The artist workshop is part of a series of conceptual houses designed with the immediate resources available on site. In this case the work is investigating the use of slate and shale in upstate New York. Research of the building material, its characteristics, methods of construction, availability, and strength, were initially investigated. The nearby town of Ithaca is known for its vernacular timber structures, which often sit on top of a slate stone foundation. The stone foundations found throughout the area usually act as basements. These structures provide insight into the types of construction techniques that were once used with local materials.

 

The artist workshop aims to incorporate vernacular construction methodologies in order to continue a dialogue with the existing context. The slate is envisioned to be stacked using dry stone stacking construction techniques for the one story tall building, with lime mortar used only when necessary (i.e. on final course to cap wall for timber roof). The one meter thick walls provide stability through the weight and friction of the stones, as well as interlocking techniques of quoins and throughstones. The inner buffer of storage space acts as insulation in the cold winters, part of which would be filled with organic insulation materials such as wool and natural fibres. Considering the eventual deterioration of the structure as part of the life span of the building, this design aims to minimally impact the surrounding terrain. 

 

The artist workshop is a single large room, similar to the size of a small chapel, with two adjacent courtyards. These three rooms act as a place for creative contemplation and making. The interior walls are lined with wooden cabinets which will house all auxiliary rooms, such as bathroom, pantry, kitchen, storage, and also act as a place to store raw materials and tools for the artist.  A place to eat alongside the kitchen and a place read by a library, occupy two corners. The rest of the space is open for the artist’s creative projects: a large table is used for a painting, drawing and writing surface, while the outdoor courtyards act as places to build larger sculptures and gather materials from the surrounding forest.