The idea of the building reflecting the story that takes place within it originated with this piece of wood found on the site. During a second site visit I used this fallen tree limb as a walking stick. The area I used as a handle has since been sanded to a comfortable fit while the rest of the stick tells the story of how it was torn from its original place in the tree and the base carries the story of each contact with the ground beneath me as I walked along.
These are final images of the second draft of the model without the surrounding trees (the line of the trees starts roughly level with the front face of the "tower". The idea of the harvesting to collation process being gradual with the space gradually gathering the Carpenter from the forest remains however now the spaces for collection are defined by the structure. As the process progresses the volumes become purer and more defined as a reflection of the process itself. This volume is supported by an external frame as covered in the previous post.
This is beginning of my second development model of the Carpenter's element in the community. This solid base (initially envisaged as built from local stone similar to the vernacular housing) will act as the Carpenter's dwelling and have the characteristics laid out in the previously posted narratives.
Constructed above this will be a volume that defines the progression from the crafting of the material at the rear portion of the volume towards the distribution at the front. They meet at the tall space which reflects the meeting of the horizontal nature of the process and the verticality of the trees in the vicinity. This volume also allows the space to be lit from above reflecting light down into the space.
This volume would then be supported by an external structural frame that would allow the volume to be pure simple as well as providing a frame onto which a layer of cladding that could provide shade to certain areas or privacy in others. These are ideas that need further exploration.
From the public entrance the space will be low and dark which will lead to the bright space that the space focuses on which will suddenly soar upwards towards the crafting process and beyond to the canopy and sky above.
A Carpenter was one day walking through a woodland appreciating the beautiful surroundings, from the strong gnarled roots to the delicate tips of the trees fluttering in the breeze. As he walked amongst the natural colonnades he heard an argument from deep within the forest. Curious, he wandered through denser foliage in search of the disturbance to his peace.
It soon became apparent that the deep booming voices had come from the trees themselves. An Oak was arguing heatedly with a Scots Pine about how their brothers had been exploited and their cousins murdered. The Scots Pine retorted that it was necessary to share their gifts with the world despite the sacrifice that had to be made. The Oak disagreed and thought that no good could come from interaction with the little hairy moving trees.
Upon seeing the carpenter approach the two trees stopped arguing and turned their attention to him. The Oak was immediately angered and claimed the Carpenter had come to claim them for his own and destroy the woodland but the Carpenter quickly calmed him claiming he had no such intention and hoped that he could help their situation.
He laid out to them his plans to build a bridge between the forest and the humans in the clearing who wished to use it. The bridge would halt those who wished to purely take what they wanted from the woodland but allow what was needed to pass freely in both directions. The Carpenter offered to act as the guardian of this link so that he could protect the forest and teach the people how to nurture it and hone the gifts it gave them.
Cynical, the Oak questioned the Carpenter saying that this bridge would no doubt have to take the place of some of his cousins who guarded the forest boundaries and interrupt the rhythm of the wood; but the Carpenter disagreed saying that the bridge would be inconspicuous from the trees but stand as a beacon of knowledge to the people who wish to learn the forests stories.
In return the Carpenter only asked of the forest that he could walk freely through the forest, harvest only what was needed, return that which was unused, have support from the trees themselves and trust him to do what was necessary to allow the forest to grow and share its story with the world.
With the whole of the forest glad of the Carpenters help they began to build the bridge into the clearing with trees offering their columns and limbs where they might hold firm this bridge. Others offered shade where it was needed, privacy where it was desired and beauty where it was yearned for. The trees opened before the bridge to reveal the wonder of the view in the distance and the trees saw the people approaching to celebrate their story.
Both this narrative and the model need further refinement with more in depth research into the process of harvesting woodland and carpentry in general needing to be considered. A further idea currently being explored is the reflection of the buildings and it's materials story in their form and the occupants experience. In addition to this I hope to establish a more coherent and working structural system, develop the day lighting/passive heating strategy and in general tie the narratives written (and their refinements) more closely with the resulting building.
This narrative acts as a description of the spaces and places experienced by the Carpenter as he goes through his working rituals:
Gifts from the woodland drawn, nurtured, trimmed, gathered and harvested. Exposed to the resistance offered by the woodland, the carpenter takes only the necessities while returning carefully to the soil enough for the life he depends on to continue. All that is received is carried discreetly through the forest as a path gradually appears leading the way home.
Traces of the carpenters life here begin to emerge from the forest, signals underfoot, clues growing from the earth, the concentrated aroma of the forest. The branches grow denser overhead and the forest becomes darker as a place appears in the forest where its products rest; maturing, hardening, growing. Collated and recorded they wait.
Through the darkness comes a light simplicity barely scarcely touching the earth. Neutrality allows the richness to radiate joyfulness. Openness and infinity is framed, the forest infiltrating subtly from the background. Tools hang delicately from the walls reflecting the changing light with their own character. A cooling breeze purifying the air drifts through and away. The essence of the space captured through its fruits.
A shift occurs. Isolation gives way to openness and welcomes listeners and readers. Light floods the place, allowing clarity of thought, vision and expression. The space opens to those willing to make the journey there.
Unknown to many there sits above a place of privacy and thought that is removed from the procession made below but can study and reflect on it and how it relates to the carpenter himself.
