Natural Habitats
The experimental buildings on Shoal Lake are featured in the recently published Cabin, Cottage & Camp: New Designs on the Canadian Landscape, a thoughtful compendium of contemporary “homes away” that—despite wildly different scales and budgets—all share an intimate relationship with the wilderness.
Herbert Enns used the opportunity to write an accompanying essay that explores, among other things, the psychic and environmental costs of even the gentlest intrusion on the land: “To cut Douglas fir plywood—to cut down a Douglas fir tree, to clear-cut first-growth forest, to cut down the coastal range—in order to configure a place of serenity in the wild is barbaric, unsophisticated, primitive, and violent. Construction is violent in almost every possible dimension. Some think it to be the spiritual essence of architecture. I do not. Its violence may be natural and necessary . . . but at incalculable costs. . . .
“Thankfully, violence is scalable. I made the buildings small, using as many recycled materials as possible. First comes necessity, then comes morality: a stand-alone off-the-grid solar energy system for power and light further reduces the scale of construction/destruction violence. When the batteries run down at night, we go to bed.
Articles
-
Basic Instincts
Matt Jacobson doesn’t just abide by the mantra “less is more,” he wholeheartedly embraces it. His Southern California home is a compact ode to minimal living.
-
Nesting Instinct
If I had a fatter wallet, and a big, spreading tree in my backyard (if, indeed, I had a backyard), I would most certainly covet this cool new product from DEDON: a Nestrest. It's a Hershey's…
-
ID Visit's RISD's Natural Habitat
When I think of biomimicry—a smart, sustainable approach to design that mimics nature's forms and functions—I usually think of ocean-borne wind turbines and the spiral interior of conch…
Products
-
Nature Planter
This beautiful planter from Portland's Design Night would provide the perfect spot for a new collection of flowers and herbs. The larger opening up top allows for a sprout that needs some more…
-
Natural Wood by Novabell
This wood-like floor covering is actually porcelain stoneware. It gives the perfect look for residential and public spaces with the added bonus that it is also environmentally friendly. Stain and…
-
Simrin Nature Coasters
While their hand-drawn graphics may depict the most delicate of dandelions, these vinyl coasters from Brooklyn-based Simrin can withstand beading from any beverage you choose.
Dwell Collection
-
Nature Calls
Whether you're on your way to the beach, the park, or just the back patio, we've got a few handy items to take along for the ride.
Tips
-
Rugs, Naturally Speaking
Look for natural materials, which can be incredibly long lasting as well as earth-friendly. The biggest consideration with rugs is who’s making them; there are organizations that certify…
-
Reuse, Recycle and Replenish
Reusing material is the least expensive and most creative way to reduce the environmental impact of your building project. The best sources are usually nonprofit reuse stores like Habitat for…
Event
-
Lifelike
Lifelike invites a close examination of artworks based on commonplace objects and situations, which are startlingly realistic, often playful, and sometimes surreal. This international group…
Table of Contents
Advertising
Advertising
Advertising
Related Products
-
Nature Planter
by Tram PhamThis beautiful planter from Portland's Design…
-
Natural Wood by Novabell
This wood-like floor covering is actually…
-
Simrin Nature Coasters
by SimrinWhile their hand-drawn graphics may depict the…
Latest
-
05.23
The Making of Screenplay: Part 8
Jenny Wu, a partner at Oyler Wu Collaborative, documents the…
-
05.23
Veliero Shelving by Cassina
In 1940, architect Franco Albini made a single model of his…
-
05.23
ICFF 2012: Picks from Javits Center
This week we're digging deep into our favorites objets de…
Follow
Dwell
Reloading tweets…
Be the first to comment.
RSS Feed
Add a Comment