Architecture of a Latent Culture: Growing a Place of Memory Emily Bews Advisor: Terri Fuglem In a world pressured by global influences and constant mobility, can individual cultures and regions continue to thrive? Some scholars believe that a strong locality depends on a combination of the unique conditions of the immediate place, the revival of ordinary but latent cultural practices, and the careful adoption of selected global influences 1 . Local architecture is not an aesthetic style, but rather an all encompassing mindset, which enables the determination of the appropriate program, orientation, materials etc. for each building. Regional architecture acts critically on the site and culture it is placed within, becoming a physical commentary of the surroundings. The underlying objective of the thesis is the creation of a design process, one which can be applied to produce local architecture. The project uses the re-presentation of the past history as a fundamental component of local design. To formulate and evaluate the method of designing, an architectural project for Winnipeg’s former Stock Yards was created. The method employed on the site first included an archaeological study. Secondly, the site underwent a process of rejuvenation through the creation of devices to prepare the site spiritually and physically for future development. A trace of an old wooden fence on the existing site, was transformed into a device to seed the land, transforming the earth into pastures (as seen in the image). Similarly, an exposed concrete pile from the original Stock Yard infrastructure was converted into a water collection device. The intention of the interventions was to reanimate the site through the reintroduction of everyday or cyclical rituals. The final step in generating a local architecture will include the design and implementation of usable structures. Due to the site existing as a threshold within the city, the site is unable to be termed residential or industrial. The program chosen thus embodies the critical question of what the current society requires from an area which divides the act of living from the act of production. The site will be transformed into an urban farm, however, not in the traditional sense of the term, offering the opportunity to critique the modern act of agricultural production, as well as the role of society within that industry. The thesis question was one which architects and critics have explored throughout history. The research delves into the work of key figures such as Kenneth Frampton, David Leatherbarrow, and Michel de Certeau. 1. Canizaro, Vincent B, ed. Architectural Regionalism: Collected Writings on Place, Identity, Modernity, and Tradition. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2007.

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Architecture of a Latent Culture: Growing a Place of Memory

Emily BewsAdvisor: Terri Fuglem

In a world pressured by global influences and constant mobility, can individual cultures and regions continue to thrive? Some scholars believe that a strong locality depends on a combination of the unique conditions of the immediate place, the revival of ordinary but latent cultural practices, and the careful adoption of selected global influences1. Local architecture is not an aesthetic style, but rather an all encompassing mindset, which enables the determination of the appropriate program, orientation, materials etc. for each building. Regional architecture acts critically on the site and culture it is placed within, becoming a physical commentary of the surroundings. The underlying objective of the thesis is the creation of a design process, one which can be applied to produce local architecture. The project uses the re-presentation of the past history as a fundamental component of local design. To formulate and evaluate the method of designing, an architectural project for Winnipeg’s former Stock Yards was created.

The method employed on the site first included an archaeological study. Secondly, the site underwent a process of rejuvenation through the creation of devices to prepare the site spiritually and physically for future development. A trace of an old wooden fence on the existing site, was transformed into a device to seed the land, transforming the earth into pastures (as seen in the image). Similarly, an exposed concrete pile from the original Stock Yard infrastructure was converted into a water collection device. The intention of the interventions was to reanimate the site through the reintroduction of everyday or cyclical rituals.

The final step in generating a local architecture will include the design and implementation of usable structures. Due to the site existing as a threshold within the city, the site is unable to be termed residential or industrial. The program chosen thus embodies the critical question of what the current society requires from an area which divides the act of living from the act of production. The site will be transformed into an urban farm, however, not in the traditional sense of the term, offering the opportunity to critique the modern act of agricultural production, as well as the role of society within that industry.

The thesis question was one which architects and critics have explored throughout history. The research delves into the work of key figures such as Kenneth Frampton, David Leatherbarrow, and Michel de Certeau.

1. Canizaro, Vincent B, ed. Architectural Regionalism: Collected Writings on Place, Identity, Modernity, and Tradition. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2007.