...
Corn crib - Site III
The Corn Crib is a passage space that used to be used for drying corn. It creates this natural wind tunnel through the interior with added effects of lighting due to the craft of the exterior facades. The design proposed highlights the whistling sounds which travel through the structure. Acoustic instruments were created that can be manipulated depending on the users needs and desires. The apertures present between each crafted wood plank would be utilized to allow this installation to work.
Differently constructed whistles were created and tested to create individual pitches and a unified harmony to reflect the specific site. Whistles at different sizes produced different pitches and these
modules were aligned on top of each other to create a progression of notes which when harmonized together, created a melodic symphony. The human interaction is the driving force of this installation. A
louvered system is present on the East and West facades that allows the group of instruments to either move up or down, either producing sound or not producing sound, depending on the users needs or
desires.
Since high winds travel through this specific site from the North-West during Winter, the West facade caters to this effect while this system is reciprocated on the East facade to cater to the high winds coming through the site during the Summer from the South-East... This installation is a spatial experience and the movement throughand around the site is always in motion and is always changing...
Differently constructed whistles were created and tested to create individual pitches and a unified harmony to reflect the specific site. Whistles at different sizes produced different pitches and these
modules were aligned on top of each other to create a progression of notes which when harmonized together, created a melodic symphony. The human interaction is the driving force of this installation. A
louvered system is present on the East and West facades that allows the group of instruments to either move up or down, either producing sound or not producing sound, depending on the users needs or
desires.
Since high winds travel through this specific site from the North-West during Winter, the West facade caters to this effect while this system is reciprocated on the East facade to cater to the high winds coming through the site during the Summer from the South-East... This installation is a spatial experience and the movement throughand around the site is always in motion and is always changing...
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Ling Chen and Youn Choi
Holliwell School - Site V
Holliwell school is the highest point of entry WAS. We took this geography advantage to design a shelter with a walkable roof as the public observation area. Visitors can obverse the human activity that happens on the other site. For example, visitor can see the framing activities in the barn, and also can see the burning of prairies in the Field Chapel in fall
Holliwell school is the highest point of entry WAS. We took this geography advantage to design a shelter with a walkable roof as the public observation area. Visitors can obverse the human activity that happens on the other site. For example, visitor can see the framing activities in the barn, and also can see the burning of prairies in the Field Chapel in fall
Stevie Flores and John Bai - Shift and Lengthen
Rhythm: characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements. Flexible branches swaying in the breeze,in particular, building construction, season change, and nature
embraces the existing conversation of contemplation,and observation of nature. extending and continuing the existing language.
embraces the existing conversation of contemplation,and observation of nature. extending and continuing the existing language.
Ritual: being influence by rhythm Our proposal becomes complementary, and in part critiques the rhythms of building construction of the five sites //Changes based on peoples needs, the program becomes an extension of each individual site, therefore make each space lend its self to the landscape and architecture there.
Instead of putting various buildings on five sites, root the building into the slope of forest near barn which complements and breaks the stereotype of the flat ground of the middle west. Meanwhile, using metabolism and transformation build different programs to emphasis the characteristics of sites; using the Carlo Scarpa’s "strange details" and Midwest architectural language brings diversity to the site and extend the life of the place.
Using the word shift as a keyword, all the work and layout contains some sort of shift. in this case it was a shift in conversation, we wanted to add diversity, and add on top of the overlooked or ignored. adding to what we know , and breaking the stereotypes and stigmas of the Midwest. Reflect and add. through small details and people needs.
Our proposal uses the rhythms of season change , the strategy of metabolism to begin to add and extend to the existing rituals : fire, community, reading, self-contemplation, observation of nature, mushroom cultivation, shelter for future students, preparation, storage, meditation.
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Hannah Skistand and Brian Welp
River Pyre - Site II
For the River Pyre site, used the existing structure and original purpose which was a place to be alone, to contemplate, to rest, and be revived. This is not a permanent place to stay, but rather a monument to the impulse to reside in nature while wrapped in the safety of warmth and light. Adding a floor and a roof so one is able to sit and rest there and to take in the views of the prairie from one side and the river on the other was one design addition. River Pyre is located just before that path to the river begins, there is natural landing that hosts a few large pieces of driftwood that settled there from past flood waters - which gives way to the connection River Pyre has to the Beaver Oxbow site. One experiences the connection to the Beaver Oxbow site through the sight line, as well as the physical nature beneath the River Pyre itself. The Field Chapel is in view across the prairie through the created path allows for the connection into the prairie itself where you are able to observe the wildlife and other seasonal rhythms.
For the River Pyre site, used the existing structure and original purpose which was a place to be alone, to contemplate, to rest, and be revived. This is not a permanent place to stay, but rather a monument to the impulse to reside in nature while wrapped in the safety of warmth and light. Adding a floor and a roof so one is able to sit and rest there and to take in the views of the prairie from one side and the river on the other was one design addition. River Pyre is located just before that path to the river begins, there is natural landing that hosts a few large pieces of driftwood that settled there from past flood waters - which gives way to the connection River Pyre has to the Beaver Oxbow site. One experiences the connection to the Beaver Oxbow site through the sight line, as well as the physical nature beneath the River Pyre itself. The Field Chapel is in view across the prairie through the created path allows for the connection into the prairie itself where you are able to observe the wildlife and other seasonal rhythms.
Barn/Crib - Site IV
The Barn/Crib site which is located on the northwestern side of WAS. There are two buildings closely set; the barn, which is currently used as a workshop/studio, and the corn crib which was previously used for storing grain, but since 2005 houses the installation “The Heaving Floor” by Mitchell Squire. There is additional storage that is lightly accessed in the crib. About 150 yards southeast of the site is a honeybee yard. We noticed the importance that these bees as pollinators, but there is little space dedicated specifically to them and the activities needed to maintain them. Our proposal converts the corn crib as a dedicated place for the storage and extraction of honey and other bee products. The design for the crib was inspired by the re-use of the structures program throughout its lifetime. The crib is an open structure which, when it was used primarily for grain storage, allowed air flow throughout to keep the grain dry. We embrace the cribs openness and pull and push the materials as if they are returning to nature. Using materials that were already there to create a new feeling and use of the space while maintaining the original aspects of the structure.
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Holliwell School - Site V
The Holliwell School site is currently a grass cut out in the side of the prairie where campers are parked for hunting season. The proposed intervention on this site is to create a pollinator garden for the bees. After researching top plants and trees for pollination, we are planting an assortment of them that are native to our area, or the temperate province, which includes (Illinois, Iowa, Missouri). A couple examples are oak and magnolia trees, sunflowers and black-eyed susans. We discovered the rhythms and paths that bees travel through the air traveling from flower to flower which inspired the shape of our planted pollinators.
