The Ranch
Project Outline
- Design and Construction of a "Stewardship" Camp as a critical rural typology.
- Traditional Camp / Ranch Compound
- Exploration of primitive and low impact settlement and land occupation patterns.
In conjunction with timberland stewardship, the Ranch has evolved as a complex merging of the physical and tactical needs of habitat restoration, the opportunity to explore historic and primitive settlement patterns that typically can generate lower impacts, and the incentive of environmentally friendly and sustainable recreation.
The Ranch has evolved as a mountain cabin, remote field office, habitat restoration shop / headquarters and a place for people to learn the skills and pleasures of land stewardship.
In its emergent form, it combines traditional vernacular architecture of camp and ranch with low impact, low input settlement methods. It also serves as abridge for people who are unfamiliar with both back country and rural ways to embark on a journey of discovery.
The Ranch represents a positive statement about appropriate recreation: the notion of habitat protection and remediation as a recreational form of exercise, meditation, and interaction.
The Architecture is meant to bridge typical gaps as well. Not satisfied with the usual vernacular of sustainable forms, we sought to include the dimensions of time and memory in the design,. By choosing forms evocative of historic precedents for back country and rural buildings, we capture cultural memory and inspire a depth of time in the minds of those coming here.
Thus we have what appears to be a typical Forest Service cabin that many remember from youth. Yet it is partially below grade, powered by PV's, uses local spring water and local wood (from under story work) for heat.
The shop is entirely powered by PV's running a full suite of tools necessary for maintenance and operations.
External inputs are limited to propane (for refrigeration and some cooking) and groceries. Plans include experiments in sustainable farming consistent with the particulars of the landscape.
