Research

My research interests are broad, but ultimately come back to the concept of regionalism. For a long time, I have been interested in architecture that is rooted in place – defined by local context and regional influences. This interest has informed and influenced my work over the years toward more sustainable thinking and design, which proves to be a very natural fit to me. However, this type of thinking and working has transcended the practice of architecture and become part of my lifestyle. Buying food from local farmers, raising backyard chickens and beekeeping are all manifestations of this growing interest in the collective wisdom of people in a particular place and time. What in the world does this have to do with architecture or architectural research? There is a direct correlation between the places we make and the community we experience, and architects should be championing the meaningful development of both.

There are several criteria in the Tenure & Promotion Guidelines, including those added by the Department of Art & Design, related to research. I’ve identified the following criteria that relate directly to the research I’ve completed:

  • Writing/obtaining grants
  • Pedagogical research
  • Creative exploration and productivity.
    • grants received in support of this production

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT – GHOST LAB

Architecture tells a story. The stories are a reflection of culture, social structures, people, history, environment, landscape, and so on. Like most stories, architecture is both personal and communal – private and shared. One experience that has improved my storytelling vastly, and has been incredibly formative in my development as a teacher and practitioner, was the 12th Ghost International Architectural Workshop (simply known as Ghost). This workshop is the research arm of MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and was created by architect Brian MacKay-Lyons, an internationally acclaimed architect, in the mid-90s as a response to the state of architectural education. MacKay-Lyons felt students of architecture were too far removed from understanding how buildings are made in response to the history, culture, materials and people of a particular place. His desire was to return to an apprenticeship model where the teacher and student work closely to design and build something together. In MacKay-Lyons’ view, the process of building is as instrumental – if not more – in understanding how to be an architect as sitting at a drafting table or computer and “visualizing” a design.

Ghost is a two-week workshop attended by students, practitioners and educators, and led by MacKay-Lyons, a highly regarded visiting architect, an architectural critic and a construction expert. Admittance to the program is completed through a peer review process and is highly competitive, drawing applications from around the world. Each applicant is required to submit a letter of intent along with a portfolio representing their body of work, which is evaluated by MacKay-Lyons and his colleagues for selection to the workshop. Architectural Record, one of the top American magazines dedicated to architecture and interior design, referred to the Ghost Lab as a “kind of elite and magical summer camp” in an online article published on Feb. 24, 2011. During the first week of the workshop, there is an emphasis on becoming familiar with the nature of the place – a small inlet located in Upper Kingsburg, Nova Scotia. This process includes studying the landscape, history, cultural anthropology, materials, trades and attitudes. The first week is also dedicated to the collaborative design of a new project with MacKay-Lyons and visiting architect Peter Stutchbury of Melbourne, Australia providing guidance. The second week is dedicated to the construction of the project. During construction, design decisions previously made are altered and adapted to the conditions present on-site. All of this is done with a group of 20 – 25 people working together to expedite the process, similar to that of an Amish barn raising.

I learned about Ghost while I was a graduate student and was intrigued by this small architecture workshop by the sea. It seemed like a great opportunity to further ground the understanding of building, both as noun and verb. The experience left an indelible mark on me. Sure, I learned a lot about the process of design and construction, but what was unexpected was the formation of a community, albeit temporary, that had a common purpose and goal. This small community that formed for two weeks on the coast of Nova Scotia contributed to the narrative of the region through the creation of a simple structure.

INVENTORY OF RESEARCH (in reverse chronological order)
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MODELING INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY
Research Project // North America / 2012

Description: In 2011, Dr. Monty Lynn (COBA), Dr. Kent Smith (GST) and I applied for, and were subsequently awarded, Adams Center Summer Stipends (see below) to pursue research in intentional communities. The three of us had worked together previously at a holistic mission workshop at ACU’s Rhoden farm, and through several conversations each of us expressed an interest in the topic of intentional community. At the beginning of the research, we anticipated approaching the research from three separate, but related angles. Kent was going to investigate the spiritual/social rhythms and commitments that nurture community, Monty the economic, financing and work arrangements facilitating community, and I was to look at the physical arrangements that foster community. In preparation for our trips to various communities across North America, we spent the spring 2012 semester developing a list of assets we observed all communities shared to some extent. From this list, we created a series of prompts that would guide our conversations with community members. The goal of the research from the beginning was to provide an educational resource that illustrated the broad spectrum of intentional communities and intentional Christian communities across North America.

Our research team visited twelve unique intentional communities, from the east to west and north to south, during the summer of 2012. We logged thousands of travel miles and conducted hours of interviews. Once we finished with the travel and interview process, we coded the research data, interpreted the findings and edited over 20 hours of footage down to around 90 minutes. At the conclusion of the project, we had produced seven separate videos that give voice to the communities, their values and beliefs, and created a website to serve as a resource for those curious about intentional community, those actively pursuing the development of an intentional community, as well as those invested in a community already. >> Link to MIC website 

Tenure & Promotion Criteria: Pedagogical research

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ADAMS CENTER SUMMER STIPEND – MODELING INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY
Research Funding // Abilene, Tx / Jan. 2012

Description: Through a competitive application process, I received one of five grants from ACU’s Adams Center for the Modeling Intentional Community research project. Co-researcher, Dr. Monty Lynn (COBA) received one of the grants as well awarding our project with two of the five grants available.

Tenure & Promotion Criteria: Writing/obtaining grants

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GHOST INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURAL LABORATORY (HIGHLIGHT ABOVE)
Research & Workshop // Upper Kingsburg, Nova Scotia, Canada / June 5-19, 2010

IMG_5277

Description: Participated as a leader in a two-week design/build program contributing to the design and construction of a boat house. Acceptance to the workshop was through a competitive application and portfolio review. Received funding through an ACU Adams Center summer stipend (see following). More information in the “Research Highlight” heading above. >> Link to work / Link to Ghost 12 film 

Tenure & Promotion Criteria: Pedagogical research, documentation of creative productivity, and grants received in support of this production.

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ADAMS CENTER SUMMER STIPEND – GHOST LAB
Research Funding // Abilene, Tx / Jan. 2010

Description: Through a competitive application process, I received a one of five grants from ACU’s Adams Center to participate in the 12th Ghost International Architectural Laboratory.

Tenure & Promotion Criteria: Writing/obtaining grants

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