Chicken Candids

The chickens on campus recently got moved to a new location. This is good news because it means I can spend more time hanging out with them. I am sure this will be installment one of the chicken candid series.

Design Parallel Build

In the early sixties, David Sellers and a few Yale classmates came to the Mad River Valley to do architecture a little differently than what they learned in school. They approached building and design as two works in progress, simultaneously. This was the beginning of the design/build movement. The Tack house (above: photo credit, Mike Ives), built with salvaged materials, was the first of its kind, but a kind all by itself. Below is the Pyramid House, which was claimed to have no drawings ever made for its construction.
This movement led to other architectural experiments in the area. Built by William MaClay, Jim Sanford, and Richard Travers, "The Dimetrodon" (below) was inspired by the ridge-backed dinosaur of the same name that used its back skin surface to absorb energy from the sun to keep itself warm all day. What can't be seen in the photo is the other side of the house that once housed solar panels to heat the houses. This apartment complex was built in order to create affordable houses that had minimal impact on the land and emphasized building a community.

Treasure Hunting Part I

Ahh, its yard sale, flea market and antiquing season. Now with access to a woodshop and being surrounded by creative people, I am feeling the need to make. I was down in MA for the weekend and decided to take a peak at some places.I might be back for this guy. I just wasn't in the mood to bargain with the shopkeeper at that moment. Please note the deer's tongue sticking out. I also remembered that I had these gems in the basement at my Mom's. Not exactly sure what they were used for in the factories; the guy I bought them from wasn't entirely sure either. Future light fixtures maybe?

Summer Schedule

As an intern, I am able to take a week of classes and weekend of classes for every month I am here. My schedule is almost set for the summer (variation may differ later due to availability):

Permaculture Certificate
Rustic Furniture
Concrete Countertops
Heavyweight Boxmaking
Art of Stone
Carpentry for Women
Invisible Structures
Wind Power
Mosaics
Stained Glass
Skin on Frame Kayak

I will be sure to keep updates on my projects and experiences. Definitely excited to get busy.

Treehouse Design for All

Yestermorrow is home to the first universally accessible treehouse, a collaboration with YM founder John Connell, arborist Bill de Vos, in partnership with Forever Young Treehouses and built by students. "A treehouse is a wonderfully clear and concise example of all that is essential in sustainable design. Either we build with an understanding of the natural systems that support our architecture, or those natural systems will be compromised," Connell said of the design. The design minimizes straight lines to blend more in nature, built entirely out of wood, utilizes a minimally invasive attachment system, and can fit up to 8 wheelchairs inside the structure.

Summer Lecture Series Announced

Yestermorrow's Summer Lecture Series begins June 16 and runs every Wednesday through August 18 at 7PM. Should be some great talks on design experiments and process, sustainability, and best practices for reducing the environmental footprint from the built environment.

20 x 20

Pecha Kucha, pecha whatcha? 20 images, 20 seconds a slide. Efficient and effective format to see a diverse amount of work and experiences within a short period of time. This format is not enough time for the presenters to run out of things to say, and just enough time to cut off the ramblers and people who think they have a lot to say. Fantastic.

Descending on Mad River Valley

Monday marked the beginning of my summer spent alongside the Green Mountains in Vermont. For the next five months I will be interning at Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Warren and exploring design, sustainability, and the community along the Mad River....or, heck, who knows.

Grains of wood, food, photos, and design.