AREA Summer Workshop Returning for Round 2
Last summer, students enrolled in an architectural research workshop called AREA visited town to research and build with adobe, the ancient building method which is indigenous to Marfa. In the process, a 90-year-old adobe house was simultaneously photographed, analyzed, added to, and even deconstructed in the pursuit. (Hey, if the house's wood floors have to be butchered in the pursuit of knowledge, so be it.) The kids are returning for Round Two of the project this summer from June 1st to July 1st.AREA, which is an acronym of Activisim Research Experimentation and Architecture, is led by Professor Ronald Rael of the Clemson University School of Architecture, and enrollment is open to all students of architecture and related fields (on a competitive basis.) Go to AREA.
posted by Mark permanent link
5 Comments:
I noticed the adobe house used for this event last year is currently on the market for sale. Will there be a new location this year? Was the owner of the house disappointed with the conceptual construction / deconstruction that took place at the property she graciously offered for the location of the workshop last year?
Anonymous,
The first question is something Prof. Rael can answer, actually that goes for both questions. I've heard that the house owner was definitely surprised, if not disappointed (and ticked off), when she discovered how the adobe research somehow manifested itself in the removal of her floors...
By the way, you don't have to post anonymously. You can fill in a name (even a fake one if you must) when you post here (without signing up for blogger.)
The AREA 2005 program in Marfa has been cancelled for this year. The owner, Ms. Simone Swan, once again graciously offered the location, however, I did not advertise the program to schools nationally and internationally as I did last year, resulting in fewer responses from students. To my knowledge, the removal of the rotten plywood and wood floors was not a concern, but I can understand how the actions that were taken on the house could be seen as controversial. Based on the rising costs of real estate discussed in a recent New York Times article and the city's plan to enforce permitting and building codes, such unencumbered freedom of architectural experimentation may not be possible again, but we were grateful for the opportunity.
Thanks for the update Prof R. - Sorry to hear that the AREA program will not be happening this year. I think Marfa is still ripe for experimentation; it is not that restrictive.. yet(?).
Ahhh, the floors were rotten anyway. Thanks for clearing that up, seems that crucial bit of info didn't make the rumor rounds.
Yes, sorry to hear you will not be back this year. i really enjoyed the project and the focus on ideas, exploration, and the interaction & energy of the students. maybe in the fall or next year
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